Small business owners concerned about potential PG&E power shutoffs in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County administration is warning locals to prepare for power shutoffs in the event of a wildfire or fire danger. But certain small businesses are concerned a power shut off could hurt their businesses.

They tell KION their perishable products will spoil if the power is turned off, a big concern for The Penny Ice Creamery Co-owner Zachary Davis. He tells KION they’d only have a few hours to keep it all from melting if there was a shut off. They rely on large freezers to keep their ice cream stock in for customers.

“If the power goes out for an ice cream shop, that’s a pretty big deal. We have a fair bit of ice cream in our deep freeze, and we have ice cream in the case and it starts melting as soon as the power turns off,” Davis said.

Las Palmas Taco Bar Owner Rick Mendez echoed those concerns for the perishable items he stocks like meat, sauces and fresh vegetables.

“I’m a small business owner with small space. Even if it was bigger, there would be no place to put it anyways because when there’s not power, there’s no power,” Mendez said.

According to county administration, PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shut Offs could last 1-2 days, even longer than a week, depending on the severity of the weather.

The County’s Emergency Services Manager Rosemary Anderson recommends small businesses with perishable items invest in a generator.

The county said business owners and locals will get a 48-72 hour notice of a power shut off from PG&E if they sign up for alerts.

As for residents, the county is recommending they also get generators and that people with medical needs prepare alternate resources ahead of time. They can also download the county’s “Code Red” app to get alerts of fire dangers.