SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
MAFADA’ S BRIDAL SHOP
Mafalda’ s is the little shop that could. In 1991, Mafalda Frietas started with a small place on Westwood Drive; today she has a large, colorful and expansive bridal shop on the corner of Fifth and Monterey. The shop has an amazing selection of wedding, bridesmaid, prom, quinceañera and evening gowns, as well as a large inventory of rental tuxedos.
Recently married and speaking only Portuguese, Mafalda moved to the US at 18 years of age. Her bridal shop today is the fulfillment of a childhood memory of a beautiful dress shop in Portugal. By most MBA business models, this place should not be a success … but it is … because it is a dream come true.
Mafalda came to Gilroy with strong roots in Portugal. Gilroy was small then and she says it still has a small-town feel. Over the years, many things have changed— but one thing stands out for Mafalda. After explaining that Gilroy is a good place to live and is very friendly she says with a tear in her eye“ It is my home!”
MAN OF THE YEAR
SIG SANCHEZ
Pushing 93, Sig Sanchez is remarkable. The body might move a little slower but the mind is as sharp as ever. He remembers things most of us never knew and offers analysis on issues before we knew they were an issue. Sitting down with Sig is a delight.
Sig has spent over 55 years in public service working though positions as a Gilroy city councilman, and mayor, Santa Clara County supervisor for District One, and finally a director on the Santa Clara Water District Board. One tribute to his leadership on the Water Board is that water issues are not issues locally today!
Sig was born and raised in Hollister and probably would have lived there if his wife Jane had not been from Gilroy. She wanted to live here, and after starting a family, Gilroy became home.
Sig reckons he was named Man of the Year by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce because he has been around longer than most. At the same time he remembers those who had the courage and foresight to build the infrastructure that makes Gilroy and the county of Santa Clara such a great place to live.
Sig notes that Gilroy is a place where people do things together. There is a spirit in the town of fifty thousand that makes it still feel like a small town … just not as small as 3,600 when he was on the city council!