After years of sewing for herself and her family, Hollister
resident Myriam Mendoza decided to venture onto a grander scale and
offer her services to the public.
Mendoza, who opened Alterations, Repairs and More, has been in
business for about a month.
After years of sewing for herself and her family, Hollister resident Myriam Mendoza decided to venture onto a grander scale and offer her services to the public.
Mendoza, who opened Alterations, Repairs and More, has been in business for about a month.
Because there aren’t many places in Hollister that provide quality alterations, she opened the store at her husband’s behest, said her daughter and translator Ivanna Santos.
“I have taken so many classes on sewing,” Mendoza said. “I’ve made dresses for myself and (my family)… I’ve worked very hard to open the shop.”
Concentrating all her time on alterations, Mendoza is able to charge very reasonable prices and service a quick turnover, she said.
“Customers leave very happy,” she said. “When they said they want it for Friday, I will call them to come in on Wednesday or Thursday (to pick up their items).”
Customers have brought in everything from pants, shirts, skirts, jackets and dresses to be altered, as well as patterns to have items made, she said.
“One person came to have covers for pillows made, and I’ve made clothes and curtains also,” she said.
Business has been steadily increasing. The one or two customers at the shop’s inception have blossomed into more and more activity with each passing day, Mendoza said.
“I’m happy that the customers come back,” she said. “I’m very proud that I’m doing it and (the store) is doing good.”
As with any small business, all of Mendoza’s time is spent at the shop. She works from 10 a.m. until around 7 p.m. and does everything herself – the alterations, the sewing, the ordering, the accounting and so on, she said.
Because she isn’t well-versed in English, her family helps out by translating for customers.
Both her daughters, Belen and Ivanna, spend much of their after-school time at the store helping her converse with her clientele.
Within the next three or four weeks she plans on offering crystal jewelry from the Czech Republic to her customers, and hopes that with her hard work and talent she can someday expand, she said.
“I hope that the store gets bigger,” she said. “And that more customers come and that they (stay) happy.”
“Alterations, Repairs and More” is located at 140 San Felipe Road, and is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For questions or assistance with any sewing needs, call Myriam at 638-0923.
