A home improvement center such as Lowe’s could prove
to be a boon for Hollister and San Benito County.
A home improvement center such as Lowe’s could prove
to be a boon for Hollister and San Benito County.
Although big box stores such as Target, Wal-Mart or Lowe’s are often the antithesis of small, locally owned businesses, we believe such an addition could end up being more beneficial than many may first think.
We believe in shopping locally. And a large home improvement store near the city center is sure to bring additional shoppers to Hollister. It will also encourage residents who would otherwise drive to Gilroy to frequent such stores an opportunity to buy everything from a geranium to a new gas grill without leaving town. In addition to attracting shoppers, such big-box stores often attract other retail and commercial development nearby.
On Tuesday, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors approved a zoning change that will facilitate the placement of a number of retail and multi-family residential buildings on Hillcrest Road along the proposed path of the Highway 25 bypass. Plans for the new development include a 150,000-square-foot home improvement center with a 31,500-square-foot garden center. The property owner said he is in talks with Lowe’s about building a store there.
Some are of the opinion that little old Hollister doesn’t need, or want, a giant store selling everything from kitchen cabinets to power tools. But we believe those folks are wrong. People here do like stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. It’s just that they currently have to drive to Gilroy to shop at one.
In addition to giving locals another shopping option in Hollister, a large home improvement center would also generate much-needed sales tax revenue for the city. Instead of going to Gilroy to buy a big-ticket item such as a riding lawnmower, locals could buy those items here, generating sales tax that helps pay for local police and fire services, parks, roads and more. And, because Hollister’s sales tax rate is 1 percent lower than Gilroy’s, residents of neighboring cities might be inclined to come here to make big-ticket purchases.
It could also potentially create hundreds of jobs, for both experienced pros and for San Benito County’s younger workers. Critics are quick to call these dead-end jobs, but we disagree. If there is one thing San Benito County needs it is more job opportunities for recent high school graduates just getting their feet wet.
A store of this size is certain to have an effect on some small local businesses. But competition can be a good thing and we believe local businesses that have built a loyal customer base with good hometown service will do just fine.
We also have to face some hard facts in looking at this development. Hollister’s downtown is far from the economic powerhouse it once was. And the proposed Highway 25 bypass is bound to become a commercial corridor. We need to make the best of such opportunities, and we think this proposed project is a good start. In the future, as more and more development is planned, it will become increasingly important to work together as a community in preparing for such ventures and determining what sort of commercial development we want and need and where it should go. We encourage local residents, along with the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and the Hollister Downtown Association, to take a strong role in such community planning.
