Quick Take

In her latest roundup of local business news, Jessica M. Pasko examines the impact of another severely restricted salmon season, updates the outdoor dining situation in the city of Santa Cruz and highlights upcoming events.

Each week, we’ll be taking a closer look at the movers and shakers, the growth of industries, and what’s really driving the Santa Cruz County economy. I’ll be spotlighting some of the biggest areas for opportunity, updates on local development and all things underpinning the regional business scene each Wednesday.

Got ideas? Send them my way to news@lookoutlocal.com with “Business News” in the subject line.

ICYMI: California’s commercial salmon fishermen could see second canceled season in a row

It’s getting harder and harder to make a living fishing in California. 

After canceling last year’s California commercial salmon season due to low stock forecasts, federal managers are weighing another cancellation for the coming season, which would typically start in May. Even if they decide not to cancel, the season will be shortened and fishermen will face significant limits on the number of fish they can catch. 

Last week, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, which manages fisheries in federal waters off Washington, Oregon and California, released three proposed alternatives for the California salmon season in light of concerns over salmon stocks. Two would significantly restrict the season’s duration and implement quotas; one would cancel the season completely for a second year in a row. The council will make its final determination next month and is accepting public comment on the options now.

For California’s commercial fishermen, the news comes as they’re still reeling from the impacts of the canceled 2023 season and a delayed Dungeness crab season. California’s salmon industry is valued at over $1 billion and accounts for more than 20,000 jobs, making it one of the biggest fisheries in the state. 

Federal environmental officials say they understand the hardship on fishermen, but they have to take strong precautions to protect the salmon stocks, which have been damaged by warming waters, drought, wildfires and diversion of water for agriculture. 

Read more about it here.

Deadline for outdoor dining area permits in Santa Cruz extended to 2025

The temporary permit for Santa Cruz restaurants that installed outdoor dining areas during the pandemic has been extended to May 31, 2025, according to city officials. 

Prior to 2020, few restaurants in the city had outdoor dining areas. To enable restaurants to stay afloat during pandemic-related closures, the city offered temporary permits that waived many of the typical planning requirements for outdoor dining. For months, the city has been working on a plan to convert many of these temporary dining areas into permanent fixtures but the process has proved complicated, as Lily Belli reported in December. When the city rolled out plans for permanent outdoor dining permits last fall, many restaurant owners argued that the new rules were cost-prohibitive, leading city officials to postpone sunsetting of the temporary permits, which were set to expire March 31.

Luca Viara, co-owner and head chef of Tramonti, inside the outdoor seating area of the Seabright restaurant.
Luca Viara, co-owner and head chef of Tramonti, inside the outdoor seating area of the Seabright restaurant. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Last week, the city introduced revised plans for the outdoor dining program, including streamlining the permit process. While the existing process for getting an outdoor dining area approved required three city permits in addition to a hearing, the new plan would allow businesses to go through a simple building review process with only a building permit required. Public comment on the plans will be accepted through Wednesday. City staff will incorporate the public’s feedback into their report, which they’ll present to the city planning commission on April 18.

Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley gets $2 million grant from MacKenzie Scott

Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott announced this week she’s giving $640 million to 361 small nonprofits throughout the country.

Among the recipients is Watsonville-based Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, a nonprofit organization focused on building health equity and increasing access to health care. Its initiatives include the Diabetes Health Center, the VeggieRx program that provides free produce to eligible residents, the El Mercado farmers market in Watsonville and many others.

The $2 million grant from Scott’s Yield Giving program will help support these programs and many others, including new community gardens, free exercise classes and a drop-in mental health center for youth in Watsonville.

More than 6,000 organizations applied for the Yield Giving program through an open call launched in March 2023, aimed at organizations working to help improve access to vital resources in their communities.

Ch-ch-changes: Openings, closings and other developments

  • Michaels opens in Capitola: Local crafters now have another option for all their glitter, scrapbooking supplies, framing needs and more. Craft supply retail giant Michaels has opened its new store in Brown Ranch Marketplace on Clares Street. A corporate spokeswoman said the store is still hiring more employees and a grand opening is slated for March 30.
  • Driscoll’s named one of the world’s most innovative companies: The 120-year-old berry company is among the companies cognized in the latest edition of Fast Company’s World Most Innovative Companies list. In addition to its top 50 list, Fast Company looks at over 600 companies across 58 sectors and regions that are making an impact. Driscoll’s, ranked No. 2 in the food category, earned high marks for its research and development efforts.
  • Watsonville city manager headed to Salinas: The city of Salinas has selected current Watsonville City Manager Rene Mendez as its new city manager, replacing Steve Carrigan, who was fired in October. Mendez has been at the helm in Watsonville since 2022 and came to Apple City from Gonzales. The Salinas City Council formally approve Mendez’s appointment Tuesday. He’s slated to start his new position in May. Christopher Neely has the full story.
  • Alderwood Santa Cruz chef departs: Executive chef Jeffrey Wall, who’s been at the helm of the downtown restaurant since it opened in 2018, has left his position there. As Lily Belli reports, there’s no word yet on his next move or his replacement. 

Got hires, promotions or departures to report? Send them to news@lookoutlocal.com with the subject line “Career changes.”

Save the date

  • Thursday, March 21: The Pajaro Valley and Aptos chambers of commerce will host a joint mixer at California Coffee at 9105 Soquel Dr. in Aptos with live music, beer, wine, coffee and appetizers. The event goes from 5 to 7 p.m. and costs $5 to attend.
  • Thursday, March 21: Monterey Bay Economic Partnership President Tahra Goraya will join UC Santa Cruz Professor Chris Benner for a discussion on the recently released report, “Building an inclusive economy in the Monterey Bay.” The free event goes from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Civic Plaza Community Room, 250 Main St. in Watsonville. Registration required.

Add your business or networking events to Lookout’s free public calendar, BOLO. Click here to add your event.

Business news worth reading

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.

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...