Downtown Hollister Historic District: 800 San Benito Street

Running Rooster and Intero Real Estate Services occupy the historic commercial building at 800 San Benito Street that was once the home of Tiffany Ford. A contributing building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District, it was constructed in 1935 for Tiffany Ford, which was established in 1910. Tiffany Ford was in the downtown location until 1999 when it moved to current location on San Benito Street. Click here to see how the building looked in the late 1990s.

This one story Spanish Revival building has two L-shape sections. For many years, the building was white. It has two towers, but only the northern tower (Running Rooster's entryway) is original.  Click here to see a photo of how the tower looked when Tiffany Ford owned the building.  The southern tower (Intero's entryway) was added within the last 10 years or so, which compliments the building quite nicely.

Originally, the north section of this structure was used for car service and repair, while the south section (facing San Benito Street) contained the car showroom and offices. Notice how the windows in the photo below are set in each section of the wall. Once upon a time, windows filled the sections. Click here to see how it looked.

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 427 San Benito Street

One of my favorite commercial buildings in the Downtown Hollister Historic District is located at 427 San Benito Street. I like the unique look of the cornice with it raised center and corner sections and the tiled awnings and the windows of the top floor. That part of the building reminds me of Europe. Italy, perhaps. What do you think?

The two-story historic structure is another contributing building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District. It was constructed around 1915. The storefront on the first floor, however, was remodeled in the early 1970s.  Cheap Seats Pub & Grub put up the baseball cap awning when it opened sometime in the 2000s. The baseball cap is another thing I like about this building.

Today is Our World Tuesday, and that's where I'm hooking up. Click here to check out what bloggers from around the world are sharing at this fun meme.

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 201 Sixth Street

The one-story commercial building at 201 Sixth Street is another contributing edifice to the Downtown Hollister Historic District. Just like the historic building featured yesterday, this one was constructed around 1940 and has corrugated metal siding. Interestingly, the building's gable roofs are made of sheet metal.  The building has two storefronts. Cheung Sheng, a popular Chinese restaurant, occupies the east side, with its entrance beneath the red dragons. 

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 756 San Benito Street

The historic commercial building at the northwest corner of San Benito and South Streets has been home to various businesses throughout the years. Currently, it is home to the Country Rose Cafe. For many years, the building served as a grocery store with a butcher section.

A contributing historic building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District, it was constructed in 1933 by Tony and Frank Borelli, according to Welcome to Historic Downtown Hollister, a walking tour pamphlet by Sharlene Van Rooy. The Borelli brothers designed their store to be a drive through. It was known as the Public Drive-In Market.

The photo in Ms. Van Rooy's pamphlet, showed a car entering the market on San Benito Street and another car leaving on South Street. The white recessed decorative panels that you see on the east and south faces of the building mark the entrances and exits for vehicles.

Once upon a time this decorative cut-out was an archway
for cars to enter the Public Drive-In Market on San Benito Street.

These former archways are on the south side of the building. In the photo
in Welcome to Historic Downtown Hollister, a car was leaving the market
through the archway on the left.

Today is Our World Tuesday, and that's where I'm linking up this post. Want to see what's going on in other parts of the world? Then, please click here.

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 730 San Benito Street

Felice Forno, the new popular pizza joint in Hollister, is located at 730 San Benito Street, which originally was the building of the Hollister Free Lance.  The  structure is another contributing building to the Downtown Hollister Historic District.

According to the National Register of Historic Place, it was constructed around 1907. You can still find signs of the Hollister Free Lance on the face of the building. Near the edge of each side is a handsome tile of a knight known as a free lance, who was willing to work for anyone who paid him. By the way, check out what mythical animal the free lance is spearing.

Interestingly, from the front, the  building looks like it is two stories. Yet, when you look from the side or the back of the building, you can see that the top is a fake facade. Is it really a two-story building? Do those windows on the "second floor" open? Maybe someone else can tell us.

The Small Town Feel and Comfort

I just love it! This is looking south on College Street from the Ding-a-ling Cafe during breakfast. That cafe has some of the best salsa around. I like spreading it on my pancakes, followed by syrup. Yummmmm!

Stopping at Casa de Fruta

Casa de Fruta is a pit stop haven for drivers, including the men and women who operate those big rig trucks and trailers. Originally opened in 1908 as a fruit stand, Casa de Fruta is located on California Highway 152, several miles northeast of Hollister.

The fruit stand is still there, which sells fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts, dried fruits, jars of olives, bottles of hot sauce, pickled vegetables, and much, much more.  But, if you're hungry for a hot meal or a piece of pie,  head over to Casa de Restaurant. Just want to snack on candy and such, then try Casa de Sweets. Or, if you're not the designated driver, you might consider sampling Casa de Fruta's own wines at  Casa de Wine. The kids can have fun riding the Casa de Carousel and the Casa de Choo Choo, or pan for gold at the Casa de Sluice. If you need a place to rest your head, you can get a room at Casa de Fruta's Peacock Inn or a space at the RV Park.

The Casa de Fruta grounds is a good size, so you can get in a decent stretch if you walk from the fruit stand to the RV Park and back. And, if you walk by the trees on the east side of the choo-choo tracks, you can check out vintage tractors and other farm equipment. 

Oh, yeah, there is a gas station at Casa de Fruta, in which you'll find Casa de Burrito inside.

Today, I'm hooking up with The Weekend in Black and White. To see other B&W photos by bloggers around the world, please click here.

The Wiry Dragon of Hollister

Well, there are actually two wiry red dragons in downtown Hollister. Both fearsome, but friendly, metal creatures sit atop Cheung Sheng, the restaurant at the corner of Sixth and East Streets. 

Changes

Downtown Hollister has been hopping the past few months. New businesses are springing up as well as old businesses are revamping themselves or moving locations.

Opening at 730A San Benito Street will be Forno, a pizza restaurant. Yes, the same Forno that sold pizza at the Hollister Farmers Market. Currently, the owners are remodeling the store front where Conchita's Bakery used to be.  As for the bakery, it moved to 710B San Benito Street, at the corner of Seventh Street.

The Ding a Ling Cafe

The owner of the Ding a Ling Cafe at 696 Fourth Street is a former Haybaler. And, it shows. Part of her restaurant's decor is a tribute to the mighty fine Balers. My favorites are the tables painted with the block H.

The Ding a Ling Cafe has been a mainstay of Hollister breakfast restaurants for over 50 years. The restaurant has relocated several times since, including a long stay at the Hollister Airport. When I was a kid, I remember the restaurant being further east on Fourth Street near Fremont School. I always liked repeating "Ding a Ling" a bunch of time whenever I saw its sign. What kid wouldn't, right? Someone once told me that the restaurant got its name from the little bell that hung above the door.

The Ding a Ling Cafe is open every day for breakfast and lunch. The food is delicious and the portions are generous, including the mini-plates. The service is friendly, prompt, and courteous.

Country Rose Cafe

I hadn't been to the Country Rose Cafe since it moved to its new location on the corner of San Benito and South Streets. Yes, I know, the restaurant has been there for more than a year. In my defense, I've sworn off large portions so I mostly dream about where I'd love to eat breakfast in town. And, I have to say, we are fortunate to have quite a few from which to choose.

Anyway last Friday, a childhood buddy came for a visit so we headed downtown for lunch. Because neither of us had a preference, we tossed a coin. My first reaction upon entering Country Rose was how cute it is. It's open, spacious, and festively decorated. A perfectly fun place to hang out and catch up on stuff with a friend.

Country Rose still serves an ample plate of breakfast, which my friend had a good time polishing off. My crisp green salad with a bleu cheese dressing was very tasty. And, I liked that our cups of coffee kept being refreshed as much as we wanted. I also liked that there was no sense of having to hurry through our meal.

After going out the cute red doors of the Country Rose Cafe, we took a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood, including a stop at the Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast. Hmmm, I see a theme for this week's posts happening.  Stay tuned.

A San Benito Street Reflection

As I passed by the  Best of Times Cafe the other morning, I couldn't help but stop to take a photo of the reflection in the restaurant's window.  Wouldn't you?

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La Catrina

There's a new restaurant in town. It's called La Catrina. I have yet to go, but I've heard some good reviews by folks who have given thumbs up on the quality of the food and customer service.

"La Catrina is the feeling, the energy, and the authentic taste of the Mexican Grill," states the owners on the restaurant's Facebook page. The restaurant is located at 449 San Benito Street, near the corner of Fifth Street.

The Best of Times Cafe

Meet Paul. He's one of the new owners of The Best of Times Cafe. Yesterday, he and his partners, Dave and Rachael, officially took it over from Terry.

I met Paul at their booth at last week's Farmer's Market. He's been in the restaurant business for a long time and is very excited about this new venture. He says that the restaurant will maintain the same menu and gradually introduce new items that may interest customers. For instance, Paul says they'd like to add steak to the menu and also try out gluten-free items.

Buona fortuna, Paul, Dave, and Rachael!

And, best wishes to you, Terry! Thank you for establishing the Best of Times Cafe.

JJ's Burgers

Hands up. Who else likes to eat a hamburger and garlic fries from JJ's Burgers in San Juan Bautista?  Droooool.

If they gave me an hour, I think I could complete JJ's Burger Challenge: A burger consisting of four patties, grilled onions, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and special sauce, along with a milk shake and fries. But, you must consume it all in 20 minutes. The prize: A free meal and your photo on the Wall of Fame.

Adam Richman of Man vs. Food ought to try the challenge. Don't you think?

The Cozy Cup Cafe

Owned by Chef Frank and Wendy Halayay, the Cozy Cup Cafe is a comfy place to eat where generous portions of delicious food is served with good cheer. You'll find it at 380 Fourth Street, conveniently located near the new California Superior Court of San Benito County and many of the San Benito County offices.  The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch. For more info, call 831-637-3730.

The Wizard's Cafe

When you're driving north on San Felipe Road, do you sometimes notice the Wizard's Cafe on the right as you're passing by the airport? If you're like me, you think, "Gee, I forget about the Wizard's Cafe." Or, if you haven't been there before, maybe, "I should try it some time."

The Wizard's Cafe is a neat diner run by Corbin for its employees and customers. It's also open to the public. According to Corbin's website, the cafe is open from Thursday to Saturday, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. 

And, yes, that's a mural of Marlon Brando's character from the movie, The Wild One.

Hollister Tamales and Tee-shirts!

Here's another local tee-shirt that outshines any fictional one! If you want one, head over to the Progresso Tamale Parlor on 230 Third Street.

Cheap Seats Pub & Grub

"Hey, Husband! Did you know the awning is in the shape of a baseball hat?"

"Yes. You never noticed that?"

In the seven years or more that Cheap Seats Pub & Grub has been around, it never dawned on my that I have been looking at or walking under a very huge baseball cap. What it actually reminds me of are those nightclub awnings in the 1930s movies. Sometimes the obvious just goes over my head. I was in my 30s when I realized that the logo of the Shell Station is a shell. Duh.

Dunneville Cafe & Market

Have you tried the tri-tip sandwich at the Dunneville Cafe & Market yet? Mine was very tender and oooh so very delicious. After the Husband took his first bite, he didn't think it was too far to drive for a take-out sandwich and fries.

The restaurant is on the northwest corner of San Felipe Road and Shore Road, about nine miles from downtown Hollister.  You can also eat there. It has both indoor and outdoor seating. The patio is lovely and relaxing. And, if you're into bocce ball, or want to try it out, regulation bocce courts are available.

Dunneville Cafe & Market opened in 1972, but a store has stood at that corner for many, many years. When I was a kid, I knew it as Dunneville Store. Our family lived behind it, and I remember going to the store a lot to purchase candy, Nehi soda, and comic books. In my mind's eye, I can see the  candy display around the cash register and the comic book stand in the front window on the left of the door. Ah, yes, nothing like good memories. If you'd like to read another one of mine about Dunneville Store, click here to go to my other blog, Don't Be a Hippie.