Business venture starts with gift store in Hammond
Hammond — Karen Maravilla and Ray Garcia believe in the resurgence of downtown Hammond.
It would be impossible to duplicate the history, but the couple nevertheless envisions a “new” popular, busy destination for visitors.
To that end, they have purchased three downtown properties and recently completed a retail store in one of them, It’s Just Serendipity.
“If you talk the talk, you have to walk the walk,” Garcia said of the business venture. “When people ask me, ‘why Hammond?’ I say ‘why not?’ I want to make an impact here.”
When It’s Just Serendipity opened its doors last week, about 400 people were in attendance. The retail store carries gifts, antiques, furniture and food items, among other things.
“I can’t believe we are in downtown Hammond,” said customer Tracy Renetta of Hammond. “When I moved back from Texas a few years ago, everything down here looked like a ghost town. But this store may just open up everything again.”
Renetta said she has attended downtown events, such as the “Christmas Story” celebration at the Towle Theater last year, and the Bizarre Bazaar street fair. “When you see so many people at these things, you do start to believe that Hammond will come back. Not the same as it was, but in a more modern way. I’m excited about this,” she said.
