Stretch of Highway 9 reopens

Highway 9 between Paradise Park and Glengarry Road reopened Friday, but many had no idea after weeks of no access following winter storms.

“I didn’t know it was open. I knew it was closed,” Ben Lomond resident Pete Wildberger said.

Chris Jakubsin, shift manager at New Leaf Market and Bakery in Felton, said it explained why he got to see some familiar faces.

“A few customers who have not been in for a long time have come in today,” Jakubsin said.

Jakubsin said between bad weather and road closures, sales dropped 10 to 20 percent this winter.

“With the road between here and Santa Cruz closed, plus part of the road up to Boulder Creek closed, it’s definitely affected our business,” Jakubisin said.

Other businesses felt the impact, too.

“It’s just been a little crazy in the valley. If you make it home, especially after coming over (Highway) 17, you are happy to be home, not really thinking about where you are going out afterwards,” Cowboy Bar and Grill owner Jim Geary said.

But now that the road is clear, residents and businesses said they’re ready for summer.

“Oh, it’s business as usual,” Wildberger said.

“I’m just glad that highway is back open again, and like I said, with tourist season coming up, it will be great for business,” Jakusin said.

Both residents and business owners said the county did a great job getting the road back open fast.