Historic SeaBreeze Tavern demolished
RIO DEL MAR—Nearly 11 months after a fire gutted the historic Seabreeze Tavern and severely weakened the structure, demolition of the building began Tuesday.
The work is being conducted by a private contractor, Santa Cruz County spokesperson Jason Hoppin said. It is not clear what...
Wood-fired pizza restaurant opens doors in Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—A new wood-fired pizza restaurant recently opened in the East Lake Village Shopping Center. Sandwiched between the Villager bar and Carmona’s BBQ and Catering, Uncie Ro’s is the latest addition to the busy center.
“We’re just happy to be able to open our doors to...
Food service industry faces unprecedented labor shortage
Two weeks ago, Amelia Loftus, owner of Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting, was on the brink of closing her cafe in Watsonville just shy of its five-year anniversary.
The shop, located at the end of a sleepy business complex on Hangar Way, had been struggling to...
Photos: Staff of Life’s Watsonville location now open
Staff of Life natural food store opened its second location Tuesday, a little more than two years after announcing it would make the move to the East Lake Village Shopping Center in Watsonville. Dozens of local leaders showed to the ribbon cutting ceremony Monday,...
Photo: Salmon season begins in Monterey Bay
Scores of fishers took to the sea out of the Santa Cruz Harbor Sunday to test their skills in snaring a few salmon. The salmon season began April 3 in the Monterey Bay area and down south to the U.S.-Mexico border. The length of...
Sambrailo sees major growth in sustainable packaging line
WATSONVILLE—When Santa Cruz-based natural foods store Staff of Life opened its second location in Watsonville in March, employees from Sambrailo were pleased to see their products featured front and center.
Fresh, organic vegetables and fruit in the store’s produce aisle were nestled inside Sambrailo’s sustainable...
New laundromat opens in East Lake Village
A new laundromat has opened in the East Lake Village Shopping Center.
Owner Robert Ruiz said Laundry Room features 30 driers and 35 heavy-duty washing machines that can handle from two to eight loads (80 pounds) of wash.
The 2,000-square-foot facility, which replaces a former laundromat...
Porter Building again up for sale
WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville is once again looking to fill the historic Porter Building in downtown.
City officials on Nov. 12 released a request for proposals (RFP) for the sale or long-term lease of the two-story, 15,000-square-foot building at the corner of Main and Maple...
Central Coast untouched in Newsom’s clampdown on bars, restaurants
SACRAMENTO—California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered bars and restaurants in 19 counties to close their indoor dining options for at least three weeks, as the state faces increasing cases of Covid-19 and residents plan for the busy July 4 weekend.
The state saw 5,898...
Small businesses look to holiday shoppers for support
WATSONVILLE—On Nov. 28, Watsonville joined the annual nationwide shopping movement known as Small Business Saturday, which aims to encourage shoppers to support businesses in their community. The event had a number of small stores at the East Lake Village Shopping Center opening for special...
H.R. 1 Threatens Central Coast’s Most Vulnerable
The Monterey Bay region has long stood as a place of resilience, hard work, and community care. From the agricultural fields to the neighborhoods...






















