The Holy Trinity Religious Gift Shop, 193 McCray St. Suite 301, behind KFC in Hollister, opened its doors for business on April 1, 2016.

Proprietor Triny Vaca’s reason for opening a religious store stems from her personal faith. “I believe in God and I’m responsible to bring out his love,” she said.

Vaca said that if someone had wanted to buy a religious item — a Bible, for instance — there wasn’t a place in town where they could get one. “This stimulated my interest in a Christian store,” she said.

She and her husband, Isaias, have two sons, Adrian, 12 and Isaias, 10.

“I couldn’t make it without my husband," Vaca said. "He brings a lot of good ideas.” She mentioned how he moves items around and builds what is needed in the store.

There are positive, faith-inspired messages noted within the store on clothing items, such as T-shirts and sweatshirts for men and women with slogans such as,  “Not Perfect, Just Forgiven.” One has "Psalm 23:4" writing on the shirt.

Then there are other items, such as gift cards, jewelry, statues, and books for all ages, wall hangings and tote bags. There is clothing and accessories for first communion, baptism, weddings, and quiñceanera celebrations.

“If a customer wants an item that we don’t carry, I will find it for them, in catalogues,” Vaca said. “We also rent tables and chairs."

Triny, her twin sister, another sister, and a brother immigrated to Hollister from Zacatecas, Mexico in 1999, with their parents.

“My dad had the responsibility to arrange for all the legal document process, and when we got here, I was 16 years old," she said. “I started at San Benito High School in 2000, and it was a challenge. I was not familiar with American high school regulations, and had to work really hard. It was difficult but it was fun, too. I’m still working on language skills."

Triny met Isaias, who immigrated to the U.S. from Guanajuato, Mexico, in high school and were married in 2003.

She worked in retail at both Target and Kmart, and then became a paraprofessional working in the third, fourth and fifth grades in the local school district.

“I loved it,” she said about working with the children in school.

Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For information, call 831-265-7478. Also, visit The Holy Trinity Religious Gift Shop on Facebook.