Some homes fall into county jurisdiction, which has less restrictive zoning laws. San Jose enforces the regulations when it gets complaints, which is rare, said Jim Derryberry, director of San Jose's Planning, Building and Code Enforcement. The neighbors often don't mind the home shop next door because they shop there. Her customers, like many frequenting other home shops, are working-class families who are Vietnamese, Filipino, Hispanic and white Americans. Tran, the tailor, said most of her customers are from the surrounding neighborhood as well.
Low prices are the big attraction.
There's also the comfort factor. Many of Home Perms' customers are older Asian immigrants who may not be comfortable seeking services from a mainstream salon. Some come from as far as Fremont and Pleasanton to be coiffed at the home parlor. These particular home businesses thrive on a special kind of community. Most are doing well financially.