{"id":16360,"date":"2026-04-08T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skybeaconnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/08\/this-week-in-santa-cruz-county-business-county-reaches-settlement-with-walgreens-businesses-invited-to-partake-in-world-cup-promotions\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T11:00:00","slug":"this-week-in-santa-cruz-county-business-county-reaches-settlement-with-walgreens-businesses-invited-to-partake-in-world-cup-promotions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skybeaconnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/08\/this-week-in-santa-cruz-county-business-county-reaches-settlement-with-walgreens-businesses-invited-to-partake-in-world-cup-promotions\/","title":{"rendered":"This week in Santa Cruz County business: County reaches settlement with Walgreens; businesses invited to partake in World Cup promotions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Quick Take<\/h2>\n

Jessica M. Pasko's weekly column returns with news of Santa Cruz County getting more than half a million from pharmacy giant Walgreens and local businesses' chance to get in on World Cup fever, plus names, numbers and dates to know.<\/p>\n

Each week, we\u2019re taking a closer look at the movers and shakers, the growth of industries and what\u2019s really driving the Santa Cruz County economy. I\u2019ll be spotlighting some of the biggest areas for opportunity, updates on local development and all things underpinning the regional business scene each Wednesday.<\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n

Got ideas? Send them my way to <\/strong><\/em>news@lookoutlocal.com<\/em><\/strong> with \u201cBusiness News\u201d in the subject line.<\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n

Walgreens to pay settlement to Santa Cruz County and eight other counties<\/h3>\n

Retail pharmacy giant Walgreens has reached a $6 million settlement with a coalition of nine county district attorneys, including Santa Cruz County\u2019s Jeff Rosell. The settlement stems from claims that the corporation charged consumers more than the lower advertised price for items and sold expired over-the-counter products, including aspirin and hand sanitizer. Walgreens was accused of violating consumer protection laws tied to pricing accuracy and product safety. <\/p>\n

The other counties in the civil suit were Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, San Joaquin and Yolo counties. <\/p>\n

Walgreens currently operates stores locally in Santa Cruz, Freedom and Scotts Valley. <\/p>\n

Of the $6 million that Illinois-based Walgreens must pay in civil penalties and costs, about $644,500 will go to Santa Cruz County. Some of that money will go to reimbursing the county Department of Weights and Measures, which assisted with inspections and provided expertise. \t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tMORE IN LOCAL BUSINESS \t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n

Local businesses invited to promote World Cup-related activities<\/h3>\n
Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara, seen here during a match in 2016, will host men\u2019s World Cup games from June 13 to July 1. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Santa Cruz County businesses interested in hosting watch parties or other events in conjunction with the 2026 men\u2019s soccer World Cup are invited to contact Visit Santa Cruz County. The county\u2019s tourism marketing organization invites businesses to submit their event and use the Kick off Santa Cruz <\/a>logo<\/a> by contacting Melissa Begin at mbegin@santacruz.org. <\/p>\n

Any event or promotion must also comply with copyright guidelines; businesses can review the Bay Area Public Screening Playbook<\/a> for guidance. The Bay Area will host select matches at Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara from June 13 to July 1; the 48-team tournament<\/a> runs from June 11 to July 19 at venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the final set for MetLife Stadium outside New York City. <\/p>\n

Business owners can also still share their input to a survey launched by county leaders last fall in advance of the Super Bowl and World Cup. That survey is available here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

ICYMI: Village Foods meal delivery expands toward Live Oak storefront after rapid rise<\/h3>\n
\"Village
Every Monday, a team of Village Foods delivery drivers drops off orders on customers\u2019 doorsteps. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A former product marketing manager has turned her love of cooking into a new business aimed at helping busy community members, especially parents like herself. <\/p>\n

Kelly Langstaff launched Village Foods last spring, offering customers the opportunity to personalize their orders rather than being limited to a set menu. Meals are delivered on Mondays, helping set the work week off with a fridge full of food. <\/p>\n

Read Lily Belli\u2019s full story here.<\/a> <\/p>\n

Ch-ch-changes<\/h3>\n