This week in Santa Cruz County business: Scotts Valley solar cell company goes dark; passing the torch at Alta Organic Coffee

Quick Take

In her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on the demise of Ambient Photonics, notes a generational shift at a local coffee roaster and delivers names, numbers and events to know.

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.

Ambient Photonics quietly shuts down amid funding shortfalls and increased costs driven by tariffs

Just a couple of years after opening a 43,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in a tucked-away business complex in Scotts Valley, solar cell technology company Ambient Photonics has closed its doors.

The company, founded in 2019, sought to reduce consumer dependency on single-use, disposable batteries by providing a replacement in the form of small solar cells. Ambient’s proprietary solar cells were built to harvest and store energy under low-light conditions. That made them well-suited for small appliances such as computer mice and keyboards. Ambient’s products quickly earned the attention of major players like Google and Lenovo. Lenovo even incorporated the company’s solar cells into a Bluetooth computer keyboard it rolled out last year.

But tariffs hit the company hard as it was ramping up production of the solar cells, and investors couldn’t make up the difference in increased costs. Now the company’s equipment and materials are being auctioned off this week, and its founders have moved on to new roles. Read more here.

ICYMI: After 40 years, Alta Organic Coffee founder passes her legacy to a new generation

Alta Organic Coffee founder Patti Spooner (center) passed her 40-year-old coffee business to Melia Spooner (left) and Lilly Spooner on Jan. 1. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Four decades after founding Davenport-based roastery Alta Organic Coffee, Patti Spooner is handing the baton to her granddaughter and “honorary granddaughter.”

Lilly and Melia Spooner are taking over the company with a commitment to the company’s organic certification, small-batch, old-school roasting style, and a few new ideas to boot.

Lily Belli spoke to the Spooner trio to learn more about the transition and how the younger Spooners plan to modernize the business while remaining true to its roots. Read that piece here.

Ch-ch-changes

Homeless Garden Project back to original downtown location: Nonprofit Homeless Garden Project’s downtown retail store is back in its original home at 1338 Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz. Flooding issues had forced the organization to close its store there in September and it temporarily moved across the street to a former shoe store.
City officials seek new tenant for Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf: Santa Cruz city officials are looking to fill a 1,030-square-foot retail location on the municipal wharf. The space previously housed the store Made in Santa Cruz. Available in February, monthly rent for the space is the greater of $3,090 or 10% of gross sales. Lease terms are flexible, with a preference for one to five years. Those interested should contact the city’s development manager, Dave McCormic, at dmccormic@santacruzca.gov.
Local seafood company files for bankruptcy: The parent company linked to Santa Cruz-based tuna jerky company Pescavore has filed for bankruptcy. Earlier this month, Healthy Oceans Seafood filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Northern District of California. Chapter 11 helps reorganize a struggling company’s debts to allow it to stay open and become solvent. The court filings list approximately $2 million in assets and over $1 million in debt. The move comes as Pescavore co-founder Clarice Owens faces a felony stalking charge and 34 misdemeanors in Santa Cruz County Superior Court. Last week, a judge ordered her to remain in custody until her scheduled trial in March.
New deputy county executive appointed: Longtime Santa Cruz County employee Sven Stafford has been named the new deputy county executive under Nicole Coburn, the county’s executive officer. Stafford has worked for the county for a decade, most recently serving as principal administrative analyst.

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

What’s new on the Lookout Job Board

Associate Director for Clinical Services at UC Santa Cruz
Family Office Associate at Private Family Office
Finance Director at Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
Music Director and Accompanist at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County
Director of Health Promotion at UC Santa Cruz

Want more? Browse all openings on our job board. | Hiring? Post your job today!

Save the date

Wednesday, Jan. 28: The Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual employment law workshop, focused on new employment laws in 2026. Michael Manoukian, partner with Lathrop GPM, will lead the workshop, to be held at the Museum of Art & History in Santa Cruz from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 28: Santa Cruz Works will present the 2025 Titans Awards, which recognize individuals for their achievements in business, technology and entrepreneurship in the Monterey Bay region. The event takes place at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here. Read about this year’s awardees here.
Wednesday, Jan. 28: The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting and mixer at Circle & Square Bistro in Corralitos at 2904A Freedom Blvd. The event takes place from 5 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 29: The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership will hold its 10th anniversary gala at the Monterey Bay Aquarium from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Attendees will include business leaders, policymakers and community leaders working to tackle the tri-county region’s most pressing challenges. For tickets and additional details, go here.
Thursday, Jan. 29: The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will host a networking mixer from 5 to 7 p.m. at Other Brother Beer Company’s new Aptos tasting room at 10 Parade St., Suite B.
Thursday, Jan. 29: Santa Cruz city officials are holding a virtual public meeting about the proposed Catalyst nightclub demolition and housing project. The meeting is an opportunity for community members to learn more about the proposal, which calls for tearing down 1009, 1011 and 1015 Pacific Ave., combining the three lots into one and building 64 residential units with ground-floor retail space. The virtual meeting takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Thursday, Feb. 26: Santa Cruz Pride will hold a workshop for executives, business owners, human resources professionals and managers at the Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz from 9 a.m. to noon. The event, titled Elevate LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion: The Power of Belonging, will include real stories from local businesses, networking and more. Speakers include Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez and Sharon Papo, the CEO of LGBTQ eLearning. Register here to attend.
Friday, March 13: The Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards gala takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Chaminade Resort and Spa in Santa Cruz. Nominations are currently open for person of the year, business of the year, educator of the year, outstanding youth and the community spirit awards. For registration, details and the nomination form, click here.
Thursday, April 16: The Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual community recognition awards event at The Grove in Santa Cruz from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Early bird registration is available through March 15.