Hey San Jose, Alyson Chuyang + Nicole Calande here. Between the two of us, we get the privilege of sharing local news, events, and conversations with 56,000+ readers in San Jose, daily — here, and on our socials.

After two months of bringing you SJtoday, we thought we should formally introduce ourselves. Consider this us going in for a fist bump, then switching to a handshake, then settling on a hug.

Meet Alyson Chuyang 🥑

Q: What’s something every new San Josean oughta know about?
A: There is just about something for everyone here, you just have to be open + willing to get involved with our great city — go out to local cultural vendor markets (we have a ton), hike the city’s miles of trails, and stay updated with SJtoday, of course. 😉

Q: If you were taking someone on a tour around San Jose, where are the three places you’re going?
A: We’re grabbing breakfast at House of Bagels by San Jose State’s campus, then heading to Japantown to shop — it’s a great place to find thrifted clothing + streetwear. Finally, we’d hit Downtown for the nightlife since it’s so entertaining. An added extra stop: late night taco truck to get some al pastor + orange sauce.

Q: If you could only write about one San Jose-specific topic for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: If you haven’t gathered, I’m a foodie. I’d love to talk to different family-owned restaurants + local eateries to get the word out about passionate small businesses and the delicious food they bring to San Jose.

Meet Nicole Calande 🍜

Q: What makes you the local expert in San Jose?
A: I grew up here — does that count? Well, beyond that, I’m particularly proud of the fact that I’ve worked at the Tech Interactive, History San Jose + the Winchester Mystery House. I’ve learned so much about this city’s past, present, and future from these iconic San Jose institutions.

Q: Describe San Jose’s personality in three words.
A: Spunky. Entrepreneurial. Proud. 💪

Q: #BeTheBroker: What building in San Jose do you want to see revitalized + what would you do with it?
A: My partner and I had a fantasy about transforming the Burbank Theater on S. Bascom Ave. into a community center + pop-up retail space. The theater was recently purchased, so we’ll have to see how the redevelopment compares with my idea… Closer to home, I’ve also noticed that Western Contract Interiors in Japantown closed, and I think the space would make a fantastic independent bookstore. 📚