For 2022, downtown association is discussing a Wine, Art, and Music Stroll as well as a Food & Wine Week in April.

By David Dindak

David Dindak

Holy Moses! What a wild ride 2021 has been. If the saying “the older you get, the faster time flies” is true, then being a downtown business owner and MHDA board member makes me feel like I am 101. As we close out the year, let us look back to see where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Recalling what seems like a millennium ago, though being charter-specific to downtown, MHDA decided to help all city restaurants struggling with remaining afloat during the COVID shutdowns.

We drove a Meals For Heroes program, supported by the Chamber of Commerce 2021 Woman of the year Carolyn Wallace, Morgan Hill Community Foundation, and donations from local businesses and many of you. Participating restaurants delivered more than 1,000 lunches to healthcare workers at St. Louise and DePaul medical centers for several weeks and we thank everyone who graciously donated time and talent.

Thanks to Safeway, former Councilmember Larry Carr, and Councilmember John McKay for orchestrating vaccine clinics at Sobrato High School and the Community Center. MHDA board members volunteered many hours to help the clinics run smoothly. And we also thank our Rotary and the community for providing the bulk of volunteers.

The hugely successful Brew Crawl in the fall was our only large event this year. Participating services, retailers and restaurants were elated at the turnout, and we thank everyone who came downtown that day.

Our 2nd Annual Car Cruise was a great success as well. Gearheads from the Cars & Coffee meet paraded through town showing off the coolest cars and trucks. Many stayed afterwards enjoying our restaurants and retailers.

Recently, MHDA member retailers wanted to host another Ladies’ Night Out. Again, in a spirit of inclusion, downtown businesses supported businesses and restaurants from the entire city. Please keep your eyes open for Ladies’ Night dates in the future.

Finally, with the financial support from the city, we once again organized the Holiday Tree Lighting at the Community Center for the enjoyment of all.

For 2022, we’re already discussing a Wine, Art, and Music Stroll as well as a Food & Wine Week in April. The Brew Crawl and Car Cruise will take care of September and October. The rest of the year is being planned too, including the resumption of quarterly mixers. All dates TBA.

We are always looking for new ideas and events, so please, don’t hesitate to contact us. Additionally, if you and your organization are looking for a worthy cause, we welcome volunteer help for our event committees and events.

To fill you in on some news, the city has just brought in a new Unhoused Outreach coordinator. Don’t hesitate to call the city when you think someone needs that help. Our hearts go out to everyone without a place to live, especially when it’s cold and rainy.

The Downtown Safety/Beautification/Lane Reduction project is moving along to the design phase. The next council discussion is set for Jan. 19. Sushi Confidential is coming downtown and planning a January opening. Giorgio’s Italian will be downtown as well, looking for a late spring opening. So, keep your antennas up for more news.

There’s always a lot of things happening here in town and it’s hard to keep up. For more information, contact the Morgan Hill Downtown Association at (408) 779-3190 or at www.mhdowntown.org; the Chamber of Commerce at (408) 779-9444 or at www.morganhillchamber.org, and Visit Morgan Hill at www.visitmorganhill.org.

That’s all for this month, folks. On behalf of MHDA and board members, wishing you the bestest and safest holiday season.

See ya next year!

David Dindak

David Dindak is the president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association and the owner of Bubble’s.