In addition to The Dolphin restaurant (see previous post), several other long-time Santa Cruz County restaurants have recently closed or changed ownership. Most in the news is the former Mission Street site of Emily's Bakery, which closed after 41 years in business. The new owners have applied for permits to open a [medical] cannabis dispensary there, and there is substantial neighborhood opposition, but it looks like the city will eventually approve the application. The City Council will hear an appeal of the recent Planning Commission approval on May 14, in a public meeting. [5/16 update: the City Council approved, in a 6-1 vote]
Other closings and/or ownership changes in Santa Cruz include Soif Wine Bar & Merchants, on Walnut Avenue, which closed in 2022 and has reopened in 2024 as Hook and Line seafood restaurant.
The fate of highly-rated Alderwoods seems uncertain after executive chef Jeffrey Wall quit suddenly. That followed the equally-sudden closing last fall. of the restaurant's second location on Pacific Avenue.
A change of name to Cafe GSC failed to reverse the fortunes of the former Cafe Gratitude, which closed last October after 13 years of serving vegan-friendly fare in Santa Cruz.
Out in the Harvey West neighborhood, what is arguably Santa Cruz' oldest restaurant is for sale: the fate of the venerable Bocci's Cellar is up in the air until a new owner takes over.
Out in Aptos, Cafe Sparrow is closing after 38 years, and Palapas restaurant is changing ownership and name after 34 years at its Seascape location. The new name will be Dos Pescados, with a similar Mexican seafood theme. If they keep the Palapas margarita recipes, all should be well.
A shout-out here is in order to Lilli Belli, Lookout Santa Cruz reporter, for keeping us informed of all these changes.
