This week in Santa Cruz County business: Search on for new Chamber of Commerce CEO, Mackenzies Chocolates to close

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.

Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce CEO resigns

Casey Beyer has stepped down from his position as CEO of the Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce after over seven years.

Beyer took the helm in April 2017, replacing longtime leader Bill Tysseling. Beyer came to the chamber from the Santa Cruz County Business Council, where he served as executive director for two years. Prior to that, he was a senior adviser to the president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, a business association focused on developing and supporting regulatory policies promoting the regional tech and innovation economy. 

Beyer’s resignation became official Nov. 15. In a statement issued late last week, chamber leaders wrote, “The executive board wishes to express our sincere gratitude for the exceptional contributions Casey has made in propelling our chamber forward, navigating challenging times that included recovery from the recession and COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening the local economy and business community.”

The search for new leadership is underway. No word yet on Beyer’s next steps.

ICYMI: After 40 years, family-owned Mackenzies Chocolates to close on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve marks the last day in business for longtime chocolate company Mackenzies Chocolate on the corner of Soquel Avenue and Frederick Street. The business was started by Thelma and Colin Mackenzie, Canadian immigrants, in 1984. Their son, Ian, and his wife, Mary Rose, later took the reins. Now, the couple is looking forward to retirement. Check out Lily Belli’s full story here.

Ch-ch-changes: Openings, closings and other developments

• Santa Cruz launches Small Business Saturday guide: Saturday, Nov. 30, is officially Small Business Saturday, a movement launched to promote the country’s small businesses following the Black Friday blitz. The City of Santa Cruz Economic Development Office has put together a guide with this year’s featured sales and specials for shoppers looking to support local this coming weekend. 
• Dominican Hospital gets A for safety: The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit focused on patient safety, has given Dignity Health Dominican Hospital an A for hospital safety. The organization assigns letter grades A, B, C, D or F to general hospitals across the country based on 30 performance measures evaluating errors, accidents, injuries and infections. 
• California Giant Berry Farms employees raise $60,000 for nonprofit organizations: Employee fundraising efforts at Watsonville’s California Giant Berry Farms marked a new record this year, raising $60,000 for local nonprofits. That money will be distributed to 10 different nonprofit organizations including CASA of Santa Cruz County, Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services, Monarch Services and Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes. 
• Paystand named to Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list for a second year: Scotts Valley payments technology company Paystand is ranked 306 on this year’s Deloitte Technology Fast 500. The annual listing ranks the top fastest-growing companies in North America. Paystand experienced 380% revenue growth from 2020-23. Last year marked the company’s first year on the list, ranking at 210. Paystand’s blockchain-based technology enables companies to do things like automate payments for recurring bills and pay vendors directly without having to mail them a paper check. 
• Crest Ranch to open for limited holiday weekend: What’s touted as the oldest choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm in the state is preparing for an extremely limited season this year. Crest Ranch on Empire Grade Road in Santa Cruz will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Thanksgiving Day and continuing through Sunday, depending on how many trees are sold. Roughly 40,000 trees at the family-owned Christmas tree farm were consumed by the CZU Lightning Complex fire in August 2020. New trees have been planted, but current tree supply remains limited as regrowth continues. 
• New art gallery and shop opens in Pleasure Point: A new store started by a recent Bay Area transplant is focused on promoting up-and-coming artists as well as curated home goods. Sydney Pfaff opened And Friends earlier this month at 3627 Portola Dr., across from Cat & Cloud Coffee, after running a similar store in San Francisco for almost two decades. Pfaff and her family relocated last year to the Santa Cruz area from Sonoma County. 
• Down Works closing after 50 years: Down Works on River Street in Santa Cruz will close its doors by the end of this year as owners Nick and Shelley Gravem prepare for retirement. The couple, who met while attending UC Santa Cruz, opened the store in 1974, selling backpacks, custom sleeping bags and other camping and hiking supplies. The store is in the process of what Nick Gravem calls a “soft closing,” meaning they could close sooner depending on how much they sell. He said he and his wife are looking forward to spending more time with their grandchildren and doing what they love, including hiking and other outdoor activities. The pair had been sewing and creating their own backpacking gear for years before they opened Down Works. “We will keep doing the things we’ve always enjoyed doing,” Nick Gravem said. “It’s been a good time and we’ve enjoyed the customers we’ve met. … Nature lovers are a good group of people.” 

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

Looking at the numbers

• $8,000: That’s the current price for the 2001 trolley that formerly shuttled visitors and locals between downtown Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. City officials retired the trolley in 2019, replacing it with electric shuttles. But if you’ve ever considered owning your own vintage trolley, now’s your chance. Check out the listing here.
• $5.81: That’s the estimated cost of an average Thanksgiving meal per person this year, according to the latest report from the American Farm Bureau Federation. It’s down from last year’s average of $6.12 per person, thanks to lower costs on several key items, including turkey.

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Save the date 

• Monday, Dec. 2: For small businesses looking to brush up their social media skills, the Small Business Development Center of Santa Cruz is hosting a workshop from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. To register for the free, virtual event, go here.
• Wednesday, Dec. 4: Santa Cruz Works hosts its eighth annual Titans Awards ceremony, celebrating individuals who have made a significant contribution to Santa Cruz, Monterey or San Benito counties through their innovation, leadership and dedication to making a positive impact. The ceremony is at Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. Tickets and details here.
• Thursday, Dec. 5: The Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce will hold its holiday business after-hours networking event at Woodstock’s Pizza, 710 Front St. in Santa Cruz. The event, held from 5 to 7 p.m., is also a food drive to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food for the drive. More details here.

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Business news worth reading

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