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Call To Action for HDA
Members on New Courthouse
During the December meeting of the
Hollister Downtown Association's Board of Directors, presiding Judge
Steven R. Sanders and Executive Officer Gil Solorio discussed the
future of the San Benito County courts and their location.
A new courthouse will represent an
advancement of justice for our citizens, as well as a point of pride
for our downtown region and community, but plans to build a new
courtroom facility on the site occupied by the old Fremont School
cannot move forward until seismic issues with the existing courthouse
are resolved to the State of California's satisfaction.
Pending 2006 legislation
(previously known as SB10 in 2005) may provide a resolution to the
seismic issues, and members of the Hollister Downtown Association are
urged to write Senator Jeff Denham and Assemblymember Simon Salinas
for their support in this matter.
Bridal Tour Comes to
Hollister on February 25
 Is your business looking for a
venue to promote services related to weddings, quinceaneras, or other
special events?
The Hollister Bridal Tour will be
conveniently located in historic downtown Hollister where potential
clients will be able to meet and compare businesses featuring flowers,
catering, music, limousine service, formal wear, cakes, jewelry -
virtually everything they will need to make their day unique and
memorable.
Businesses may participate in the
event even if they are not located in downtown, as several locations
are prepared to host compatible services.
More information (hours, logistics,
etc.) is available upon request.
Click here to download Bridal Tour information and registration form.
*Adobe Acrobat required
The HDA, in partnership with the City of Hollister
Redevelopment Agency is hosting a series of business development
workshops and in-store consultations in January.
Click Here for for more information
*Adobe Acrobat required
The Power of Your Windows
As small business owners, we often
underestimate the "power" of our storefront windows and the impact of
the displays we build. The art of displaying products and showing off
services by utilizing storefront windows is a visual way to
both stimulate and educate the customer. In pedestrian heavy
locations, the visual display a business creates in their windows is
often the difference between walking in and walking by.
Most small businesses have heard
about or know the most important techniques for a great window
display, including:
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Always start with clean windows,
inside and out, and never have dead bugs
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Change your displays at least
every four weeks, more often if located in a high pedestrian area
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Good lighting is essential, even
during the day
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Know the impact of sunlight on
products and displays
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Make sure mannequins have hands
and feet
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Use themes and holidays to help
develop a window display calendar
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No handwritten signage, no
exceptions
Read more....
*Adobe Acrobat required
Lani Lott is president
of L.L. Consulting and consults with small business owners throughout
the southwest helping them to develop cost-effective strategies for
attracting customers.
Hollister Downtown
Parking Survey Results
Respondents made it clear that they have strong
feelings about parking in downtown Hollister. A total of 50 downtown
Hollister area business responded. Nearly half, 24, believe
parking to be adequate, and several more said it is adequate provided
some enforcement mechanism is in place. However, only 17 are
happy with the current level of enforcement.
It is hardly surprising that the current lax
enforcement picture was most popular with businesses that have little
or no customer traffic. Retailers are much more sensitive to the
issue.
Two respondents mentioned the former theater site
at Seventh and San Benito as an option for increased parking.
Several respondents mentioned the Fourth and San Benito parking
structure. Nearby offices report that visitors prefer to
trespass on their private lots rather than use the garage. The
perception that the garage is unsafe also lingers. Two nearby
business owners reported that the garage gets more use than many
drivers believe.
HDA Committee Updates
Interested in knowing what activities our various committees are
engaged in? Simply visit our website at
www.downtownhollister.org/projects.htm
to see monthly committee updates.
What's Important To
You?
Would you like to know more about a
specific issue facing the downtown area or our community? Let us
know if there is a specific topic you would like to have us cover in
our newsletter by emailing
info@hollisterdowntown.org.
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