LEFT : Dan McCranie ' s Ladera Grill remained open at 75 % of sales while utilizing just 25 % of capacity outdoors under the shroud of C-19 . CENTER : Elle Honl , Gallery Director - Colibri Gallery . LEFT : Dan and Kathy McCranie opened Colibri Gallery Nov 2020 to wide public enthusiasm and support . Dan attributes the success of both establishments to a combination of factors including local government and the support from residents of Morgan Hill .
Mike ’ s Pizza on Condit Road , Morgan Hill Orthopedic Sports Therapy , and Paige Day ’ s Photography on Monterey Road . Additional businesses slated to open include : Country Waffles , Poki Bowl , Burritos Tacos Y Mas , Papa ’ s Place , and Lang ’ s Chimichurri .
“ When times are good the community looks to businesses through donations and things of that nature , and I think the community in turn has done what they can to support our businesses through this challenging time ,” Lang said .
Gilroy has also experienced emerging interest from new businesses owners .
“ We have seen new businesses begin to open and have had a number of conversations with others who are looking to start their own businesses ,” Mark Turner , President / CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce , said .
“ We are inspired and encouraged by those who see an opportunity and are willing to go after it . It speaks to the entrepreneurial spirit and determination of our people .”
Walton credits Gilroy residents ’ personal connection with local business owners as a huge benefit . “ We ’ re all on the same page in trying to keep the small businesses here because we recognize the importance of their uniqueness ,” he said . “ The Downtown Association has pivoted and put a lot of effort into helping the businesses , as has the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor Center .” He said they ’ re also seeing a lot of support from nonprofit organizations .
Gilroy resident and developer , Chris Vanni , of Vanni Properties , Inc ., successfully completed The Patio project this year , despite the pandemic , although it took longer than anticipated . The Patio is an expansive new commercial complex , home of the new restaurant Brew City Burgers and Starbucks , is located at the corner of Santa Teresa and First Street .
“ We had enough activity and … enough interest and we were able to generate enough leases right up front ,” Vanni said , adding that in June 2019 construction began with an anticipated completion of March / April 2020 .
Due to a six-week shutdown of construction and Covid-19 ’ s new safety protocols , the completion of the project was delayed by more than four months . The vendors previously secured , Starbucks and Brew City Burgers , stayed committed to the project , while a
LEFT : Kelly Brewing Company has forged ahead during the uncertainties of mandated regulations like many small businesses in Morgan Hill and Gilroy . CENTER : Gilroy Chamber of Commerce President / CEO Mark Turner . RIGHT : Visit Gilroy California Welcome Center ' s Jane Howard led refocused marketing strategies to help small businesses . Innovation and collaboration by Gilroy and Morgan Hill business groups and individuals are leading a new resurgence in both communities .
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SPRING 2021 gmhtoday . com
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