Hollister
– Downtown Hollister saw growth over the first half of 2007,
with more stores, restaurants and businesses moving in than
leaving.
Hollister – Downtown Hollister saw growth over the first half of 2007, with more stores, restaurants and businesses moving in than leaving.
From January to the end of June, seven businesses opened or expanded downtown and two closed, said Brenda Weatherly, Hollister Downtown Association executive director. These businesses brought a net total of 28 additional jobs downtown.
Weatherly said it was encouraging to see that overall gains had been made.
“Even though things look bleak sometimes and our impression is things are not looking so great for downtown, the positive is we have more coming than going,” she said.
Bars and restaurants accounted for two of the seven businesses and half of the jobs. The Broken Wing and Cheap Seats Pub and Grub both opened on San Benito Street in the first part of the year, bringing a total of 14 jobs.
“It’s creating a sense of place downtown,” Weatherly said. “You need enough restaurants and nightclubs downtown to make it a destination where people want to come.”
Rather than seeing new restaurants and bars popping up as competition, some business owners said they hope it brings more people downtown to stay.
“I figure we’ll get more customers if people come down and see (us),” said Gil Zuniga, co-owner of Progresso Tamale Parlor.
Julia Otis, co-owner of The Broken Wing, said she is constantly surprised by how many people come to her restaurant saying they never come downtown.
“I hope people realize that in Hollister, this is our niche. It’s downtown Hollister,” she said. “People need to get out of the routine of going to Gilroy and come downtown.”
While gains may have occurred this year, the increase in businesses was small compared with the previous year.
During the same period in 2006, there was a net gain of 11 businesses, which added more than 60 jobs downtown. Still, those who work downtown hope new stores will continue to crop up.
“We hit the bottom, and I feel like we’re coming back up,” Weatherly said.
With the simultaneous opening of The Broken Wing and Cheap Seats Pub and Grub, Otis said she’s noticed more people downtown. She hopes it will continue and more restaurants and bars will open.
“The more people you get downtown, the better it is for everybody,” she said. “I’ve banked everything on that, so I hope it’s true.”
