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...
EcoFarm bus tour rolls through Watsonville
The 39th annual EcoFarm Conference returned to Pacific Grove this week, and with it came the annual bus tour of local organic farms.
PHOTO: Know your local businesses
People pour into the Seascape Golf Club Wednesday afternoon for the 33rd annual Business Showcase put on by the Aptos and Capitola-Soquel Chambers of Commerce.
The Chop Shop moving downtown
WATSONVILLE—A popular local barbershop will soon move to downtown Watsonville.
The Chop Shop is planning to relocate from the city’s outskirts on Freedom Boulevard to the corner of Main Street and East Lake Avenue, according to owner Gabino Varela.
The 471 Main St. location currently houses...
Local financial planner gives advice on managing money in 2020
WATSONVILLE—For many, the New Year feels like a fresh start. Resolutions are written and promises made to make big changes for the future.
And most of these decisions—whether it’s traveling more or starting a membership at a local gym—have one thing in common: they all...
County yoga studios offering live classes online
WATSONVILLE—As the second day of Santa Cruz County’s shelter-in-place order dawned Wednesday morning, Watsonville Yoga, Dance and Healing Arts owner Phoenix Artemisia was busy setting up for class—just not as she normally does.
Artemisia’s mat was unrolled on the ground of her studio on Main...
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.
Farmers Market store now open on East Lake
WATSONVILLE—A new business featuring a meat counter, a taqueria, fresh produce, a dairy section and a wide range of groceries recently opened on East Lake Avenue near Holohan Road.
The store, called Farmers Market, also boasts a panaderia—or bakery— that features freshly baked Mexican pastries...
Heritage Chocolates Corralitos a local, family affair
More than 50 years ago, clockmaker and shop owner Allison Rider discovered a new hobby: making chocolate candies for his friends, family and employees.
Rider, a big chocolate lover, started creating treats loosely based on See's Candies flavors. He experimented with caramel and other soft-center...
Following 2019 fire, The Hideout reopens
APTOS—Almost two years after a fire, The Hideout restaurant in Aptos is back up to speed with a slightly expanded building, modern upgrades and nearly a full menu.
The popular eatery reopened March 22. It underwent a major demolition and rebuild following the May 2019...
See’s Candies opens pop-up store in Watsonville
The See’s Holiday gift center in Watsonville is located at the Watsonville Square Shopping Center at 1878 Main Street in Watsonville. It opened on...






















