Bay Area/ San Jose
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Published on June 20, 2024
End of an Era: Diaz Menswear in Downtown San Jose Closing After Nearly 40 YearsSource: Google Street View

After nearly four decades of operation, Diaz Menswear, a familiar fixture in downtown San Jose, is shuttering its doors. The owner, Alfredo Diaz Velazquez, has chosen retirement over renewing the store's lease, according to KRON. Although the lease ended on May 31, Velazquez plans to keep the establishment open until the end of July to conduct a final retirement sale. Visitors can stop by the shop, located at 70 E. Santa Clara St., every day from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. during this period.

Since its inception in 1985, Diaz Menswear has been a go-to spot for men's apparel, shoes, and accessories, featuring popular brands such as Levi’s, Wrangler, and Dickies. "If you bring good service to the customers, the customers keep coming back," Velazquez said, as per KRON, reflecting on the key to his long-standing success. The business has thrived not only on Velazquez's dedication to customer service but also through the steadfast support of his family, "The key is to work hard and also have a family that supports you," he expressed. Velazquez has credited both his loyal customer base and his family's encouragement for the business's longevity, as cited by KRON.

In a post on Diaz Menswear's Instagram, Velazquez and his wife Maria announced the official start of their final chapter before retirement, inviting the community to partake in the closing celebrations. The upcoming retirement not only marks the end of an era for the Diaz family but also represents a shifting landscape for local businesses in the downtown San Jose region.

Expanding their availability for their final sale, Diaz Menswear has updated their operating hours to be open seven days a week, as they shared in another Instagram post. "NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! As we near our closing, we’re now open on Sundays. We’ll be open between 10:30am and 8pm every day until our closing at the end of the month!" Diaz Menswear's Instagram announced. The couple plans to embrace retirement fully, with travel and leisure on the horizon – starting with a trip to Disneyland, as stated humorously by Velazquez in conversation with KRON, "In these 40 years, he owes me," his wife Maria added with a laugh, hinting at the personal sacrifices made for the sake of the business.