Quick Take

Joby's electric air taxi takes Manhattan, a Monterey Bay nonprofit launches a forward-looking job training initiative and the end of the line for a Gateway Plaza coffee spot are all part of Jessica M. Pasko's weekly look at local business.

Each week, we’re 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.

Joby Aviation conducts first flights in New York City

Santa Cruz-based Joby Aviation has completed its first demonstration flights of its electric air taxis in New York City, part of the company’s weeklong public campaign there.

The company’s electric helicopter flew Friday between John F. Kennedy International Airport and several sites in Manhattan, showcasing the vehicle’s speed and relative quiet compared to other types of vehicles.

Company leaders have previously said Joby will launch its first commercial operations in the United Arab Emirates as soon as this year, but New York and Los Angeles are where it plans to launch the first services in the U.S. Joby officials say its vehicles could take passengers between lower Manhattan and JFK airport in under 10 minutes. A flight between Manhattan and JFK is expected to cost around $200 a person. 

Commercial service will operate similarly to Uber and Lyft, with riders using an app to “call” an electric helicopter to take them to or from specific airports. Joby has partnered with Uber on an integrated app that would allow Uber customers to select one of its electric helicopters in areas where it provides service. Each vehicle can carry up to four passengers and fly at speeds of up to 200 mph.

While Joby still needs to complete certain steps in order in order to secure Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification to fly commercially in the U.S., the company – along with other companies in what’s known as the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) space – got a major boost when it was selected as one of the partner companies for a new White House pilot program. As part of the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, Joby will be able to start early operations in 10 states, including New York and New Jersey, ahead of FAA certification.

In other Joby news, the company’s president of aircraft operations will step down in July, ahead of the planned start of the electric helicopter company’s commercial passenger service. Didier Papadopoulos cited personal reasons for his departure, according to Bloomberg.

Monterey Bay DART and Salinas college launch new program to prepare residents in Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties for aviation careers

Salinas’ Hartnell College and Monterey Bay DART, a nonprofit organization focused on emerging aviation technologies like drones and electric helicopters, are starting a new, two-year workforce initiative aimed at helping local residents get jobs in this sector. 

The Maturing Regional AgTech and Aerospace Job Readiness Pathways program is launching with a goal of serving 150 people in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. That includes helping at least 50 of those participants achieve what’s known as Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 certification, which is required for piloting commercial drones. It’s funded through a grant from the James Irvine Foundation, a private California-based organization that helps workers in the state by funding job training programs, advocating for fair wages and connecting employees with employers. 

The new program is especially aimed at first-generation college students, veterans and underserved communities. It includes five so-called workstreams, including creation of new drone curriculum at Hartnell and Monterey Peninsula colleges, partnerships with local schools in Seaside, and direct employer engagement with companies such as Joby Aviation, among other facets. The effort is being coordinated with the UC Santa Cruz CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research as well.

ICYMI: River Street’s Java Junction closes after 28 years, citing rent hike and construction impacts

Java Junction Gateway Plaza Santa Cruz
Property manager JLL Commercial Real Estate placed a construction dumpster by Java Junction’s front door for five months, which deterred business, said owner Michael Spadafora. Credit: Via Java Junction

Java Junction’s cafe in the Gateway Plaza on River Street in Santa Cruz closed Monday after 28 years in business. Owner Michael Spadafora said the closure follows issues with the landlord, Balboa Retail Partners, which took over the shopping plaza in 2021. 

The two other locations of Java Junction, in the Santa Cruz Harbor and on Seabright Avenue, remain open. Spadafora told Lookout previously that those cafes have struggled amid the ongoing Murray Street bridge closure. 

Read Lily Belli’s full article here.

Ch-ch-changes

  • Grey Bears opens bookstore in Capitola Mall: Santa Cruz nonprofit Grey Bears has opened a new resale store in the Capitola Mall, picking up the reins from the Capitola Library Friends, which closed its store at the end of last month. The new Grey Bears Book Den will sell and accept donations of books, CDs and DVDs. All donations and purchases go to the organization, which has been feeding local older adults since its founding more than 50 years ago. Grey Bears is currently raising money for a major warehouse expansion in 2028.
  • Live Oak School District names new superintendent: Jennifer Baldwin will take over the role of superintendent for Live Oak School District starting July 1. Baldwin previously served as assistant superintendent of educational services at Moreland School District in San Jose. She will replace Pat Sánchez, the district’s superintendent since 2024. Read more here.
  • Bedda Mia moving restaurant to Scotts Valley: Italian restaurant Bedda Mia, located on Water Street in Santa Cruz, plans to move to Scotts Valley. The restaurant will close its Santa Cruz location this week in preparation of a move to Graham Plaza, to the former home of Casa Nostra. Bedda Mia is owned by the same family that runs La Placa Family Bakery in Ben Lomond. 
  • Santa Cruz arts organization names new executive director: Dennis Bartok will serve as the new leader of The 418 Project, the dance and arts center headquartered on Front Street in Santa Cruz. Bartok brings many years of experience in film, arts programming and nonprofit leadership, according to the organization. The 418 Project was founded in 1993 and moved to its current location in the former Regal Riverfront Twin movie theater in 2021.
Taylor Honrath, new director of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation
Taylor Honrath. Credit: Elkhorn Slough Foundation
  • Elkhorn Slough Foundation hires new director: Taylor Honrath is the new executive director of Moss Landing-based nonprofit the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. Honrath has served as the organization’s deputy director since 2023 and was director of development and communications for four years prior to that. Before joining the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Honrath was the director of development for the Homeless Services Center (now known as Housing Matters) in Santa Cruz. Honrath replaces Mark Silberstein, who retired after 40 years with the organization. Silberstein will remain in an advisory role. 
  • Co-founder of The Penny Creamery, The Picnic Basket to receive UC Santa Cruz alumni award: Local business owner Kendra Baker is this year’s recipient of the UC Santa Cruz Distinguished Humanities Alumni Award, to be presented on May 27. After graduation from UCSC, Baker worked in local restaurants, trained in culinary skills on the East Coast and spent time working at restaurants throughout the U.S. and France. In 2010, she and Zach Davis opened the first Penny Ice Creamery in downtown Santa Cruz, and their company has now grown to include The Picnic Basket on Beach Street and Penny locations in Aptos, Scotts Valley, Pleasure Point, Palo Alto and Los Altos.
  • Granite Construction acquires Utah company: Watsonville-based Granite Construction has purchased Kenny Seng Construction, a construction and materials company based in Utah. The acquisition expands the company’s footprint in the state, includes a new quarry and will increase the types of construction projects the company can pursue. Kenny Seng’s primary client base include the education sector, civil infrastructure and private development. Granite, started in 1922, is one of the largest construction companies of its kind in the U.S.

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

What’s new on the Lookout Job Board

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Looking at the numbers

  • 100 years: That’s how old the Seascape Golf Club in Aptos is. The business first opened in March 1926 as the Rio Del Mar Country Club and later reopened in 1956 as Aptos Beach Country Club before eventually becoming Seascape. The golf course was designed and built by famous course designer Willie Locke, who designed courses throughout the state, according to the golf course’s private events director, Taylor Scaletti. The golf course, which is independent of the Seascape Beach Resort, returned to local ownership in 2018 after several years of corporate ownership. A number of anniversary events are planned for this year, including last weekend’s centennial golf tournament. 

Save the date 

  • Thursday, April 30: The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding a mixer at Pajaro Loaves and Fishes, 150 Second St., Watsonville. The event, scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m., will include networking, refreshments and raffles.
  • Wednesday, May 6: The Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon with the county’s new executive officer, Nicole Coburn. Coburn took the reins from Carlos J. Palacios, who retired at the end of last year. Coburn will speak about county budget matters, funding opportunities for local businesses and recommendations for how to do business with the county. The event is at the Live Oak Community Center, 979 17th Ave., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is available here.
  • Wednesday, May 6: Santa Cruz Works will hold its Rooftop New Tech event at the Anton Pacific building at 800 Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will feature a networking reception and presentations from six founders of startup companies. More details and tickets are available here.
  • Thursday, May 7: The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a cornhole tournament and mixer at GaryAir hangar, 50 Aviation Way, Watsonville, from 5 to 7 p.m. Details and registration are here.
  • Friday, May 8: The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual community awards event at Bret Harte Hall at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton. The event takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. More details here.
  • Wednesday, May 13: The Santa Cruz Launchpad job and recruitment fair takes place at The Grove on 400 Beach St. in Santa Cruz from 5 to 7 p.m. Employers can register to attend and have a table by April 29. More details here.
  • Friday, May 15: The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership will hold its 2026 Regional Economic Outlook, bringing together business, government and community leaders from Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. Featured speakers include Jon Haveman, executive director of the National Economic Education Delegation, and Sylvain Leduc, an executive director with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in Seaside. Registration, tickets and more details are available here.

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

Business news worth reading

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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...