Mayor Tony Bruscia can’t put an exact number on how much the
rally contributes to Hollister’s economy, but he did say it has a
huge impact on keeping the town afloat.
Mayor Tony Bruscia can’t put an exact number on how much the rally contributes to Hollister’s economy, but he did say it has a huge impact on keeping the town afloat.
“This rally contributes to everyone, including nonprofits and local business who may not be able to stay open year-round without the profit from this weekend,” he said. “Think about the waitress who makes great tips this weekend. She might turn around next week and use that money to go shopping in town, so it all comes back to the community.”
In 2003, the city of Hollister received roughly $50,000 in sales tax from the event, and Rex Miller, interim director of administrative services, said with 60 more vendors this year, the city can expect to see a higher return in 2004.
For every dollar spent, the city gets 1 cent, so every customer that spends $100 on merchandise gives the city $1, according to Miller.
Biker Rich Stillwell, of Fresno, said he and his wife spend at least $200 each when they roll into town for the weekend.
Along with supporting the city, the bikers’ presence helps local businesses stay on their feet. This is Faultline Coffee Roasting and Bagel Co. Owner Steve Breneman’s first year running his business during the rally. All the downtown merchants he’s talked with say they wouldn’t survive financially without this event.
“It’s hard for us to make good money being downtown,” he said. “I think a lot of the merchants down here feel left out because people tend to shop and eat more at the shopping malls. Without this weekend, I think a lot of us wouldn’t be able to stay in business.”
Breneman hopes to quadruple the profit he makes during a regular Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
Luis Sanchez, owner of Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant, has been feeding the hungry bikers for four years, and said this is his biggest weekend of the year.
“We make at least 60 percent more than usual this weekend,” he said. “Not only that, but the people are such great customers. I have made some good friends during this weekend.”
Mark Moronez, manager of the San Juan Inn, also loves the rally guests and said this is the most profitable weekend of the year for the hotel. On a normal weekend, San Juan Inn charges roughly $89 a room and rents 20 to 30 rooms. During the rally, the rates shoot up from $169 to $179 a night and it’s full to capacity.
“I’m happy for the hotel because of the business, but personally, this is my favorite weekend of the year because the guests are such great people,” Moronez said.
Along with the businesses, local non-profits use the weekend to fund raise. The United Methodist Church of Hollister has been holding its Biker Breakfast for the past eight years, and Reverend Ardyss Golden said the church usually raises around $10,000 a year.
“It pays an enormous amount of our bills and allows us to be able to have certain programs available to people,” she said.
The rally may be centralized downtown, but it isn’t just the city merchants and organizations that benefit from the event. Helen Riddle, manager of the 19th Hole Bar in Tres Pinos, said the weekend is extremely busy for her business as well.
“A lot of them come out to Bolado Park to hang out so they stop in here when they pass by,” she said.
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