This week, Lookout business columnist Jessica M. Pasko brings the latest on the acquisition of a Watsonville ag-tech firm and a narrowly avoided strike by Safeway workers, along with local business openings, closures and upcoming events.
Jessica M. Pasko
Jessica M. Pasko has been writing professionally for almost two decades. She cut her teeth in journalism as a reporter for the Associated Press in her native Albany, New York, where she covered everything from plane crashes and arts & culture to state politics, including assisting with the coverage of former New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s resignation. After getting her master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she moved to the West Coast and covered crime and breaking news for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. She has also worked for KION and written for a variety of local, regional and national publications on both coasts, including Evanston Patch, The Good Times, Santa Cruz Waves and many others.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Catalyst building listed for sale; local rental market remains least affordable in U.S.
The Pacific Avenue property that’s home to longtime music venue The Catalyst Club is for sale for $4.55 million, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Catalyst nightclub building, one of the oldest in downtown Santa Cruz, goes on the market
The property at 1009-1011 Pacific Ave. that’s been home to music venue The Catalyst since 1976 is for sale for $4.55 million, listed by the heirs of the building’s former owner, Randall Kane.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Local pizzeria employees move to unionize; planned development’s impact on Marianne’s
Woodstock’s Pizza is the latest Santa Cruz County business to see employees move to unionize, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly column.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Woodstock’s Pizza employees to vote on unionization this month
Concerned about long hours and stagnant wages amid ongoing national economic uncertainty, employees at Woodstock’s Pizza in downtown Santa Cruz are set to vote July 31 and Aug. 1 whether to form their own independent union.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Joby in Dubai, new UCSC entrepreneur program, economic impact of local ag
In this week’s look at Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko highlights Joby Aviation’s milestone in Dubai, UC Santa Cruz’s new entrepreneurship program and agriculture’s nearly $1.6 billion impact on the local economy.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: New makers space on Westside launches with summer camp; new hires at two nonprofits
In this week’s look at Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko highlights DIY arts space Santa Cruz Maker Studios, notes comings and going around the county and crunches some local numbers.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
How rising costs and red tape squeeze small businesses out of downtown Santa Cruz
A mix of rising rents, construction hurdles and slow city permitting is prompting some small businesses to reconsider opening in downtown Santa Cruz. Business owners say they want to be part of downtown’s future but feel the financial and bureaucratic barriers are stacked too high — especially for those trying to open in aging buildings. While the city is rolling out reforms, including a new permitting system and faster approvals, some worry it’s not happening fast enough to keep the heart of downtown vibrant and local.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Wait nearly over as luxury La Bahia Hotel & Spa eyes Sept. 1 opening on Santa Cruz beachfront
The long-awaited La Bahia Hotel & Spa on Beach Street in Santa Cruz is on track for a Sept. 1 opening, and reservations are now being taken online for rooms that range from $556 to $736 a night.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: La Bahia now taking reservations, new hotel hires, rentals vs. condos
An opening date for the luxury beachfront La Bahia Hotel & Spa and more local hospitality updates, why Santa Cruz is building rentals instead of condos and funding for a UCSC-grown startup – all that and more are in Jessica M. Pasko’s weekly look at Santa Cruz County business.