Hollister – Jeri Hernandez wants to bring a touch of home to downtown Hollister.
Four weeks ago, Hernandez opened Serene Home, a home decoration and accessory store at 243 Sixth St. And community support has been strong, she said.
“My motto is, ‘It’s a gift for you and your home,'” Hernandez said. “I just felt there was a need for it.”
Serene Home has benefited from its location next to the popular sandwich shop The Elegant Touch, Hernandez said. Many diners end up peeking into Hernandez’s store, too, and many of them promised to come back once they’ve finished their Christmas lists.
With the closure of Dick Bruhn, Serene Home is one of the few local stores to offer “men’s gifts” such as golf equipment, flasks and cigar cutters, Hernandez said.
Hernandez describes herself as a “San Jose transplant.” But with 21 years in Hollister, she’s hardly a newcomer to the area.
She used to juggle her job as a professional chef with a position at French’s Kitchen & Bath Collectibles & Gifts. At the beginning of this year, Hernandez decided to “retire” and open a store of her own.
Running a businesses may not seem like a particularly relaxing retirement, but Hernandez said it will be a nice break from the physical demands of catering.
“I’m not 25 anymore,” she said.
Wachovia Unveils Downtown Bank
World Savings Bank is gone from 575 San Benito St., but company spokeswoman Eileen Leveckis said loyal customers don’t need to worry.
Wachovia acquired World Savings in September 2006, but only officially converted 149 California locations on Thursday, Leveckis said. World Savings’ customers already have been notified about the change, and the transition should be seamless, she said.
“It really has no impact to customers,” she said.
Locals may benefit from Wachovia’s presence, Leveckis said, because the North Carolina-based bank offers “a much broader and deeper set of products.” The University of Michigan has rated Wachovia the top bank for customer service, she added.
“It’s an eastern bank, but with this acquisition, it should be their first foothold into expanding into the west,” Leveckis said. “I know some people may be thinking, ‘Who needs another big bank?’ But there’s a real need for a bank like ours.”
