WATSONVILLE — Fifty years after it left downtown Watsonville, the Pajaronian is back. The newspaper this week moved into two buildings at 21 Brennan Street, less than a block away from its last downtown address, where it won a Pulitzer—and just a few blocks away from its birthplace 151 years ago.
The Pajaronian moved from 13 East Lake Ave. to 1000 Main St. at the end of August 1969. It relocated to the Westridge Business Park in March 2005 and remained there, next to Gold’s Gym, for the next 14 years.
“We’re happy to be back in the mix, in the town’s historic center. We’ll be much closer to Superior Court and City Hall, which will be good for news coverage, as well as near restaurants, the town plaza and the Cabrillo College campus,” Publisher Jeanie Johnson said. “The new office is easy to find and reach, by car, foot or bicycle, with plenty of parking, so it will be convenient for readers and people who want to do business with us.”
During the 1960s, many newspapers expanded with America’s consumer culture and moved to large suburban locations on the outskirts of cities due to the need for large press facilities. In the digital age, most newspapers contract out their printing and operate from more compact offices for editorial and advertising.
The Pajaronian was purchased by the Santa Cruz-based weekly Good Times on July 1, ending 72 years of out-of-state ownership. All local staff received employment offers and stayed on.
The remodeled facility reflects ownership’s new philosophy. “We donated the old desks and cubicles and purchased ergonomic chairs, sit-stand desks and VOIP phones,” CEO Dan Pulcrano said. “We’re converting all lights to LEDs and installing water-saving fixtures to be as green as possible.”
“We believe in downtowns and enjoy being part of revitalization initiatives. Downtown Watsonville has both history and a future, and the Pajaronian will again be part of it.”
