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Watsonville
March 20, 2026

Miyuki Restaurant goes on the market

Miyuki Restaurant owner Chris Ishikawa
Chris Ishikawa took over as owner at Miyuki Japanese Restaurant in 2016 after starting off as a busboy and a server, before making his way behind the sushi bar where he and the kitchen staff continue to make what most consider the best sushi...

Shopping center on the market for nearly $15M

After two anchor tenants opened this year in the former Orchard Supply Hardware store, the shopping center is up for sale.

Watsonville’s Crystal Bay Farm opens annual pumpkin patch

For more than 20 years, Crystal Bay Farm owners Lori and Jeff Fiorovich have offered the Pajaro Valley community a homegrown harvest tradition. Every October, the couple transforms their farm into a family-friendly pumpkin patch, where people can come and pick out the perfect pumpkin,...

Local personal trainer launches new business

WATSONVILLE—Opening a new business during a global pandemic might at first seem like a risky move. But for Christian Diaz, it was also an opportunity. With most fitness centers throughout the state remaining closed to stop the spread of Covid-19, people have been looking for...

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...

Apple harvest wraps up at historic Corralitos orchard

It has not been an easy harvest season for California apples. When temperatures shot up into the 100s in August and September, sparking wildfires across the state and harming numerous agricultural commodities, apples were one of the hardest-hit crops. The fruit is susceptible to...

Healthy grapes, less regulations spell good news for local wineries

wineries pajaro valley
After a year of ups and downs, things are looking good for wineries in the Pajaro Valley. That is according to two long-standing wineries, both nestled in the Pleasant Valley area between Watsonville and Aptos. Alfaro Family Vineyard-Winery was first established in 1997 by Richard...

Ritual Ride opening at The Hangar

WATSONVILLE—Since deciding to open their own business, Dave and Marissa Molinari have learned plenty of lessons. Chief among those lessons: stay positive and remain focused on your goals. “It will never go according to plan,” Dave said. “It’s important to learn and stay positive through the...

Hampton Inn & Suites begins taking shape

The 112-room business, being built by Elite Development Inc. between Beach Road and Riverside Drive, has now reached the insulation, electrical and plumbing phase, said co-owner Juggy Tut. Barring any unexpected hurdles, Tut said he hopes to see the place up and running by the end of the year or in early January. Roof work is slated to be completed in December.

Two dispensaries receive Planning Commission approval

cannabis Watsonville city council taxes
WATSONVILLE—Watsonville will soon see its first cannabis dispensaries set up shop after two businesses received planning commission approval at Tuesday night’s virtual meeting. Berryessa Holdings, LLC and Charlie Mike, Inc. both got the green light by a unanimous vote. The former will serve customers at...
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METRO to seek support for half-cent sales tax measure

Supporters of a proposed ballot measure to fund Santa Cruz County transit will hold a campaign kickoff event later this month as organizers ramp...