Sparkling Sparkles on San Benito Street

Have you driven or walked through the sparkling lights of downtown Hollister yet? Photographs do not do the sparkle justice. We can thank the Hollister Downtown Association for making San Benito Street look so festive after nightfall. So, one, two, three. Thank you, Hollister Downtown Association!

FYI: Drapoel, Penny Wise Drugstore, San Benito Bene, Serendipity Gifts, and other shops downtown will be open both Saturday and Sunday. Bertuccio's out on Highway 25 and Union Road always is open on the weekend. That's a good source for local food gifts, too. If you need addresses and Web sites for Hollister shops, go to this page and scroll down to the links.

A note to FCC: I keep telling you, I'm not being paid or given stuff to mention local businesses. I just like them and the people who own and work there. I want them to do well, because I want to keep buying stuff there.

The New Fire Station

Have you seen the new fire station at Fifth and Sally Streets?

It's beautiful. From afar. From up close. Look at it from all sides when you have a chance.

By the way, did you know that the Hollister Fire Department is going to be 137 years old on December 27?

For more info about the fire department, check out these links:

• Hollister Fire Department 
• Fire Department History
• IAFF Union Local 3395

 © 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

Three Sisters

The Diablo mountain range runs along the eastern side of San Benito County. In Hollister, we can see Santa Ana Mountain quite clearly. Just to the north of this mountain is another peak called Three Sisters. Not until I saw it from Spring Grove Road a few weeks ago did I understand the reason for the name. For a different view of Santa Ana and Three Sisters, head over to this earlier post on Take 25 to Hollister.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

Shop Locally: Garlic Festival Foods

I can remember when the fields along Highway 25, near the 101 exit, were full of garlic. That was always a comforting sign I was heading home. There's nothing like the yummy taste of garlic. The smell, too. It is definitely heaven when I drive through that very sweet spot by Gilroy Foods where the strongest aroma of garlic is in the air. Ahhhhhhh.

With the smell and taste of garlic in your mind, have you ever tried any of the spice blends or sauces made by the Garlic Festival Foods?


I hadn't until the Holiday Cheer Shop Hop that took place at the beginning of December. Garlic Festival Foods was a participant. I had no idea its headquarters was located in Hollister; so, of course, I had to check it out. Jackpot! Another source for unique local gifts—garlic mustard, garlic olives, garlic salsa, garlic marinade, garlic condiment, garlic soap, and much more.

Garlic Festival Foods has been in business for 26 years. It is located at 1803 Shelton Drive (off of Fallon Road, by the Hollister Airport), and is open to customers from 8:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday. For more information about Garlic Festival Foods, check out their Web site and/or their Facebook page. Their products are also available at San Benito Bene in downtown Hollister.

To FCC: Does taking a tiny package of spice from the  Garlic Festival Foods' freebie basket for customers count? If so, I did do that. And, does tasting the free samples of food given to customers that day count as well? I did do that, too.

© 2012 Su-sieee! Mac. All rights reserved. www.take25tohollister.com

Holliwood

Holliwood is a new boutique in downtown Hollister. Its slogan is Bringing a little Hollywood to Hollister. How cool is that! 

The shop is owned by Christie Martin, who has been a jewelry designer for 20 years. She has worked in the jewelry fashion industry for 10 of those years in Hollywood. Cameron Diaz, the Olsen twins, Beyonce, Pink, Cher, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera, among other actresses and singers have bought and worn her jewelry.

Holliwood carries jewelry and clothing at affordable prices, according to its Web site. It's located at 748 San Benito Street (west side), near the corner of South Street. For more information, check out the shop's Web site and Facebook page.