Bonnie Plants, an Alabama-based greenhouse growing company, will pay workers who say they were unfairly fired from its Watsonville facility more than $114,000. In her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko also covers area wineries in the tariff crossfire, honors for Driscoll’s and Annieglass and numbers and events to know.
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: Pacific Valley Bank looks north to Santa Cruz; deportation fears stalk Watsonville business
In this week’s local business roundup, Jessica M. Pasko spotlights a move by Salinas-based Pacific Valley Bank to open a branch in downtown Santa Cruz, notes the impact of Donald Trump’s immigration policy on Watsonville businesses and passes along other news, numbers and events to know.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: City looks at new ways to fill vacant retail space; wharf restaurants scuffle after shutdown
In her weekly roundup, Jessica M. Pasko talks to Santa Cruz’s economic development manager about how the city is trying to boost downtown business, notes struggles for wharf restaurants and passes along names, numbers and events to know.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Theft concerns, retail’s downward national trend make Rip Curl latest downtown Santa Cruz closure
Rip Curl joined O’Neill, Forever 21 and New Leaf among retailers vacating Pacific Avenue locations in recent months. A Rip Curl manager cited local safety issues, while others pointed to national trends. “These are the headwinds we’re facing,” one downtown Santa Cruz owner said. “If you don’t support your local businesses, they will close.”
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: More changes ahead downtown, closer look at Wrigley Building and fundraising for L.A. fire relief
In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko runs down comings and goings in downtown Santa Cruz, including fintech company Paystand moving its headquarters to the Rittenhouse Building. She’s also got names, numbers and events to know.
Posted inWestside / Downtown
New tenant inching closer for empty New Leaf store in downtown Santa Cruz
A national retailer has signed a letter of intent for the site of the former New Leaf Community Market on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. The real estate broker involved in the deal says while it won’t be a grocery store, “everyone will be happy” about the new tenant.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Climatize’s first local fundraising project; Aptos’ egg shortage answer
In her weekly roundup of local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on Climatize working with fellow Santa Cruz-based company Mynt Systems on an electric vehicle charging hub, local food businesses’ egg go-to, the status of the Chamber of Commerce’s CEO search and names, numbers and dates to know.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Distilleries push for permanent direct shipping, Dignity Health mourns former CEO, another downtown closure
Santa Cruz’s Venus Spirits is among a coalition of California craft distillers urging state legislators to make permanent their ability to ship directly to consumers, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly look at local business.
Posted inFood & Drink
Craft distillers’ push to ship directly to customers faces legal and political hurdles
California craft distillers’ bid to make pandemic-era direct shipping permanent faces a series of challenges, state Sen. John Laird says, including court rulings on interstate commerce and resistance from within the industry.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Midtown’s ambitious new health and wellness facility aims for March opening
In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko updates the progress of Santa Cruz Athletic Club, taking shape in the former Midtown Rite Aid, and highlights hirings, numbers, events and other news to know.