Community rallies around San Jose's Japantown businesses facing closure

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Customers showing up at JTown Pizza in San Jose were disappointed to see it was closed indefinitely.

The owners alerted their loyal customers on social media, citing financial hardships. The pizza joint and bar had been in the area for nearly six years.

JTown Pizza, Spread, Jack's Bar, and 7Bamboo are all owned by Jordan and Rina Trigg.

They've called this beloved, historic neighborhood home for twenty years and had dreams of expanding their footprint.

"We took a leap of faith and wanted to invest even more into the community after coming out of COVID," Jordan Trigg said.

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After running into continuous hurdles with a new business venture, the situation spiraled and the Triggs are still struggling to recover.

"We raised our kids here, we met here, and we still want to stay here," Jordan Trigg said. "We still believe in Japantown and San Jose."

Former San Jose councilman Raul Peralez and many in the community are now rallying, hoping to fundraise enough money to help the Triggs. The businesses are more than just a place to eat.

"It's really difficult because if we lose some of these businesses, essentially we lose a lot of the places we can come and hang out and be a community," said Judy Mol, who works in Japantown.

"I hope they're able to keep them going. That's a lot of jobs and really good food, both going away," said John Cypert, who lives in the neighborhood.

For now the Triggs are holding on - not just to their restaurants, but also to the memories made inside them and the regulars who felt like family and made this space feel like home.

"It's been awesome. It's been really good. That's why we're still fighting we just want to be in the community," Jordan Trigg said. "Instead of throwing down the tent completely."

"People have had their weddings here, their 50th birthdays here," Rina Trigg said. "It's been a great spot for the community to come together."