Mt. Pleasant Center

Nestled on the border of East San Jose and Alumrock there’s a small shopping center called Mt. Pleasant Center. The shopping center has been a hub of both areas for many years.
There are some big stores in the shopping center even though the center is small. There’s a large Safeway, CVS, and a Fitness 19. There are smaller corporate stores like Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Baskin-​Robbins. Then there’s even smaller stores like H Salt Fish and Chips, Century Dry Cleaners, several clothing stores including San Jose Blue Jeans, a laundromat, Mount Pleasant Bottle Shop, Phở Lam, and Mount Pleasant Barber Shop.
One night every year is special to many residents of the East San Jose and Alum Rock areas, It’s called Hot San Jose Nights. After attending a show at the Fairgrounds during the day, everyone heads over to park their cars at the Mt Pleasant Center. They hang out talk about their rides and socialize with car clubs from around Northern California.
There’s rarely any problems and the array of classic cars, muscle cars, low-​riders, and bombs is amazing! Close your eyes and imagine walking through rows of restored and partially restored cars while you’re listening to tunes of the 50s and 60s. And if you’re from that area… You’ll see a lot of people that you knew from Elementary, Middle, and High School. You’ll reminisce the past, you’ll be amazed how much everyone has changed, and you will see old friends, their families, the cars, it’s just amazing night!
So if you’re in the area of East San Jose stop by the Mount Pleasant Ctr. and patronize the small businesses there. And when you go there ask about Hot San Jose Nights. Basque in the Chicano Culture of East San Jose, and enjoy a walk through memory lane.
Just a final note to the businesses of Mt Pleasant Center… East San Jose would not be the best place to live without you! Orale!