New hardware store coming to Capitola
CAPITOLA—A new branch of Outdoor Supply Hardware (OSH) is slated for a Jan. 6 opening in the former Orchard Supply Hardware store on 41st Avenue.
Ryan Odell, store manager at the Napa OSH branch, said the company will run a soft opening in the first...
Cooper family buys two dealerships
WATSONVILLE—The family that owns Chevrolet Watsonville has purchased two new neighboring dealerships, giving it the lion’s share of the sales on Auto Center Drive.
The Cooper family closed the deal on Wednesday for Monterey Bay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Mid Bay Ford Lincoln.
The family...
New pizza shop opens in historic Pajaro location
PAJARO—The tiny town of Pajaro, nestled on the most northerly corner of Monterey County, just got its first pizzeria.
Thanks to a dream of Pajaro native and resident Eric Ramirez, fresh homemade pizzas are prepared in-house and baked in a brick oven at Idle Hour...
Watsonville Staff of Life set to open March 30
WATSONVILLE—Staff of Life grocery store has for a half-century been a backbone of healthy eating and living in Santa Cruz County, selling organic food and natural products long before those concepts hit the mainstream.
Founders Richard Josephson and Gary Bascou launched the business as a...
Van’s Shoes finds new location
Owner Jim van Lanen said the move comes as an adjustment to the market, especially in that “more people and buying goods online.”
Freedom Meat Lockers is a delight | Try This
Todd Guild
Freedom Meat Lockers
One of my favorite things to do for lunch in Watsonville is head over to Freedom Meat Lockers, which in addition to its high-quality selection of carnivores’ delights, also offers a deli counter.
Normally when I hear the word ‘deli’ I cringe,...
Giant local beer distributor has small beginnings
George Couch was an ambitious 25-year-old when he came to Watsonville in 1973 and negotiated a deal to purchase a small Anheuser-Busch distributorship. It would not stay small for long.
His company Couch Distributing, which he runs with his brother Geoff, has since 1973 delivered...
Farm store and cafe opens at historic Five Mile House
CORRALITOS—Late Monday morning the Five Mile House in Corralitos was bustling with activity for the first time in 12 years.
Blossom’s Farmstore & Coffee Shop now occupies the landmark Spanish-style building on the corner of Freedom Boulevard and Corralitos Road, which has housed various businesses...
Staff of Life market to open in East Lake Village
Staff of Life, a Santa Cruz-based natural foods store that launched nearly a half-century ago, will move into the space occupied by Super Max Discount Foods.
Beer Mule opens in Watsonville
The owners of Beer Mule were hoping for an easy “soft opening” when they announced their first night via Instagram on Saturday.
Man arrested after lengthy standoff
A man who held police at bay while armed with a knife was arrested late at night on Sept. 4 outside a Herman Avenue...