Television news cameras were in Willow Glen again this week, but this time there was no bad news … no Hep-A … no violence … no media hype.

ABC 7 interviewed several business owners in Downtown WG, focusing on what smaller retailers have to do to be successful this holiday season.

“This year was really healthy. We had a great Friday and a great Saturday,” says Lance Maurer, store owner.

Lance Maurer owns Urban Sports in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood. His running sports store has to compete with mall stores year round, especially during the lucrative holiday period. He can’t stock the same running shoes or gear that some of the mall stores stock, nor can he afford their advertising budget or online presence — so he does more with less

“We have to put in more hours to stay competitive with the malls and stay open later. We have to do more with fewer people.”

The online article included updates from the owners of Sugar Magnolia and Bella James, and additional perspective from SJSU lecturer Michael Solt.