What does this mean for Santa Cruz County Businesses?
Like all of you, we’ve been monitoring the evolving global impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and are in constant communication with the local businesses it is affecting. Small- and medium-sized businesses across Santa Cruz County are scrambling to figure out how to deal with the disruption of operations. We hear and relate to these struggles loud and clear.
Although Santa Cruz County currently only has nine confirmed cases of COVID-19, our community is still taking action to prevent the possibility of its spread. Some local updates of the status of COVID-19’s impact include the postponement or cancellation of:
- Aptos farmers market, starting March 21
- Aptos Wine Wander
- Santa Cruz Symphony concerts
- Santa Cruz flea market at former drive-in theater
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, concessions and Cocoanut Grove
- Boardwalk Bowl, closed as of Sunday
- Cabrillo College’s dental hygiene clinic and Pino Alto Restaurant/Sesnon House
- Santa Cruz Warriors
- Watsonville Film Festival
- Ocean Speedway
- Watsonville flea market at fairgrounds
- Roaring Camp’s all-chamber mixer
- Tea & fashion fundraiser at Seascape Beach Resort
- Museum of Art & History
- Episcopal churches throughout California
- Santa Cruz Bridge Center
- Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- Santa Cruz Kids Day
- Top Dog Film Festival
- Allman Betts Band at Rio Theatre
- Ayurveda Unveiled film at Rio Theatre
- Santa Cruz Chamber Business Expo
- Yoga Within, Aptos
- Performances of Considering Matthew Shepard at Cabrillo
- Georgiana Bruce Kirby School
- Porter Memorial Library
- Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon
- Sea Otter Classic in Monterey County
- Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer
- Pajaro Valley Unified School District job fair
- Cabrillo Community Education classes
- Capitola Recreation classes
- City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation classes, programs and events
- County of Santa Cruz Parks classes, programs and events
- City of Watsonville offices (police, fire and water are exempt)
Some are opting to create virtual events, including Twin Lakes Church weekend services, the Santa Cruz County Science and Engineering Fair and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership Economic Summit.
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Santa Cruz Flea Market (at former Sky View Drive-In Theater)
More than ever, Santa Cruz County businesses need our support. Here are some ways you, as a consumer, can help:
- Shop small online from your favorite local retailer
- Don’t put your current subscriptions on hold — local businesses still need your support!
- Buy a gift certificate from your favorite family-owned business
- Purchase your beauty products from your local salon
- Support local arts by pre-purchasing tickets for later in the year
- Subscribe to a local home delivery programs to receive produce directly to your home
- Buy a gift card from your favorite small-business restaurant
- Purchase your coffee in bulk from your favorite local coffee shop
- Leave positive reviews for small businesses you appreciate
- Share your appreciation on social media
- Snap a photo of your product and share it on social media
- What’s your favorite local business? How can you support them during this time?
Trust that every business in our community is putting precautions in place for the sole purpose of guiding us towards a healthier community. In a disruptive situation such as COVID-19, supporting Santa Cruz County’s local economy is more important than ever.
By supporting local businesses, we are able to keep money in the community to support other important initiatives through local sales tax earned: from education to the police and fire departments, to parks, and other publicly formed programs.
Of course, the top priority, now more than ever is to take care of yourself. Drink lots of water, get sleep, move your body daily, eat fruits and vegetables, and wash your hands — a lot!
There are lots of tiny actions we can take that will mean the world to small business owners in our community. Let’s make it happen.
Serving our community for over 29 years,
Patrice C. Edwards
www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx