Business

WATSONVILLE—A familiar face has stepped in as the new operator of Pinto Lake City Park. Jesus Madrigal, the president of the Watsonville Farmers Market, was recently named concessionaire for the city’s share of Pinto Lake. His company’s vision for the 78-acre park—70 of which are...

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...

WATSONVILLE—Work continues on Laundry Day, the new Laundromat on the corner of Brennan Street and East Lake Avenue.  Situated in the former Union Bank (and Watsonville Federal Savings and Loan before that), the remodeling project, which has gone on for more than a year, is...

WATSONVILLE—California Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) has announced the launch of a new business center in Watsonville for women entrepreneurs. El Pájaro Women’s Business Center (WBC) will be formed through El Pájaro Community Development Corporation (CDC), a local nonprofit organization aiming to promote equal access...

The new location at 700A Bay Avenue is adjacent to the Capitola Produce Market and near Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria.

Every year Sindy Hernandez, local fashion designer and owner of Queen’s Shoes, heads up two fundraisers to support local nonprofits. Dubbed Fashion Cares, the fundraisers have amassed money for Jacob’s Heart, CASA, Monarch Services and more. “It’s my way of giving back to my community,” Hernandez...

WATSONVILLE—Dozens attended Tuesday night’s Watsonville City Council meeting to rebuke reported complaints lodged to the City Manager’s office about mobile food vendors. This included about a half-dozen food truck operators gathered on one device that took turns grilling the City Council and staff holding the...

WATSONVILLE—Cafe Ella, 734 E Lake Ave., will soon be rebranding itself with a new name and design. Owners Jennifer DeVault and Erika Conrad will rename the business “Strawberry Patch Cafe” this month. The twin sister team bought the popular cafe in 2019 from founder and...