Supply company Brannons Medical has been in business since 1969,
but it finally opened its second location
– a Hollister store – in early September.
Hollister – Supply company Brannons Medical has been in business since 1969, but it finally opened its second location – a Hollister store – in early September.
That new location, at 193 McCray St., will allow Brannons to expand into San Benito and Monterey counties, said Hollister manager Greg McMorrow. The company started thinking about growing after Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital contacted Brannons’ San Jose headquarters about providing medical equipment, McMorrow said.
“We really think this is an underserved area,” he said.
Brannons sells and rents products in four key categories: equipment to help with respiration, mobility, sleep therapy and elderly home safety.
The medical company is a family business, McMorrow said. Right now, his wife Jackie Affonso is Brannons’ president.
When it was founded, Brannons split its resources between party supplies and medical equipment, which McMorrow said was a common strategy at the time.
During most of the year, the party business boomed, but medical equipment ensured that money kept flowing during the slow months, he said. “Very few people throw parties from January to March,” McMorrow said.
But the medical side kept growing until it took over the business. Another change, McMorrow said, is the company’s adoption of west highland terrier Murphy – Affonso’s pet dog – as the mascot. Murphy is featured in the company’s advertising and is a constant presence at the San Jose store.
McMorrow acknowledged that many of Brannons’ customers are going through hard situations, but said most people brighten up when they can pet the dog.
“You can tell that it makes a difference,” he said.
