The San Benito Blueprint

Heritage Plaza is set to get a Spanish style makeover thanks to an investment from its owners, The Nino Family. We spoke with Mike Nino to learn a little bit more about the center and the project itself.

Background on the Shopping Center

Heritage Plaza is located at the intersection of Airline Highway & Tres Pinos/Sunnyslope Roads. The center currently contains 4 national retailers (Rite Aid, Goodwill, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and the newly opened Brass Tap) and several small businesses. The shopping center is currently one of the oldest in Hollister and located at the busiest intersection in town.

Motivation for the Update

When the Nino Family originally purchased Heritage Plaza they already had their sights set on making it the nicest shopping center in Hollister. The Nino Family, area residents for 30+ years, have primarily focused on subdivision development in Monterey County as Nino Homes, Heritage Plaza was their first foray into a retail shopping center. The Nino’s have previous experience with the Nino Real Estate Building. That building, at 829 San Benito Street, will be the reference point for the remodel of Heritage Plaza.

The shopping centers current design has serious limitations for tenants as far as signage opportunities. The linear style of the center makes street appeal important but the current design of the parapet wall on the roof does not allow for robust signage for tenants. Mike Nino hopes this investment will make Heritage Plaza not only the nicest and most unique shopping center in the city but add some architectural excitement to Hollister’s shopping landscape. He also hope to create a gathering place that can withstand the challenges of the internet shopping era.

Remodel Details

The remodel itself was split into two phases with the first being the construction and opening of The Brass Tap. That involved taking the old Rite Aid garden center and converting it into a restaurant and bar. The front facade of that building offers a preview of what’s to come for the rest of the center. Updates to the centers paint, trash cans, landscaping, and benches were also additions for this phase.

With that portion now completed the Nino’s will turn to the other side of the center starting with the retail strip that includes the new Element Barbershop. This phase involves rebuilding the parapet wall, increasing its height to allow for better signage, implementing a new sign program for the site, and adding unique Spanish-style architectural fixtures including custom iron work and tiles. The Ninos hope to begin the remodel sometime in spring on the retail strip side, moving to the Rite Aid and Brass Tap side after it’s completion.

My Take

It’s great to see this type of an investment in one of Hollister’s most visible locations. The new finishes will likely help with retaining and attracting tenants to the property and contribute greatly to the feel of the shopping center and the intersection!