Spring Break
Local businesses face challenges
Jill Abell
Issue date: 10/26/09 Section: News
Rick Jensen, communications manager of the San Jose downtown association, said businesses such as Asqew Grill, Johnny V's, A.P. Stumps Chop House, Blake's Steakhouse and Bar, and Lowry's Irish Coffee House have all closed this year.
One business that will soon close is Branch's Gift Items, where a 75-year-old SJSU alumna is closing up shop.
SJSU Alumna Follows Passion
Grace Branch is the owner of Branch's Gift Items, a custom doll making shop on 77 N. Fourth Street
She said her shop will be closing this December.
Branch said she was the only student of John Leary, a ceramics instructor at SJSU, who opened her own business.
The store has been open since 1973 - right after Branch graduated from SJSU, where she said she has been teaching and selling her artwork for the last 36 years.
"It's always nice to hear when a student goes off and follows (his or her) passion, especially in the arts, and finds success," said Angelique Geiger, a double major in behavioral science and anthropology.
When Branch's moved to Fourth Street, SJSU professors sent ceramics students having trouble to take private lessons with her, she said.
When Branch and her husband purchased their first house, she said she thought she had to find a job and applied to IBM.
Branch said she completed a manual dexterity test, which tests for eye-hand coordination and motor skills.
She said she received an unusually high score, so IBM offered her a job as a salesperson.
"IBM was just three letters to me," Branch said.
She said her brother-in-law tried to persuade her to take the job.
Her husband told her to go back to school and find something she enjoys, so she enrolled at SJSU, she said.
After completing all of her general education requirements at SJSU, Branch said she needed to declare a major.
As IBM had discovered, she was skilled in working with her hands, so she tried some ceramics classes, she said.
One business that will soon close is Branch's Gift Items, where a 75-year-old SJSU alumna is closing up shop.
SJSU Alumna Follows Passion
Grace Branch is the owner of Branch's Gift Items, a custom doll making shop on 77 N. Fourth Street
She said her shop will be closing this December.
Branch said she was the only student of John Leary, a ceramics instructor at SJSU, who opened her own business.
The store has been open since 1973 - right after Branch graduated from SJSU, where she said she has been teaching and selling her artwork for the last 36 years.
"It's always nice to hear when a student goes off and follows (his or her) passion, especially in the arts, and finds success," said Angelique Geiger, a double major in behavioral science and anthropology.
When Branch's moved to Fourth Street, SJSU professors sent ceramics students having trouble to take private lessons with her, she said.
When Branch and her husband purchased their first house, she said she thought she had to find a job and applied to IBM.
Branch said she completed a manual dexterity test, which tests for eye-hand coordination and motor skills.
She said she received an unusually high score, so IBM offered her a job as a salesperson.
"IBM was just three letters to me," Branch said.
She said her brother-in-law tried to persuade her to take the job.
Her husband told her to go back to school and find something she enjoys, so she enrolled at SJSU, she said.
After completing all of her general education requirements at SJSU, Branch said she needed to declare a major.
As IBM had discovered, she was skilled in working with her hands, so she tried some ceramics classes, she said.
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