Published in the May 14-27 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Cheri Devlin
Cheri Devlin
As downtown continues to evolve with new retail and food options keeping Monterey Road fresh, the Granada Theater is one landmark (albeit temporarily in renovation mode) that has stayed a constant. And with the Granada Preservation Society gearing up to re-open its doors this summer to play host to films and other community events — including the next Morgan Hill Downtown Association Mixer June 2 — we are sure to stay on track with keeping downtown a destination. But why limit our target audience to the adults?
Since moving to Morgan Hill in 2011, much of my focus on downtown has been around the comfortable vibe I feel when I’m strolling down Monterey with my husband and toddlers — and why wouldn’t it be, my kids are all younger than 5. But when I started thinking about some of my friends’ kids who are older than mine, I started wondering, where do they hang out? Sure there’s In-and-Out and FroYo, which I hear are both regular teen hangouts. And yes, I enjoy both. But nothing downtown really came to mind. With all the downtown improvements in the wings, why aren’t we putting more emphasis on creating a youth-friendly downtown community?
This idea of creating a welcoming feel downtown for our youth really started to resonate after I read the Morgan Hill Life story last month that highlighted feedback provided at the third annual Uniting Our Community for the Success of Our Youth Conference. When I think about establishments downtown that welcome our youth, the reality is, even though a lot of our restaurant options are family friendly, they aren’t exactly screaming teen club, come hang out here. I’d like to believe the Granada could become that place. A safe environment for high school students to socialize, catch a movie or a comedy show, and a quick bite to eat. The movie ends, but curfew still has a couple of hours left on the clock, encouraging the next stop two doors down at Grinds Vines & Automobilia Café for gelato and a seat at open mic night.
Owner Renee Carrillo, who is also the chair of the Granada Preservation Society, is one business owner downtown with the forum and formula to cater to the full spectrum of ages. With her building expansion last year, Renee has a unique platform for youth to promote their musical talents. Combine that with the comeback of the Granada, a perfect stage to showcase their acting ability and improv skills, this could quickly become the perfect remedy to embrace what Morgan Hill teens need to make them feel like their company is welcomed downtown. Who knows? Maybe the next new eatery in town will specialize in burgers and shakes, and air hockey battles that will give franchises along Cochrane Road a run for their money.
First thing’s first. Let’s keep the Granada alive — and support the fundraising efforts being led by the society. And along the way, let’s not lose sight of the importance of embracing our youth and helping to establish an all inclusive downtown Morgan Hill.
Cheri Devlin is a Morgan Hill resident and President of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association Board of Directors. She is an Associate Director at KPMG, LLP who loves writing about life as a working mom. Find her blog at www.talesofcorporate-mommyhood.blogspot.com.
