Van was one of the first Vietnamese to open a home shop in the area. But it's not just Vietnamese. Around the corner on King, Ana Estam, an immigrant from Mexico, sells herbs, jewelry, perfume and clothes from her remodeled garage. Estam opened Ana Novedades in January after closing one of two variety stores in a shopping strip on Story Road. In many counties throughout the country, strict zoning laws greatly restrict the nature of home businesses, but in parts of East San Jose zoning ordinances allow a mix of commercial and residential uses.
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.