“It’s with a heavy heart that I leave,” says Mary Apra of putting the Windmill Cafe on the market. The major development planned for the Live Oak property aims to maintain the historic building as a cafe.
Local Business
Posted inFood & Drink
Switch Bakery to open Santa Cruz café focused on gut-friendly baked goods
Husband-and-wife bakers Joshua Bradley and Amanda Frazier, founders of Switch Bakery, are opening their first brick-and-mortar café in downtown Santa Cruz before the end of the year, expanding beyond their popular farmers market stalls.
Posted inLatest News
Big Creek Lumber offers its School Garden Grant Program for 2026
A grant program sponsored by Davenport-based Big Creek Lumber that gives students and teachers the opportunity to learn through hands-on projects in science, biology, agriculture, carpentry and forestry is continuing in 2026, the company announced in a media release.
Posted inFood & Drink
Verve Coffee workers vote to unionize at three cafés
Employees at three Verve Coffee Roasters cafés, in Santa Cruz and San Francisco, voted unanimously to unionize, citing low wages, inconsistent hours and a desire for more workplace input.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: National Starbucks closures hit two local stores; Joby’s next move in the Middle East
In her weekly overview of Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on the closure of Starbucks locations in Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley as part of a broader consolidation, Joby Aviation’s partnerships in the Middle East and Ashby Confections coming to Pacific Avenue.
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: Inside New Leaf’s new River Street store; Soif’s slow progress; Open Farm Tours on the horizon
In her Tuesday newsletter, Lily Belli surveys the latest New Leaf, updates the progress of Soif Wine Bar and Merchant in the former Caffe Pergolesi, looks ahead to Open Farm Tours and more.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of Sept. 30
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.
Posted inFood & Drink
Eaters Digest: Ashby Confections pâtes de fruit
With Jennifer Ashby set to bring her candy and chocolates to downtown Santa Cruz, Lily Belli samples one of her signature confections.
Posted inFood & Drink
Sweet news for downtown: Ashby Confections set to open Pacific Avenue shop
Ashby Confections, a local candy and chocolate maker, is moving into a long-vacant storefront in downtown Santa Cruz, transforming the former Joe’s Pizza and Subs into a production kitchen and retail shop. Owner Jennifer Ashby expects the new space to open by Easter.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Report finds surfing contributes $194M to local economy but faces uncertain future; wineries still feeling CZU effects
A study spearheaded by Save the Waves Coalition and Black Surf Santa Cruz details surfing’s big local economic impact and outlines major threats from climate change, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business.
