Small Businesses to Support This Labor Day Weekend in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Every long weekend, I try to make a point of spending money at places owned by people I actually know instead of just defaulting to whatever's closest to the highway. Living up here makes that easier than it sounds. Most of what I need is already run by a neighbor, a client, or someone I see at the farmers market. Labor Day is as good a reason as any to make that a habit instead of something I only think about when I remember.

Labor Day 2026 lands on September 7, which gives you Saturday, Sunday, and a real Monday off to actually use. That's more time to eat out, run errands, and enjoy the towns you live in instead of just driving through them on the way to somewhere else. It's also a good excuse to put some of that time and money toward small businesses instead of the usual chains down the hill.

Here are a few in Felton, Ben Lomond, and Scotts Valley worth building part of your weekend around.

For Your Morning Coffee Run

Coffee Nine in Ben Lomond is where I send people who want more than a drive-through cup. The menu is built around Chef Mo's own baking, so the bagels, croissants, muffins, and loaf breads are made in-house rather than trucked in. They open early, 5 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on weekends, so it works whether you're up before the trail or rolling in slow on a holiday morning. There's also a small gift shop inside carrying work from local artists, and a weekly pizza night that's turned into its own kind of supper club.

Why it's worth a visit: It's the rare coffee shop that's also a bakery, a gathering spot, and a place to pick up something made by someone local, all in one stop.

For a Long Weekend Meal

Empire Grille in Felton is a family-owned spot serving grilled meats and simple, fresh sides, the kind of food that's built for a table of people who've been outside all day and just want to eat well without fuss. It's only been open a couple of years, but it's already built a real following, and it's open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., including the holiday itself, so it's an easy option if you don't want to plan around a closure.

Why it's worth a visit: No pretense, no long wait for a table, just straightforward food from people who describe their own place as somewhere people come to linger, not just eat.

For Something to Bring Home

Zinnia's Gift Boutique in Scotts Valley is owned by Dedra and Tim Bennett, who took over the shop after leaving corporate careers behind, a decision that shows in how personally the place is run. It's the kind of store where home decor, jewelry, and gourmet kitchen items sit next to work from local artisans, so you can walk out with something for your own house or an actual gift instead of one more generic candle. The Bennetts have kept it an active part of the Scotts Valley business community since taking it over.

Why it's worth a visit: It's the kind of shop where the person ringing you up might also be the owner, and the merchandise reflects an actual point of view instead of whatever's trending.

For a Service You'll Use

Mountain Feed & Farm Supply in Ben Lomond started in 2004 as a straightforward feed store for pets and farm animals and has since grown into a full sustainable living center, seeds, starts, soil, beekeeping supplies, and classes on things like food preservation. The San Lorenzo Valley Post has described it as the kind of place people stop into on a lunch break just to slow down for a few minutes, and the staff curate what they carry around what actually grows well in this valley's particular climate, not a one-size-fits-all inventory.

Why it's worth a visit: If you live up here, you're probably managing a well, a septic system, or a garden that doesn't behave like a flatland garden. This is the place that actually understands that, and a big-box store an hour away doesn't.

A quick honest note on all four: holiday hours can shift last minute, so it's worth a quick call or a glance at their page before you drive out, especially for Monday itself.

Why This Matters Beyond One Weekend

Small businesses are what make a town feel like somewhere instead of anywhere you're passing through. They're also usually run by someone who lives in these mountains too, sends their kids to the same schools, and puts what they make back into the community instead of a corporate account somewhere else.

Every dollar spent locally does more than a dollar spent at a chain. It's a small thing, but it adds up faster than people expect, especially in towns this size.

A Note From Me

Part of loving what I do is getting to know the people who make Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, and Scotts Valley feel like home, not just the streets and the trailheads, but the businesses tucked into them. If you ever want recommendations beyond what's in this post, just ask. I've got a running list, and it grows every time a client tells me about a place I hadn't tried yet.

Here's Exactly What to Do Next

Want more local recommendations, or curious what it actually looks like to put down roots up here?

→ Follow me on Instagram @santacruzmountainliving, where I share small business spotlights and local favorites all year.

→ Sign up for my Santa Cruz Mountains newsletter for local recommendations and market updates in one place.