Economic times might seem dismal, but that hasn’t stopped a handful of Scotts Valley businesses from successfully opening up shop.
Animal House
Brian Perea, 40, of the Animal House Pet Store on Scotts Valley Drive, said listening to community needs and keeping his shop small are vital to surviving the recession.
“We ask what the neighborhood wants,” Perea said. “It’s difficult — you can only buy as much as you need these days. We buy small and build from there.”
The Animal House, which opened March 21, is a neighborhood store that sells quality pet necessities, fish, birds, reptiles and rabbits. The shop also houses cats and kittens from Animal Friends Rescue Project.
“You can’t order too much — if you have too much overhead, you don’t make any money,” Perea said.
Perea, who worked as a retail manager for Home Depot for 15 years, got into the pet industry through his brother-in-law.
“It was something different to get into,” Perea said. “The retail part is the same, but because you’re dealing with animals, it’s different.”
Perea said Scotts Valley has been welcoming to the store.
“This is a pet-oriented community, and business is picking up every day. We’re doing good, getting more and more customers,” Perea said.
Coffee Fixx
Brian Gendron, 53, of Coffee Fixx on Scotts Valley Drive, opened his doors Jan. 1 and sells coffee grinders throughout the United States. Coffee Fix also sells grinder parts and repairs grinding equipment.
Gendron said his business is thriving despite the recession.
“The economy went downward, but the coffee business is doing really well. Our clients don’t seem to be experiencing any slumps,” Gendron said.
Cali Style
Kelly Tice, 29, owner of Cali Style on Mount Hermon Road near Taco Bell and Tim’s Chinese, is confident her store will survive, because it’s hard to find skate shoes and apparel locally.
“Of course, the economy made us nervous,” Tice said. “But we know there’s nothing like this in Scotts Valley.”
Tice opened Cali Style on May 1 with her boyfriend, Flynn Post. The couple had a screen-printing business in Felton but wanted to expand their retail offerings, Tice said.
“The store is right down the street from the skate park, so the location is good,” Tice said.
The shop features numerous skate brands, including Etnies, NorCal and DC, and sells clothing, shoes and skateboards.
“Moms are happy, because they don’t have to drive all the way to Santa Cruz for their kids’ skate shoes,” Tice said.
Thai Village
Duangjai Sachsel, 36, owner of Thai Village on Mount Hermon Road in the King’s Village Shopping Center, is gearing up to open a Thai cuisine restaurant June 1 in the building where Tucson Taqueria closed last month.
Thai Village will serve a lunch buffet and dinner at affordable prices, Sachsel said.
“Even with the down economy, I feel confident, because there aren’t any other Thai restaurants in Scotts Valley,” Sachsel said.
Sachsel, who is originally from Thailand, has lived in Scotts Valley five years. She opened Thai Noodle House in Santa Cruz six years ago and said she is excited to open another restaurant in Scotts Valley.
“People from Felton and Ben Lomond can now have access to affordable Thai food that is healthy,” said Sachsel, who comes from a family of Thai cooks.
Valley All-Star Elite
DeAnna Heywood, 28, of Valley All-Star Elite on Whispering Pines Drive, just opened up her cheerleading and tumbling facility May 3.
Heywood, who has coached cheer teams around the valley for 10 years, said she got the idea to open the gym after many of the girls she coached shared their desire to be more competitive with the sport.
All-Star Elite already has 40 girls learning from Heywood to cheer competitively.
“It’s actually very popular,” Heywood said.
The first-time business owner said she has high hopes for the 2,200-square-foot gym, which features spring floors that are perfect for tumbling.
“I’m not at all nervous about the coaching, but I’m a bit nervous about the business side of it,” Heywood said. “But I’ve gotten a lot of help from the parents of the girls I teach. It’s a good support group that’s helping me through it all.”
