Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
San Jose’s Little Italy came alive last week with vibrant decorations, local food stands, and live music.
The downtown neighborhood buzzed with energy Sept. 19 as hundreds of people explored vendor stalls showcasing local artisans, enjoyed fresh slices of pizza from local restaurants, and took in live performances that embodied the vibrant spirit of Little Italy. The event, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., was organized by the Urban Vibrancy Institute, a local nonprofit that collaborates with communities to revitalize San Jose from pandemic economic woes.
Taylor Mayer, who attended the event with her young daughter, was eager to enjoy the warm weather and discover a different part of San Jose.
“I’ve visited a few businesses in this area, but I didn’t realize there was so much more here, so it’s wonderful to find all these new restaurants and shop owners,” Mayer said.
According to Joshua DeVincenzi Melander, president of group Little Italy San Jose, the block party provided an essential boost to local businesses still recovering from the pandemic.
“All the businesses certainly saw a big increase in business and also exposure — people still don’t know about Little Italy so this event was good for awareness as well. For example, during the event we opened the Italian Museum in San Jose for the first time, and hundreds of people got to see it,” he said.
Many booth owners at the event saw it as a valuable opportunity to boost their businesses. Anita Leiva, owner of the Peruvian doll company Utku Kids, welcomed any chance to attract customers after the years of challenges.
“I started my business years ago but had to shut down because the pandemic made it difficult to continue,” Leiva said. “However, my passion for traditional textiles and my Peruvian heritage motivated me to start up again two years ago. Events like this are critical in helping my business get back on its feet.”
The Urban Vibrancy Institute, in collaboration with San Jose’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs, has been instrumental in organizing these block parties. As part of their broader mission, these events aim to bring life back to San Jose’s smaller districts by creating a platform for local vendors and drawing foot traffic to struggling neighborhoods. The Little Italy event was the latest in this series, with the next block party planned for Oct. 17 at City Hall on 200 E. Santa Clara St.
In addition to offering immediate support to businesses, the Urban Vibrancy Institute views these events as a key step toward the long-term revitalization of the area. The nonprofit aims for attendees to discover new businesses and become loyal customers, contributing to the sustained growth of communities like Little Italy.
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Jay Meduri, owner of Little Italy’s Poor House Bistro, witnessed firsthand how a previous block party in Little Italy helped his business flourish.
“Last year, people came to the block party not even knowing Little Italy existed. They had a great time and ended up returning later as customers. I expect the same will happen after tonight’s event,” Meduri said before Thursday night’s party.
With the success of this block party, anticipation builds for the next event in October, which will feature over 30 businesses, providing opportunities for small businesses to introduce themselves to new customers. With events like these, San Jose is one step closer to bouncing back from pandemic economic and social hardships.
Ella Polak is a senior at Leland High School in San Jose.
