Silicon Alleys: Makers' Market A tour back in time of the grocery stores that helped make San Jose what it is December 23, 2020 by Gary Singh MEMORY LANE: The former Franco's Supermarket at 13th and Washington streets in San Jose was run by Brothers Henry and Joseph Franco, who once owned a small chain of grocery stores in the South Bay. Photo by Gary Singh With people hoarding paper products or refusing to follow basic safety measures, the obnoxious behavior of certain individuals in grocery stores can turn any columnist into a Scrooge. But in the spirit of the season, rather than lose faith in human potential, I imagined the Ghost of Christmas Past taking me on a tour of long-gone San Jose grocery stores back when life was simpler and small businesses could overcome non-pandemic-related obstacles to succeed. I found that at one point, family-owned markets were exponents of San Jose's character. This was a great history lesson. I found hope for the present and the future.