New business to come to old Kmart building in Watsonville
A little more than two years after the former Kmart store on Freedom Boulevard closed its doors, the space will soon have a new tenant.
Vallarta Supermarket, which has more than 50 locations throughout California—the most recent one in Salinas—will occupy half of the 100,000-square-foot...
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...
Gov. Newsom announces assistance for Covid-impacted businesses
SACRAMENTO—Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced that the state will provide temporary tax relief for eligible businesses that have been impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.
Under the plan, taxpayers filing less than $1 million in sales tax receive an automatic three-month income tax extension. It also...
Van’s Shoes eyes smaller location
Van’s Shoes and Repair on East Lake Avenue is searching for a smaller facility, owner Jim van Lanen said.
Staff of Life closes for cleaning after employee contracts Covid-19
SANTA CRUZ—Staff of Life, a popular natural foods market in Santa Cruz for more than 50 years, announced Monday that an employee tested positive for Covid-19.
“We have made the decision to temporarily close after learning a member of our staff has been diagnosed with...
An inflated sense of fun
A Sand City family with a successful bounce-house business there has opened a second location in downtown Watsonville.
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,...
Business briefs, Aug. 31: Color consultation available at BFF Boutique
Business briefs, Aug. 31, 2017
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...
Business brief: Matthew Jones Agency hosts mixer
Farmers Insurance Matthew Jones Agency, 106 Airport Blvd. Suite 101 in Watsonville will host a Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture mixer on Aug. 9 from 5-7 p.m.
Cabrillo football coach Justin Hansen to take leave of absence
Cabrillo College announced Monday that head football coach Justin Hansen will take a formal family medical leave of absence effective immediately.
Hansen is expected to...




















