Downtown San Jose is set to lose one of its most beloved and iconic eateries as 4th Street Pizza Co. prepares to close its doors after 16 years of serving the community. The popular pizza shop, a favorite among local politicians, city workers, and residents, will cease operations by October when its lease expires. Bayview Development Company, the property developer who acquired the building prior to the pandemic, plans to demolish the structure to make way for a new multi-story development.
For over a decade and a half, 4th Street Pizza has been a consistent presence in San Jose’s rapidly evolving downtown core. Opening in 2006, shortly after the construction of the new San Jose City Hall across the street, the pizzeria quickly became a go-to spot for city employees, elected officials, and students from nearby San Jose State University. Co-owner Josh McGhie expressed his deep emotions regarding the impending closure and the impact it will have on his life and the neighborhood.
“This restaurant is the culmination of our life’s work,” McGhie told San José Spotlight. “We are losing everything at the end of this — my retirement, my livelihood—everything.”
Downtown San Jose had been experiencing significant growth before the pandemic, fueled by major tech companies planning expansions, including Google’s ambitious multi-billion-dollar campus project aimed at bringing thousands of employees to the city center. However, the pandemic dealt a severe blow to the downtown economy. Foot traffic has been slow to rebound as many companies continue remote work policies and San Jose State University students only recently returned to campus in significant numbers.
Despite renewed development activity, downtown San Jose faces increased competition from upscale shopping destinations like Santana Row and Westfield Valley Fair. Adding to the challenges, a recent report highlighted the grim economic conditions prevailing in the downtown core.
Image alt text: Exterior daytime shot of 4th Street Pizza San Jose storefront, street view showing signage and outdoor seating, marking closure of long-standing pizza business.
McGhie and his business partner, Daly, attribute the closure to the devastating impact of the pandemic. They are not alone; San Jose city officials estimate that between 35% and 40% of the city’s 60,000 businesses were forced to shut down during the pandemic, some permanently. Daly noted that downtown San Jose has historically been a challenging environment for businesses, particularly since the 2008 recession, but emphasized 4th Street Pizza’s resilience and success in adapting and thriving despite these difficulties.
A Downtown San Jose Institution
“We are an integral part of the downtown fabric, precisely what downtown needs,” Daly stated to San José Spotlight. “We established our business here because of the City Hall development, and we have constantly adapted over the years to sustain and expand our operations.”
Jerry Vignato, a long-time friend of McGhie and Daly, lamented the loss of 4th Street Pizza, viewing it as a loss of San Jose’s cultural identity. He expressed sadness at the changing character of downtown, believing it to be 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. “Sadly, these guys did everything right to run a successful business. But downtown is simply not what it once was.”
Loyal Customers Lament the Closure of Favorite Pizza Spot
Regular patrons of 4th Street Pizza Co. expressed their dismay upon hearing the news of the restaurant’s impending closure. Nancy Maldonado, an employee of the city’s finance department, shared that prior to the pandemic, she and her colleagues frequented the restaurant almost every Friday.
“This is truly sad,” she said. “For those of us working at City Hall, it’s one less convenient and enjoyable option for lunch or after-work gatherings.”
Lam Nguyen, an aide to San Jose Councilmember David Cohen, told San José Spotlight that 4th Street Pizza has been a constant in his adult life in San Jose. He described the restaurant’s closure as a bittersweet moment, reflecting the city’s growth and evolution.
“There’s always this delicate balance as we see our city grow, between preserving the elements that are deeply rooted in our cultural history and accommodating the city’s need for development and progress,” Nguyen explained. “Having to choose between these two aspects is never something anyone welcomes.”
City records indicate that Bayview Development’s plans for the site involve constructing a u-shaped building featuring six stories on the 4th Street side and four stories facing East Santa Clara Street. The new building is slated to include retail spaces and office units. San Jose Project Manager Rina Shah informed San José Spotlight that the project is currently undergoing review under the California Environmental Quality Act. Notably, the existing building is recognized as a city landmark.
Other downtown business owners who spoke to San José Spotlight shared their sadness over the loss of another long-term tenant. Sameer Shah, co-owner of Voyager Coffee, stated that the situation with 4th Street Pizza encapsulates the dilemma many downtown businesses face regarding development.
“We all aspire for downtown San Jose to reflect its status as a major city, but at what cost?” Shah questioned. “That’s the fundamental question: is displacing established businesses worth the potential benefits of future developments?”
Contact Jana Kadah at [email protected] or @Jana_Kadah on Twitter. Contact Lorraine Gabbert at [email protected].
