Aptos Village Business Owners Adapt to COVID-19

By Jondi Gumz

Walk around the old Aptos Village, and you’ll see how business owners are making changes to survive this COVID-19 pandemic.

Nobody wants to spread this contagious coronavirus, but everyone has to figure out how to make a living under the health officer’s safety restrictions.

Del Crawford, co-owner of Mulberry Gallery for 26 years, knows everybody in this part of the village. He took me on a walking tour to connect with his friends and neighbors in the business community.

At Warmth Company, a destination boutique for female shoppers, Monica and Naomi Emmert have set out hand sanitizer at the front door. There’s a limit on the number of people allowed inside, and of course you must wear a mask.

In the past, women would drive from the San Francisco Bay Area to shop, then enjoy lunch afterward at Café Sparrow around the corner enjoying the French style. Because of COVID-19, Café Sparrow cannot serve food indoors. Unlike some restaurants, there is no patio or parking lot space for outdoor seating. So Café Sparrow’s owners, Bob and Julie Montague, are offering takeout — not as appealing to the Warmth Company clientele.

“I have sent our customers to Bittersweet,” said Monica Emmert, referring to the bistro at the next exit. “They want ‘chick food.’”

Or she suggests Akira, another restaurant within walking distance with some outdoor tables.

She’s thinking about a “girls’ night out” picnic dinner.

“People want something fun to do,” she said.

At Mortgage Results, owner Mary Russell said she’s done a lot of mortgage refinances because interest rates dropped so much.

Interest on a 15-year year mortgage was down to 1.9 percent, she said.

When Crawford said he was thinking of hosting pop-ups for local artists in his space, before his lease runs out in April.

“What a great idea!” Russell said.

Adele Talmadge, in the office of Talmadge Construction, said she misses attorney John D. Schuyler, who had a practice in the building. He has retired.

At Caroline’s Nonprofit Thrift Shop, which raises money for local nonprofits that help children, owner Christy Licker said, “It’s tricky for us.”

She’s been able to raise $2 million since she opened in 2012 – relying on 60 volunteers who believe in her mission to staff the shop.

“Our leader is so dynamic,” said volunteer Sharon Smith. “You can’t help but want to be a part of the team.”

The place is set up like a department store, with home goods and clothing styled to perfection. It’s a big space, which allows for social distancing, with good ventilation, which reduces virus spread.

But many of Caroline’s volunteers are people who are retired, advancing in years, unwilling to risk contact with the public for fear of catching COVID-19.

With only 15 volunteers available, Caroline’s is no longer open on Sundays.

Want to help? Call Christy Licker, 831-662-0327.

With some polish, the historic Bayview Hotel, owned by Christina Locke, could be the crown jewel of Aptos.

Across the street, Aptos BBQ has set up umbrella tables outdoors to comply with the rule prohibiting indoor dining.

Aptos Glass moved into the space vacated by Caroline’s.

Walking by Café Sparrow, Crawford shared another idea for the empty dining room: What if Community Television could film an auction or a telethon here raising money for local nonprofits?

At Gravity, saddlemaker Shamms Bennadja, who is originally from France, put a closed sign on his door.

He used to keep the door open but now he doesn’t want walk-ins for fear of catching COVID-19.

He’s been designing beautiful custom saddles since 2013.

Now he works by appointment. Horses are not affected by COVID-19 but business is slower. Horse owners think twice before confirming an order or repair.

The virus has affected his personal life, too.

Ordinarily his brothers would come from France for a visit, but this year, it’s not happening because of COVID-19.

Sarah Fischer, owner of Sarah’s European Skin Care, said her business has always been one on one. She noted she has an interesting location.

“This used to be a brothel,” she said. “Text me for an appointment.”

At Cantine Winepub, six umbrella tables in the front of the building are a new addition.

Kevin Temple and Christina Borbely enjoyed a glass of wine there on Friday night.

Manager Patrick Green has another five tables outside in the back, but this doesn’t make up for losing 16 tables inside due to the COVID-19 prohibition on indoor dining.

Owners Jason and Keiki McKay have been busy because this year they (with business partner Jon Bates) bought the Seabright Brewery, founded in Santa Cruz in 1988 by Charlie Meehan and Keith Cranmer. Seabright Brewery is known for craft beer and its larger outdoor patio.

With the mid-March order to close non-essential businesses, the shutdown was not disruptive for Seabright Brewery.

“It gave them time to gut and remodel,” Green said.

Seabright Brewery reopened June 5, and Cantine Winepub reopened June 6.

www.theaptosvillage.com