The annual Independence Rally means big business for some local
merchants. But for others, mostly those that sell merchandise with
limited appeal to bikers, will close their doors for the
weekend.
Hollister – The annual Independence Rally means big business for some local merchants. But for others, mostly those that sell merchandise with limited appeal to bikers, will close their doors for the weekend.
Rally preparations at Johnny’s Bar & Grill began weeks ago. Bartender Sylvia Combie said the bar will probably do 50 times the normal amount of business, with standing-room-only crowds all weekend.
“We’re stocking up on liquor, beer and employees,” Combie said.
This will also be a big weekend for Bill Millar, owner of the San Andreas Brewing Company on San Benito Street. Millar ordered some extra beer for the weekend, but said most of his sales will be food. He said that he expects to sell about three times as much food compared to other weekends, but plans to keep his prices the same. Millar has been open for many years and knows what to expect during the busy weekend.
“I welcome the bikers and everyone else,” Millar said. “With the bikers it’s always please and thank you and rolls of one hundred dollar bills.”
Megan Guerra, owner of the Main Street Bistro, also hopes to have a big weekend.
“It’s a total mad house and it’s already started,” Guerra said. “We’re preparing for tons of people and we hope they come to our restaurant.”
Guerra said that she has not had any problems with rally-goers in the past, and does not expect any this year.
“It’s exciting to have all of these new people in town,” Guerra said. “It’ll be worth it, fun and exhausting all at the same time.”
Deborah Wood, owner of Drapoel on San Benito Street, said that she is stocking some new items for the rally this year. Wood has rearranged her store around to focus attention on summer apparel, which she believes will draw more bikers. She will also be giving away free T-shirts with every purchase.
“It’s worth keeping the store open,” Wood said. “We’re hoping for more sales and less theft this year.”
But others, like Jan Holthouse, owner of sporting goods store Muenzer’s, will close shop for the weekend. Holthouse said that she had tried staying open for a couple of years, but that things just didn’t work out.
“The streets are blocked and we don’t sell the type of stuff that attracts bikers,” Holthouse said.
Martha Blaser, owner of Just Friends on San Benito Street, will also be closed this weekend. Like Holthouse, Blaser does not believe that her merchandise will appeal to the thousands of bikers who swarm into the city for the rally.
“We loose money every time they come to town,” Blaser said.
Like some of the others, Bob Yant, owner of Enterprise Electric Company, will close his store for the rally. Yant’s company has been doing business in Hollister for more than 30 years, but Yant said he will be visiting San Francisco this weekend.
“When I hear they’re coming, I flee,” Yant said.
For Sheila Stevens, owner of She’s, the rally is bad for business.
“It’s a waste of time and money,” Stevens said. “If I lose money, why would I like it?”
She’s, which sells dresses and other women’s apparel, attracts few bikers, Stevens said.
Others take a slightly different approach to the upcoming invasion. Ty Holmquist, owner of Country Rose Gallery and Frame Store, knows that few bikers ride up to Hollister to purchase artwork and frames, so he’ll be renting out his store to Biker Design, a T-shirt company that will be in town for the rally.
Raven’s Pet Safari will take a similar approach, but it definitely won’t be business as usual. Manager Junior Zavala said the shop will be open for the weekend, but won’t be selling much pet food. Instead, the front of the store will be converted into a picture studio were bikers and others can pose for pictures holding different animals.
“We’ll have a huge python, a couple of tortoises and possibly a large lizard,” Zavala said.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
