SAN JOSE — A Japanese market that’s poised to offer an unusual array of features is headed to a choice spot in downtown San Jose, a store that could help bolster retail activity in the city’s vacancy-challenged urban core.
Sakura Market has begun to prepare a space along The Paseo de San Antonio next to South First Street near the Spartan Village housing tower for San Jose State University students.
The grocery store is being launched by Osaka Marketplace, a Japanese supermarket with locations in Fremont and Foster City, according to the retailer’s website.
The retailer has posted “now hiring” signs at the site where Sakura Market plans to open in The Paseo, which is an important downtown pathway that links SJSU to the rest of the downtown.
The market site was once occupied by a 5,000-square-foot Muji store that sold household, apparel and stationery items. After the Muji company went bankrupt in 2020, the downtown San Jose Muji closed its doors…