Richard Hobbs has worn a lot of hats in his career — immigration lawyer, founder of the nonprofit Human Agenda, a Peace Corps volunteer and a trustee for the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District. But he probably didn’t expect to add “restaurant owner” to that list.
Last fall, a friend told Hobbs that Peanuts Deluxe Cafe, a greasy-spoon hangout for San Jose State students on East San Fernando Street, was for sale and the SJSU alum decided to jump in and took over in October. He’s tinkered with the interior decor and the menu, but the big change he has planned will be to turn it into a worker-owned business.
“I’ve helped create three worker-owned cooperatives, and I wanted to show that a different model is possible,” Hobbs said before a grand reopening ceremony Wednesday. “That’s really important because we know that there’s growing inequality, especially in Silicon Valley, but everywhere. And this is an example where the workers will make all the decisions democratically and share in the profits.”
Peanuts Deluxe Cafe owner Richard Hobbs on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in San Jose, Calif. The restaurant, which has been a San Jose State hangout for at least 50 years was reopened last fall under new owner Richard Hobbs, who plans to make it into a worker’s collective. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Peanuts Deluxe Cafe owner Richard Hobbs, center, poses for a photograph with Sergio Macias, left, and city council member Peter Ortiz, right, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in San Jose, Calif. The restaurant, which has been a San Jose State hangout for at least 50 years was reopened last fall under new owner Richard Hobbs, who plans to make it into a worker’s collective. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Exterior of Peanuts Deluxe Cafe on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in San Jose, Calif. The restaurant, which has been a San Jose State hangout for at least 50 years was reopened last fall under new owner Richard Hobbs, who plans to make it into a worker’s collective. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Dining room area of Peanuts Deluxe Cafe on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in San Jose, Calif. The restaurant, which has been a San Jose State hangout for at least 50 years was reopened last fall under new owner Richard Hobbs, who plans to make it into a worker’s collective. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Patrons fill the dining room area of Peanuts Deluxe Cafe on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in San Jose, Calif. The restaurant, which has been a San Jose State hangout for at least 50 years was reopened last fall under new owner Richard Hobbs, who plans to make it into a worker’s collective. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
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Peanuts Deluxe Cafe owner Richard Hobbs on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in San Jose, Calif. The restaurant, which has been a San Jose State hangout for at least 50 years was reopened last fall under new owner Richard Hobbs, who plans to make it into a worker’s collective. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose City Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, whose district includes Peanuts, said keeping small businesses open, especially longstanding institutions like Peanuts, is critical to maintaining street life and making downtown attractive for everyone. He’s also a fan of the plan to make it worker-owned.
“I think it’s a model that has a lot of potential. I’m excited to see them trying out that model here,” he said.
Hobbs said he also wants San Jose State’s 40,000 students, as well as the surrounding community, to rediscover Peanuts, which first opened in 1964, as a go-to venue. It had long been a breakfast-and-lunch joint, but Hobbs expanded the hours Thursdays through Sundays and added a dinner menu with fish and chips, chicken and steak.
There are also different events on Friday nights, with monthly game nights, jazz performances, a meeting of the Solidarity and Unity Network and a program called “Dinner and Dialogue: Strategic Discussions for Social Change.” If this sounds a lot like student hangouts from the politically charged 1960s and ’70s, the resemblance is intentional.
“There’s so much to talk about right now given the Trump administration. People are looking for answers, and they’re looking to share with each other,” Hobbs said. “So we want Peanuts to be a location where people can come and dialogue, develop their own plans and try to move the community forward.”
CREATIVE CASTING: New Ballet San Jose’s production of “Giselle” at the Hammer Theatre Center next weekend will have a few interesting cast members joining the regular company dancers.
New Ballet dancer Mikey Desai-Knight will be on stage performing the role of Albrecht during a hunting scene with his husband, Udbhav Desai, and their dog, Chum Chum. The couple live in downtown San Jose, where Chum Chum has likely been practicing en pointe.
Casino M8trix Vice President Rob Lindo is also going to be making his New Ballet debut in a walk-on role in all three performances of “Giselle,” which are at 2 and 7 p.m. May 16 and 2 p.m. May 17. Get more information at newballet.com/spring.
ART AND ABOUT: Silicon Valley Open Studios is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month, and that longevity certainly shows that people really like the idea of visiting artists where they work — getting a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and perhaps picking up a new piece for their collection.
More than 370 visual artists from South San Francisco to San Jose are taking part in this year’s event, which is in its second of three weekends. That’s not just painting, but sculpture, jewelry, photography, pottery, metalwork, textiles and a lot more.
Artists from the mid-Peninsula will be in the spotlight this weekend, May 9 and 10, while the final weekend, May 16 and 17, will focus on South Bay artists. That last weekend will include Sonya Paz, who had a Campbell gallery but moved out of the Bay Area in 2015. She’ll be part of a group of 18 artists showing off their newest pieces together at Carol Woodard’s residence in Saratoga.
The studios are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and you can check out a map of exhibit locations, as well as a gallery of participating artists, at svos.org.
