Hideout restaurant on the mend
Work is moving ahead on The Hideout restaurant that sustained massive damage in a fire in May.
Markets prep for Thanksgiving orders
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—As Thanksgiving edges closer, the folks at Corralitos Market & Sausage Co. and Freedom Meat Lockers say now is the time to get orders dialed in.
“I’ve been at this since April, getting ready and dealing with supply, price changes and everything else,”...
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...
Santa Cruz CORE to celebrate second location
Santa Cruz CORE will celebrate its grand opening in Watsonville on Saturday with music, food and a charity raffle for a year of monthly massage.
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...
New pastry shop opens in downtown Watsonville
WATSONVILLE—A new bakery that offers a dazzling and colorful line of pastries, cakes, fancy cookies, cupcakes and more has recently opened in downtown Watsonville.
Ricarmi Panaderia y Pasteleria at 11 East Fifth St. is the realization of a longtime dream for Ricardo Lopez and Armida...
Watsonville’s Couch Distributing sold
WATSONVILLE—Couch Distributing Company, Inc. announced to its employees Tuesday that after nearly a half-century of service it is selling its distribution business to Fresno-based Donaghy Sales, LLC.
Established in 1973 Couch Distributing Company has been the leading beer and beverage distributor in Santa Cruz, Monterey...
Consent agenda: City sells lot to Ow family
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday sold the Resetar Parking Lot in downtown to the Ow family for $542,850.
The 40-space lot at 535 Main St., also known as Parking Lot No. 4, is used daily by multiple businesses in downtown, including county-wide nonprofit Community...
Capitola Olive Garden aims for Dec. 17 opening
Final touches are underway at the Olive Garden Italian Kitchen restaurant, the first such location for the chain business in Santa Cruz County.
Thriving among the giants
APTOS—Sitting in the cab of a 25-ton Caterpillar excavator, Stephanie Siqueiros works the levers of the dinosaur-like beast to swivel the mechanical arm to reach across the pavement and attach a large scoop bucket. Nimbly, she attaches the bucket, its steel teeth facing skyward,...
Watsonville Fire Chief Rudy López to step down
Watsonville Fire Chief Rudy López has announced his retirement after 35 years of service to the community. His retirement will be effective Dec. 31.
López...






















