Shirli McLaughlin’s final chapter: Friends remember community-building Ben Lomond shopkeeper
When I first stepped foot inside the Third Hand Store in Ben Lomond, a Canadian tasked with covering the quirky and community-oriented Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley region for a traditional print newspaper, I was hoping to find some threads to suit the...
First Saison Cellar & Wine Bar to open in Scotts Valley this month
First-of-its-kind Saison Cellar & Wine Bar will launch to the public with a grand opening on Thursday, Oct. 26.
Local winemaker and Saison Hospitality Co-Founder and Beverage Director Mark Bright invites the Santa Cruz County community to celebrate his new Scotts Valley wine bar and...
Florist to offer delivery service for San Lorenzo Valley customers
When Bakersfield resident Maria Rios started laying the groundwork for a Santa Cruz County expansion of her flower company, she booked a room at Masood’s Lodge in Boulder Creek so she could teach Watsonville-based Jorge Cervantes and his mom the tricks of the trade.
At...
Iconic ice cream, food truck businesses change hands
LaLi Kates, founder of both Food Trucks A Go Go and Aunt LaLi’s Treats, a leader in the food truck industry, has announced the successful sale of the businesses to Josh Swart.
The acquisition marks a significant milestone for all involved parties and presents exciting...
ATM stolen from Spanky’s Café
After consecutive break-ins, Spanky’s Café in Ben Lomond is now missing an ATM.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies responded to a report of a burglary at an establishment along the 9500 block of Highway 9 on May 12.
“An ATM was stolen from...
Ben Lomond resident takes helm at Coffee 9
Mo L’Esperance got her start into food service at a pizza place in Southern California.
“I got hired as a cashier,” she recalled. “Within two weeks I was in the back cooking, because it was more fun.”
And after stints “back-of-house” in San Francisco, along the...
Ben Lomond businesses rejoice as Highway 9 reopens
The March 31 reopening of Highway 9 south of Ben Lomond, after months where crews fought to clear a landslide and repair the San Lorenzo Valley lifeline, has brought plenty of joy to the spirits of Ben Lomond business owners.
Raffaele Cristallo, the proprietor of...
Boulder Creek man turns passion for knives into burgeoning business
Boulder Creek resident Lee Ross wanted a knife since he was 7 years old. His parents got him one after he turned 8.
“I still have the stitch marks to show for it,” he says, wistfully, ruminating on the value of a good blade, following...
San Lorenzo Valley welcomes new restaurants
San Lorenzo Valley residents, rejoice! Our taste buds have been invited to dance with two new restaurants: Aroma in Ben Lomond and The Grove in Felton.
Read on to learn more about each.
Aroma presents local flare
Chef Mario Ibarra is a well-known and beloved part...
Salesforce Cancels Contract with Retreat Center
As Silicon Valley’s post-pandemic pullback continues, the 100 promised jobs at Scotts Valley’s 1440 Multiversity are the latest to have hit the chopping block, as Salesforce axed its contract with the retreat center.
Employees have been scrambling to find new employment and nonprofit service providers...
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground reopening delayed
California State Parks has announced the delayed reopening of the seasonal campground at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, now scheduled for Aug. 1, instead...