El Pájaro celebrating 40 years of helping businesses
El Pájaro CDC this year is celebrating 40 years of transforming people’s lives through entrepreneurship by taking the confusion, guesswork and complexity out of starting small businesses. By offering technical, legal, financial and managerial assistance, El Pájaro CDC has helped launch and nurture small businesses while bolstering economic development within the community.
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...
Freedom Meat Lockers is a delight | Try This
Todd Guild
Freedom Meat Lockers
One of my favorite things to do for lunch in Watsonville is head over to Freedom Meat Lockers, which in addition to its high-quality selection of carnivores’ delights, also offers a deli counter.
Normally when I hear the word ‘deli’ I cringe,...
Santa Cruz REI opens doors Friday
SANTA CRUZ—With a short welcoming greeting to a small crowd gathered outside Santa Cruz’s new REI store Wednesday evening, manager John Davis opened the doors for the first time, allowing employees’ friends and family a peek before the store opens Friday.
An abbreviation of Recreational...
Santa Cruz Balsamics continues to grow
Owner works from Watsonville’s El Pajaro CDC
For Kim Tush, the best part of her job is being able to work on her feet.
Just a few years ago, Tush was paralyzed after a surgery complication. Following her recovery, she decided to take a big step—literally...
Sears to close Capitola location
Sears Holdings announced this week that it will close dozens of stores throughout the U.S., including the location in the Capitola Mall.
Sushi Qu moves; East Lake evolving
WATSONVILLE—Sushi Qu, a popular sushi restaurant in East Lake Village Shopping Center, opened Tuesday in its new space just a few doors away from where they had operated for almost five years.
Owner Jannie Park said she was excited about the new location that will...
Construction of new Watsonville dialysis clinic sells for $6.7M
WATSONVILLE—Meridian, a Walnut Creek-based real estate developer, operator, and owner of medical properties, announced Monday that it has closed escrow on the sale of its new construction, a 11,424-square-foot outpatient dialysis clinic in Watsonville.
The purchase price for the project was $6.7 million.
The outpatient clinic...
Taylor’s Office City closing doors
A little more than seven decades ago, as the nation recovered from World War II and Main Street America flourished, Taylor’s Office City opened its doors in Watsonville and henceforth became the city’s preferred destination for all manner of office supplies.
On June 30, the...
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...
Powerful storms clobber Central Coast
A string of strong winter storms slammed the Central Coast over the past several days, toppling power and communication lines, knocking down scores of...



















