Businesses in Downtown Hollister fight for permanent parklets

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION) - Business owners in downtown Hollister are asking for clarity on the future of parklets in the city.

Business owners say they want to keep the parklets because they provide more business for their respective restaurants.

"We increase our sales probably 30% and also, we hired more people," said Gustavo Gonzalez the General Manager of La Catrina.

Gustavo says he says these parklets adorning the streets of downtown Hollister for the last three years are important to business. Owners at La Micheladas Bar and Grill agree.

"It just it adds a sense of security for us business owners just because without the parklets," says Kassandra Ramirez. "I don't have much business left just because the inside inside the restaurant, it's only a couple of tables for us."

Parklets sit on parking lots and offer additional seating. It's a program that thrived during the pandemic.

The city has covered the costs for the rental of each spot at about $425. The city is discussing whether to keep that program in place.

"We had talked about that and we're actually talking about bringing a resolution back to make them permanent," says Hollister Mayor Mia Casey.

Businesses and the city both recognize the environment the parklets brings to the downtown area.

And have seen more people visit downtown since the rise of the parklets.

In the case the city decides to not make them permanent -- Ramirez says she would at least like a heads up.

"I was just hoping for for them to say that they would make it permanent or give us a resolution of like, is there an end time, is there a date just so I can prepare ahead as much as we can, especially with the way things are right now economically? It's a it's a lot of uncertainty. So if we can have at least that so we make sure that we don't invest too much into them," says Ramirez.

During the meeting the city passed a resolution for signage on the parklets so they could have more of a cohesive look.

The mayor says they would revisit the topic at a future city council meeting.