San Benito County is fortunate to have a business that promotes locally grown and made products. Five years ago, Kathina Szeto started her small shop, San Benito Bené, in downtown Hollister.
Since she opened her doors, Szeto has researched, gathered and touted the bounty of the county. She took on the challenge of researching and finding small artisans and making their crafts available to shoppers. “We’re always happy when people, especially young people say, ‘Hey, I didn’t know we did that here.’ They are so surprised to learn we have goat dairies and lavender growers,” Szeto said, enthusiastically listing local chocolatiers, artists, authors, craftsmen and jewelers who make products for her store.Â
Szeto is founder of the San Benito County Olive Festival, which helped put San Benito on the local, slow-food map. “For me, it was a celebration of culinary agriculture. It was meant to be for foodies and families,” Szeto said in a brief interview. “We wanted to welcome our neighboring communities and create a platform where growers can share their expertise with our visitors.”
In her shop on San Benito Street, in the center of downtown Hollister, Szeto takes the time with customers to tell them about the different farmers and growers she knows and what makes their products unique. “The shop was created to help revitalize downtown and be [art of the solution,” she said. “I decided to do this  because I was so amazed by the local artisan talent. I wanted a place to showcase it and provide a gift shop at the same time.”
This Saturday, the public is invited to sample the winning recipes from San Benito Bene’s olive oil/balsamic recipe contest at its fifth anniversary party. The locally-inspired gift shop stocks food items, like rubs and marinades, exotic olive oils and flavored vinegar, as well as body products and jewelry. Â
Anniversary party details
Sat., July 16Â Â
615-B San Benito St., HollisterÂ
11:30 a.m.-2:30Â p.m.Â
Free.
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