A San Jose institution, cherished by local politicians and downtown denizens alike, is facing closure. 4th Street Pizza Co., a cornerstone of the city’s dining scene for 16 years, will be shutting down its operations by October as their lease comes to an end. Bayview Development Company, the property developer who acquired the building prior to the pandemic, intends to demolish the structure to pave the way for a new multi-story development.
In the ever-evolving landscape of downtown San Jose, 4th Street Pizza has remained a steadfast presence. Since its inception in 2006, just a year after the inauguration of the new San Jose City Hall across the street, the pizza establishment swiftly became a go-to spot for city employees, elected officials, and students from the nearby San Jose State University. Co-owner Josh McGhie expressed his struggle to come to terms with the impending loss of his business and its impact on the community.
“This restaurant is the culmination of our life’s work,” McGhie stated. “We are losing everything at the end of this – my retirement, my livelihood – absolutely everything.”
Prior to the pandemic, downtown San Jose was experiencing significant growth, fueled by major tech companies’ plans for expansion, including Google’s ambitious multi-billion dollar campus project. However, the pandemic delivered a severe blow to the downtown economy. The recovery of foot traffic has been sluggish, as many employees continue to work remotely and San Jose State University students have only recently returned to campus in significant numbers.
Despite renewed development activity during the pandemic, downtown San Jose is grappling with competition from upscale shopping destinations like Santana Row and Westfield Valley Fair. Furthermore, a recent report has painted a concerning picture of the downtown core’s current state.
4th Street Pizza Company in San Jose, a long-standing local pizza restaurant at 150 E. Santa Clara Street, is closing down after 16 years. The photo shows the exterior of 4th Street Pizza, a neighborhood favorite in downtown San Jose.
McGhie and his partner Daly attribute the pandemic as the primary cause of their business downturn. They are not alone; San Jose city officials have reported that approximately 35-40% of the city’s 60,000 businesses were forced to close during the pandemic, some permanently. Daly noted that downtown San Jose has consistently presented a challenging business environment, particularly following the 2008 recession, but emphasized 4th Street Pizza’s ability to adapt and thrive despite these difficulties.
A Downtown San Jose Institution
“We are an integral part of the downtown fabric, precisely what downtown needs,” Daly emphasized to San José Spotlight. “We established our business here because of the City Hall development, and we have had to adapt countless times over the years to sustain and grow.”
Jerry Vignato, a lifelong friend of McGhie and Daly, believes that San Jose is losing a piece of its cultural identity with the closure of this pizza shop. He expressed sadness over the changing character of downtown, perceiving it as a change for the worse.
“Downtown used to be the vibrant heart of the city, but I don’t see the same energy and people anymore,” Vignato told San José Spotlight. “Unfortunately, these guys did everything right to run a great business. But downtown is simply not what it once was.”
Customers Lament a Favorite Pizza Spot
Regular patrons of 4th Street Pizza Co. are disheartened by the news of the restaurant’s impending closure. Nancy Maldonado, a city finance department employee, mentioned that pre-pandemic, she and her colleagues frequented the restaurant almost every Friday.
“It’s truly sad,” she said. “For those of us working at City Hall, it’s one less convenient and enjoyable place to have lunch or unwind after work.”
Lam Nguyen, an aide to San Jose Councilmember David Cohen, shared with San José Spotlight that he has been a customer of 4th Street Pizza throughout his adult life in San Jose. He described the restaurant’s closure as a bittersweet moment.
“As we witness our city’s growth, there’s always a delicate balance to strike between preserving elements of our cultural heritage and accommodating the city’s need for development and progress,” Nguyen commented. “Having to choose between these two aspects is never a pleasant decision.”
According to city records, Bayview Development’s plans involve replacing the current pizza shop with a u-shaped building featuring six stories on the 4th Street corner and four stories facing East Santa Clara Street. The new building is slated to house retail spaces and offices. San Jose Project Manager Rina Shah informed San José Spotlight that the project is currently undergoing review under the California Environmental Quality Act. The existing building is recognized as a city landmark.
Downtown business owners who spoke with San José Spotlight expressed their sadness at the loss of another long-term tenant. Sameer Shah, co-owner of Voyager Coffee, stated that the situation of 4th Street Pizza encapsulates the dilemma many downtown businesses face regarding development.
“We all aspire to see downtown San Jose evolve into a vibrant, big-city environment commensurate with our city’s scale and importance, but at what cost?” Shah questioned to San José Spotlight. “That’s the crucial calculation: is the displacement of established businesses worth the projected benefits of future developments?”
Contact Jana Kadah at [email protected] or @Jana_Kadah on Twitter. Contact Lorraine Gabbert at [email protected].
