Hidden Fortress Coffee owner Amelia Loftus has had to reduce hours of operation at her Watsonville-based cafe and satellite locations including Cabrillo College as she continues looking for staff.
COVID Economy
Posted inHousing & Development
‘It’s just too big’: 831 Water Street development draws massive amount of public comment
The current proposal is for two buildings at four and five stories, with 149 units on 19,033 square feet. Some nearby neighbors say putting a 60-foot building so close to 20-foot homes is “not neighborly.” A city council meeting on Sept. 14 will allow more discourse about the main concerns: shade, density, traffic and water.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Yoga classes, therapy and 401(k)s: California businesses beefing up benefits to attract workers
California businesses are responding to a labor shortage with social media pleas, hiring incentives, bonuses and new benefits. So far, workers, particularly in the service industry, are seeing wages rise.
Posted inCOVID Today
Here’s how Gail Newel deals with indoor masking: That and other takeaways from her chat with Zach Friend
Says Santa Cruz Public Health Officer Gail Newel: “I really think that a mask mandate is not going to increase mask-wearing in our county. I am open to hearing otherwise.” That was one topic of discussion when she sat down with Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend on Friday.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
‘One last Christmas season’: Months after saying goodbye to Santa Cruz, Palace Arts to leave Capitola
Eight months after the downtown Santa Cruz location closed, the art and office supply store’s Capitola location follows suit marking the end of an era. Palace Art & Office Supply first opened in 1949 after owner Col. Frank Trowbridge purchased the property, formerly known as Palace Stationers.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Greater Purpose, indeed: Eastside brewery focuses on Santa Cruzans’ safety via vaccine proof, pop-up clinic
As of July 27, Greater Purpose Brewing Company decided to require proof of vaccination to enter the building and to be allowed to sit inside. This weekend it will take matters a step further when it hosts a pop-up vaccine clinic that offers a free pint to anyone who gets jabbed.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz sales tax measure, which could’ve raised $6M, is dead for now — here’s why and what happens next
The measure was expected to help create an additional $6 million annually for the city. That revenue would have been reinvested back into a variety of programs and departments including homelessness services, parks, public works, wildfire prevention, affordable housing and infrastructure improvements.
Posted inVaccine Watch
California sees significant rise in vaccinations as employers issue mandates
The increase comes as a growing list of municipalities, businesses and venues are moving to require the shots for employees and, in some cases, customers.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
‘Just people trying to survive’: Operating a fitness business in Santa Cruz has only gotten trickier
Small gyms are the name of the game in chain-averse Santa Cruz, but local owners say that even with their close-knit communities, there’s no strong-arming the area’s high cost of living — and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic added to the degree of difficulty.
Posted inCOVID Today
San Lorenzo Valley bar temporarily closes due to positive COVID-19 cases
Joe’s Bar in Boulder Creek has announced it will be temporarily closing for a week due to positive COVID-19 results in both patrons and staff. The announcement came via Joe’s Facebook page.