In her weekly roundup of news and notes from the Santa Cruz County business community, Jessica M. Pasko digs into where pharmacy closures across the county fit into the industry’s challenges nationwide, a slowdown in fall tourism, and the latest businesses opening and closing across the community.
Capitola & Soquel
Posted inBusiness & Technology, Capitola & Soquel, Health & Wellness, Latest News
More changes ahead at Capitola’s King’s Plaza Shopping Center with Rite Aid closure
The Rite Aid in King’s Plaza Shopping Center in Capitola is set to close as part of the company’s bankruptcy and restructuring proceedings. The second Rite Aid closure in Santa Cruz County this year comes amid ongoing struggles for retail pharmacies, including falling sales and high debt.
Posted inLatest News
Capitola police make arrest in fatal hit-and-run collision
Capitola police arrested a Soquel woman on charges of vehicular manslaughter and hit and run causing death on Friday afternoon. Police say their investigation into the death of Debra Towne, 70, is ongoing.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Capitola residents urge safety improvements to stretch of Bay Avenue after fatal hit-and-run
Following the hit-and-run death of 70-year-old Debra Towne on Nov. 18 in Capitola, residents are calling on city officials to make traffic safety improvements on Bay Avenue. Police are still searching for the suspect.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Storm-fueled collapse on North Main Street cuts off hundreds in Soquel
A swollen Bates Creek took out a section of North Main Street, just south of Cherryvale Avenue and north of Soquel Drive, leaving residents Friday stranded as Santa Cruz County officials scrambled to bridge the storm-driven waterway.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Zelda’s plans to rebuild: ‘We’re missing walls, windows and a floor, but other than that we’re ready to go’
After a series of punishing winter storms and a violent tidal surge dramatically damaged the Capitola Village restaurant in early January, the iconic beachfront spot anticipates a closure of several months while it rebuilds, and aims to reopen by Memorial Day.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Capitola Village’s magic has taken a beating, but you can help rekindle the #capitolalove
It’s hard to visit Capitola Village and not come under its spell — and that makes it even harder for anyone who’s felt the magic to see it in its current storm-ravaged state. And while our Santa Cruz County gem will always be vulnerable, we can all do our part to help the healing process by returning that love now.
Posted inGuides
Will pickleball take over the planet? We investigate this ‘fastest-growing sport’; laughter, trash talk ensue
Everyone seems to be talking about this little brother of tennis, cousin of pingpong and distant relative of badminton, squash and something in the U.K. called padel (Google it). Like you, perhaps, we wondered what the big deal was. So we decided to do the heavy investigative journalism for you. Spoiler alert: Pickleball is easy and addictive. If you try it, you will like it and you will want more. Here’s a guide to discovering your inner pickleballer right here in beautiful, pickleball-weather-friendly Santa Cruz County.
Posted inAptos, Capitola & Soquel, Eastside / Live Oak / Pleasure Point, Guides, Watsonville / Pajaro, Westside / Downtown
Slurps up!: Lily’s guide to the best hard slushies in Santa Cruz County
Here are a dozen places to celebrate the summer with a cold buzz (beware of the brain freeze!) — and leave 7-Eleven Slurpee machine memories far in the rearview mirror.