California gives recreational and commercial salmon season the go-ahead for spring, a Soquel-raised chef shines at Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen Beachside in Aptos and where a famous roving farm-to-table dinner series will set up in Santa Cruz County this year – you’ll find all that and more in Lily Belli’s Tuesday newsletter.
Local Business
After years of closure, California salmon fishing set to reopen this spring — with tight limits
After several years of closures due to low populations, California will reopen limited commercial and recreational salmon fishing this spring as stocks rebound. Local fishers welcome the return but say the short, highly restricted season might not be enough to revive the struggling fleet.
Pogonip Pizza debuts near UC Santa Cruz with bold toppings and a nod to Santa Cruz bike culture
Fourth-generation restaurateur Ryan Thompson opened Pogonip Pizza on Santa Cruz’s Upper Westside in February, bringing creative California-style pies with seasonal, locally sourced toppings to a neighborhood he described as a food desert.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Wonderfil’s mission to reduce single-use plastics, Tesla dealership coming to Capitola, Joby-Archer feud heats up
A Westside startup making inroads in cutting down single-use plastics, a new tenant in Capitola’s King’s Plaza Shopping Center and the latest chapter in an electric air taxi rivalry are all included in this week’s look at Santa Cruz County business from Jessica M. Pasko.
Lily Belli on Food: Damage from fatal Capitola Village fire shuts restaurants; chefs coming to Bookshop; Aptos Vineyard closing tasting room
News, notes and coming events from the Santa Cruz County food & drink scene are in focus in Lily Belli’s Tuesday newsletter.
Capitola Village fire closes Mijo’s Taqueria and stalls debut of Sandie Scoops ice cream shop
A deadly fire at a Capitola Village home Monday night damaged nearby buildings, forcing Mijo’s Taqueria to close indefinitely. The blaze also disrupted the Guajardo family’s plans to open Sandie Scoops, a new ice cream parlor next door, though they hope it could still open sooner than the taqueria.
Flying taxi rival Archer Aviation countersues Joby Aviation, claiming Santa Cruz company misled U.S. regulators and concealed ties to China
The legal battle has escalated between two companies vying to provide ride-hailing electric helicopters. Archer Aviation has filed a countersuit against Joby Aviation, alleging that the Santa Cruz-based company concealed its ties to China.
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of March 10
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.
Fire kills one, damages buildings in Capitola Village on Monday night
A fire tore through a home in Capitola Village on Monday night, killing one person and damaging the building next door that’s home to restaurants Mijo’s Taqueria and Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House.
Westside startup’s innovative, self-serve soap dispensers aim to reduce single-use plastics
Wonderfil has partnered with UC Santa Cruz, Whole Foods and others to allow customers to refill bottles of soap, detergent and shampoo in their containers of choice in a fully automated process.
