Showing posts with label local business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local business. Show all posts

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Saturday Errands in San Juan Bautista


Hellllooo! Yes, it has been a while. I am alive and well, thank you very much. Officially retired I am, so there you go. I've been catching up with the Husband who has been in every-day-is-a-Saturday mode for years.

This morning we actually got out of the house early to do errands in San Juan Bautista. First stop was the Pinnacle Farmstand in San Juan Valley for fresh locally grown organic vegetables and fruit. Only past 9:00 a.m., the place was already full of customers with potatoes, broccoli, beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions, lettuces, squashes, cantaloupes, apples, and other produce in their baskets and reusable bags. We're fortunate to have a source for organic vegetables and fruit in the area.

From the Saturday-only produce stand, we meandered the back roads to the Mission City. The further west we drove, the deeper we went into the morning fog. At Prescott Road, we turned left onto San Juan Highway to town while the fog veered to the right to head back to the coast.


It was a hard choice for breakfast: San Juan Bakery or Vertigo Coffee ? Vertigo Coffee or San Juan Bakery? The Husband let me choose, so sweet of him. 

Vertigo now serves delicious pastries, baked on the premises. The last time we were there, we had a peach scone with our mocha latte. Sigh, sweet delightfulness.

Because it had been awhile, I opted for the bakery where the Husband and I shared the last ham and cheese croissant that was in the display case We also split a raspberry and cream cheese croissant, and each had the perfect bite of an apple fritter doughnut hole. Droool. It's a good thing we don't live within walking distance to the bakery.


If I had remembered to wear my hiking boots we would've walked up the De Anza Trail for a bit. Instead we wandered a couple of blocks, peeked into store windows, and read signs about upcoming events. We also sat for a short spell on a comfy bench, enjoying the beautiful morning and saying hello to passersby.

Our last stop in San Juan was Vertigo Coffee where we purchased a bag of their roasted coffee beans, which comes with a free cup of coffee. Whooo-hooo!

See ya.


Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Calavera Coffee


Yippieeee!

Hollister has a new go to place for a cup of rich, hand roasted specialty coffee. It's called Calavera Coffee, run and owned by local coffee guru Evan Morris. Today was his second day in business. As the Husband and I walked through the door, we were welcomed with infectious happy smiles.


Evan and his assistants serve coffee from Vertigo Coffee Roasters in San Juan Bautista and Cat and Cloud in Santa Cruz. You can purchase your latte, Americano, mocha, and other coffee drink to go or to enjoy in the patio.


Calavera Coffee is located at 364 7th Street in downtown Hollister. It's in the cute grey house with the gorgeous garden that's home to The Garden Shoppe n' Bar, a fun loving plant boutique and wine and beer bar established by another local entrepreneur, Marci Huston.   You can't miss the red and white awning in the front to tell you that you have arrived.


Currently the coffee bar is open Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to noon. As Evan and his assistants get settled in, they plan to stay open until 2:00 p.m. Visit Calavera's Facebook or website for updated hours.



Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Book Browsing for Book Lovers


Once upon a time, when I was a much younger thing, Hollister had the best bookstore around. It was called Henry's. (Or was the bookstore called Henry or Henrys? That's how long ago it was.) It was on San Benito Street in an old storefront a couple shops to the south of Fisher's Restaurant. The bookshop was run by Mr. and Mrs. Henry, a sweet couple, who had no problem with a much younger me regularly roaming the aisles and checking out random titles, without buying a thing. Ah, the yearning.

Today, Hollister doesn't have a bookstore, independently owned or a well-known chain store. Still, there are places in town for book lovers to browse for a good book or two for fun reading.

I know for sure that Target sells a small selection of new titles for adult and children readers. You can also find a few new books at Nob Hill and Safeway. Maybe Save-Mor, KMart, Walgreen's, and Rite Aid does, too.

The Farmhouse Cafe (615 San Benito Street, Suite D) has a smattering of cookbooks and food-related books for sale. The other day I noticed The Farmhouse Cookbook by Susan Mayor and Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes on the shelves.

Next door at San Benito Bene (615 San Benito Street, Suite B) you can find a few books by local authors such as John Chadwell. The store also sells Hollister, a photo book about the history of our area by Joseph M. McMahon and Peter Sonne. While you're in the shop, be sure to check out the cute blank notebooks and journals for sale. A perfect gift for any writer of any age, novice or professional. (Hint, hint, you know who.)

As for used books, we have several sources in town for fiction and nonfiction books. Two places are nonprofit thrift shops. Forgiving Paws Thrift Shop (195 Meridian Street) is one such store. Another is Hazel's Thrift Shop (898 San Benito Street). It has a room called The Booknook in the back of the store. If you're into collectible publications, you can sometimes find some at Hazel's Treasures Boutique on Hawkins Street behind the thrift shop.

The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library resells used book donations. Often, you can find current titles among their offerings. This nonprofit group maintains sale shelves in the library next to the magazines. Hardbacks are $1 and paperbacks are 50 cents. You can't beat that price. 

This group also holds regular Saturday morning book sales behind the library on West Street. Currently their sales are monthly. The next one is Saturday. On March 11, 2017, from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library for further details about future book sales.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

I Spy . . . Pieces from the Past


I spy with my little eye an old-timey clock and valentines displayed in the San Juan Bakery window. Precious!


Tuesday, January 17, 2017

A Bene Sky


We hadn't seen a tempestuous rainfall as we did last weekend in a long time. Maybe some of you heard about the flooding in Hollister which actually made national, news.  A creek flooded about 10 miles north of downtown in a rural area, causing more than 100 residents, with their pets, horses, and other small animals, to evacuate.  All is getting back towards normal, as far as I've heard.

In the photo, the sign for San Benito Bene also speaks well of the sky above downtown Hollister a few days ago. Yup, we've had delightful sunshine. Just enough to get us ready for this next one, which some weather guys say will start tomorrow and continue to possibly next Tuesday.

Where ever you are, dear Take 25 to Hollister readers,  may you be warm and dry.


Friday, January 13, 2017

I Spy . . . Bwak! Chickens. Kinda


I spy with my little eye cute chickens in a once-upon-a-time barn. . . except they aren't real chickens and the barn is now a bakery.

The  chickens are part of the delightful whimsical decor at the Suncoast Organic Farm Bakery on 6310 Southside Road in Hollister. Have you been there lately? It's about five miles south of downtown Hollister, on a back road parallel to Highway 25 (or Airline Highway, as we oldtimers like to say) The bakery is down a short driveway surrounded by orchards and loveliness.

Artisan breads, croissants, pastries, cookies, granola, soups, sandwiches, ice cream, and more are made at the bakery. The bakery has a patio for customers to relax and eat the goodies they purchase.  To see more photos of the bakery, please check out this post that I wrote last year.

The bakery is only open two days: Friday afternoons (from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m.) and Saturdays (from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

One more thing. Suncoast publishes its menus on its Facebook page. If you share the day's menu and mention it to the bakery's cashier, you'll get a discount on your bill. Nice, huh?




Monday, January 9, 2017

Window Shopping


I love looking into the window at  The Farm/Bertuccio's Market.  You never know what reflection you'll see.

Have you been to the farmstand recently on Airline Highway, just before the Union Road intersection? They now sell organic vegetables along with regular vegetables, eggs, dried fruits, apricot jams and syrups, artisanal olive oils, and other yummy packaged foods. And, when they're in season--fresh, local artichokes. Whooo-hooo!



Friday, December 23, 2016

I Spy . . . a Merry Gnome in San Juan Bautista


I spy with my little eye a gnome of cakes, sprinkles, and fairy tales enjoying himself at the San Juan Bakery on Third Street. 

"While there," suggests the gnome's friends reflecting in the Christmas bulbs, "be sure to try the doughnut-hole size doughnuts. They are the perfect taste of sweetness."

Peace and love, Dear Take 25 Readers. See you in 2017.

Su-sieee! Mac

Saturday, December 10, 2016

I Spy . . . a Jolly Big Red Rig


I spy with my little eye a happy-looking big red truck driving east on Highway 156.

This I spied as I waited in the car at the corner of Union and Mitchell Roads while the Husband bought honey from the local Honey Guy.  


Friday, October 7, 2016

I Spy . . . a Dinosaur!


I spy with my little eye one of the Swank Farms' dinosaurs from the sky. Roarrrrrrrrr!

By the way, the Swank Farms' corn maze and pumpkin patch are now open until October 31, 2016. If you haven't yet, go check out the fun. Swank's is located on San Felipe Road, just north of the Hollister Airport. Look for the dinosaur. For more info, visit the Swank Farms website.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Soaring Above Hollister


Last Friday, the Husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary by soaring high above our fair city. Yup. Through Groupon.com, we purchased discounted tickets for scenic sailplane rides with the Bay Area Glider Rides/Hollister Soaring Center, located at the Hollister Airport. The local outfit has been offering scenic rides, soaring lessons, and glider towing services at the airport since 1993. About four or five years ago, it was purchased by Bill and Sharon, who are originally from Vermont.


Bay Area Glider Rides is the only operation in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas to offer glider rides to the public. Depending on the ride, you soar over 4,500 to 6,000 feet. Two of the scenic rides fly around San Benito County, while the third soars above Monterey Bay.


The sailplanes can accommodate two passengers, but the Husband and I purchased individual rides. The weight limit is 328 pounds for passengers, which uhm the Husband and I exceed. That was fine, more room in the back to sit.


For the Husband's trip, the sailplane was towed to the west, where Pilot Bill and the Husband glided above Fremont's Peak. I was interested in seeing what it looked like above the Diablo range, so that's where Pilot Bill took me.


Here's how ditsy I can be: I thought that the Central Valley starts immediately behind the Diablo Mountains. So, I was very surprised to see a narrow valley beneath the eastern side of Santa Ana Mountain, and that there were a couple other ridges beyond that valley.


Pilot Bill and Jake, one of the Bay Area Glider Ride employees, said it was a clear day for soaring. One of the best days in a long while. From the sailplane, Pilot Bill and I saw the San Luis Reservoir. I thought I could see the Sierras.


Another thing I didn't realize is how near we really are to the ocean. The Husband says that Hollister is about 23 miles from Monterey Bay as the crow flies. Caw, caw. 


Would I soar again?

Is Hollister the county seat of San Benito County?

Friday, September 23, 2016

I Spy . . . A Yellow Door


I spy with my little eye a happy yellow door around the middle of Downtown Hollister. Open the door at 615 San Benito Street and enter the Farmhouse Cafe, a restaurant that opened recently.

I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard many good things about it. Fresh local organic ingredients, friendly people,  and delicious food. What's not to like about that, right?

Farmhouse Cafe is open from Monday to Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Check out the Farmhouse Cafe website to learn more about them.


Friday, August 26, 2016

I Spy . . . Doughnut Holes


I spy with my little eye light and fluffy doughnut holes from the San Juan Bakery on Third Street. Yummmmm. One or two of these glazed nuggets, along with a more substantial pastry and coffee make for a happy breakfast. Once in a while, of course.

The Husband and I like to eat our treats at the cute table outside the bakery or take them down to the park next to the San Juan Bautista City Library. It's a great way to start our morning of doing a bunch of errands.



Friday, August 12, 2016

I Spy . . . Happy Hour


I spy with my little eye a sign for Happy Hour at Vertigo Coffee Roasters in San Juan Bautista!

Vertigo Coffee Roasters .  .  . craft beer by local breweries .  .  . wood-fired brick oven pizza .  .  .  and Happy Hour! What's not to like with that combination, eh?



Friday, July 8, 2016

I Spy . . . a Dancing Cactus


I spy with my little eye a dancing cactus on Fourth Street in San Juan Bautista. Actually, I saw quite a few cacti dancing over there that day the Husband and I were taking a stroll after eating breakfast at Vertigo Coffee. Giggle.


Friday, June 10, 2016

I Spy . . . Dolls!


I spy with my little eye dolls of all types, shapes, and sizes throughout Sherry's Adoptable Dolls and Antiques in Hollister.

I also spy women's vintage and antique hats, purses (oooh, a black velvet clutch made in Italy), china cups, costume jewelry, sheet music, and much more.

This treasure trove is in a cute vintage house located at 890 San Benito Street, between Hazel's Thrift Shop and Grunnagle's parking lot. It's owned by the lovely Sherry Dolfin. She offers so many delightful things from our past to rediscover and enjoy again.

Sherry's Adoptable Dolls and Antiques is open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.



Friday, June 3, 2016

I Spy . . . an Old Coke Machine


I spy with my little eye a once-upon-a-time Coca Cola machine at the Ivancovich's cherry stand on Buena Vista Road. It's where you can wash any cherries that you just purchased and want to eat immediately. Who doesn't want to do that?

The cherry stand is open every day, from around 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until the cherry season ends. The season doesn't last long, so get your fresh cherries soon. Yummm!


Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Happy Face


The Victorian house sporting the happy face is the bed and breakfast in Hollister called the Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast. I haven't stayed there yet, but I've had the opportunity to peek inside. It's warm and delightful. The owners, Tricia and Greg, are friendly souls who sport their own happy faces. No doubt they spoil their guests with sugar and spice and everything nice.

Today is Our World Tuesday, a long-time weekly meme in which participants from around the world share their world. Check it out here.


Wednesday, May 11, 2016

The 2016 Downtown Hollister Farmers' Market


Hollister has its own certified farmers' market. Yes, indeed. The 2016 season opened last Wednesday. Did you make it?

Every Wednesday, until September 28, 2016, the Downtown Hollister Farmers' Market will be from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. on San Benito Street. The main street will be closed between Fourth and Seventh Streets from noon to 8:30 p.m.


The market's layout is different this year.  You'll find the produce booths in the middle part of the market. The food booths are on the south end, near the Veterans Memorial Building. There are tables at both the south and north end of the market for you to sit and eat, rest, and/or people watch.

I saw a variety of new food vendors last Wednesday, selling such items as Puerto Rican sandwiches, Hawaiian shaved ice,  artisan tamales, hot dogs, and fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Yummmm.  To see photos of some of the food booths, check out the "Food Court at the Hollister Farmers' Market" album at Facebook. You don't need to register or sign in at the site to view it.

See you at the farmers' market!




Thursday, March 10, 2016

Window Reflections


What can I say? I like checking the window reflections while walking down San Benito Street. giggle. This is what I saw in one of the windows of Mars Hill Coffeehouse the other day.


ShareThis

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails