Small businesses holding steady through pandemic, local fires
WATSONVILLE—First came the coronavirus in March and then the fires and smoke in August. While the CZU August Lightning Complex fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains is 100% contained, the Covid-19 pandemic continues.
What have the dual disasters meant for Watsonville’s local businesses? So far,...
Kaiser Permanente ‘reorganization’ will not affect Santa Cruz County locations
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—A recent reduction to employees in the Kaiser Permanente corporation—about 200 positions—will not reach Santa Cruz County, a spokesman said Tuesday.
One of the largest private employers in California, the company has more than 149,000 employees and 16,000 physicians in the state.
In addition,...
Capitola vintage boutique to close
BFF Boutique: Vintage and Repurposed Fashions in Capitola Village will be closing its doors at the end of September.
Santa Cruz County closing more indoor services Tuesday
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—Gyms, barbershops, beauty salons, places of worship and shopping malls across Santa Cruz County will all have to close their indoor services on Tuesday, county health officials announced Monday.
Retail and existing outdoor restaurant operations are unaffected by the new county health orders...
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...
Specialty coffee shop joins Watsonville Hangar complex
WATSONVILLE—A new coffee shop has opened on Aviation Way, rounding out the Watsonville Hangar business complex that has been growing steadily the past couple of years.
Honeylux Coffee is a specialty coffeehouse offering its own signature blend of java, as well as espresso drinks, teas,...
An inflated sense of fun
A Sand City family with a successful bounce-house business there has opened a second location in downtown Watsonville.
The Hideout on the rebound
APTOS—Siding construction is underway on The Hideout restaurant that was largely destroyed by fire in May 2019.
Workers from Costa Bella Builders are behind the rebuild of the popular eatery nestled beneath a canopy of redwoods at 9051 Soquel Drive between Rio del Mar and...
City Council to consider utility rate increases
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday will consider a series of utility rate increases over the next five years to fund infrastructure upgrades they...
