Coffee shop, Christian books focus of remodel
Though it has been a long and arduous path for the owners of
Kelly’s Gift Place in Hollister, the desire to transform their
store into something more is getting under way.
Coffee shop, Christian books focus of remodel
Though it has been a long and arduous path for the owners of Kelly’s Gift Place in Hollister, the desire to transform their store into something more is getting under way.
As a way of getting around the building moratorium some businesses are getting creative. The owners of Kelly’s Gifts, Todd and Kelly Owczarzak, are shifting the emphasis of their store to include Christian books and will be opening a coffee shop to attract more business.
The Owczarzaks are attempting to convert 20 percent of their current store to incorporate a Christian bookstore and a coffee shop.
“In looking around, we’d noticed that Starbucks has no room for people to meet,” said Owczarzak. “Hopefully we can draw more people Downtown. The Downtown won’t survive if people don’t stop by more than just around Christmas.”
For most of the last year, Owczarzak and his wife have been attempting to work with the city to make the necessary modifications to improve their store, but Owczarzak is growing frustrated and said that this will be the final push.
“Everyone says that they want this, but they need to allow us to do what we need to do without breaking our backs,” Owczarzak said.
The Hollister Downtown Association, at least, has been supportive.
Hollister’s Downtown is cyclical, according to Hollister Downtown Association Executive Director Brenda Weatherly. There is only so much that can be done with what is already here, so Weatherly is excited for the potential Kelley’s gifts could hold.
“It’s a great idea to expand their offerings,” Weatherly said. “I think we need a bookstore and a coffee shop that’s open after 5 p.m. This should be good for the downtown.”
Weatherly wasn’t sure whether this type of business move would help other downtown businesses, but she was hopeful.
“I don’t know if this could help spur more business, but one can always hope,” Weatherly said.
President of the Hollister Downtown Association, Marilyn Ferreira was also excited.
“A change could be positive for the downtown,” Ferreira said. “We have a lot of restaurants on that block, so having a coffee shop there will be beneficial. Having a bookstore will also help. Another positive is that it could also help other businesses.”
This type of development is a good allotment, according to Weatherly, because it evokes change while still staying within the parameters of the moratorium. More businesses could evolve in such a way, she said.
“Kelly is being very forward looking. She sees a need and is addressing that need within her own square-footage,” Weatherly said. “We need more entertainment downtown.”
They would like to complete the renovations to Kelly’s Gifts within two months, Owczarzak estimated the job should be completed before July.
“These aren’t extensive changes, we really just want to put back what the Shippers’ originally had in the building,” Owczarzak said.
Patrick O’Donnell can be reached at po*******@pi**********.com.
