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Santa Cruz County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program: 831-454-4141
As retailers adapt to changing customer needs and tobacco sales trends, there are opportunities to grow your business in new ways. This toolkit provides practical ideas and local resources to help retailers attract customers, offer new products and services, strengthen connections with the community, and succeed without relying on tobacco product sales.
Consider partnering with a third-party delivery or online ordering service to make your products more convenient for customers and reach new customers beyond your immediate location. Compare available services, fees, requirements, and features to determine which option is right for your business.
Reach families in your community and become a convenient part of their regular shopping routine by becoming a WIC-authorized vendor. WIC is a federal nutrition program that helps pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children under age five access healthy foods. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) accepts WIC vendor applications year-round and does not charge retailers an application fee. CDPH also provides vendor education, cashier training tools, transaction tips, and other resources to help stores successfully participate.
Questions? E-mail: WICVendorInfo@cdph.ca.gov or call 855-942-7867.
Accepting CalFresh/EBT can help your business reach more customers and increase sales of eligible food products. SNAP, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps eligible households purchase nutritious food essential to health and well-being. CalFresh is California’s SNAP program. Customers use an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to purchase SNAP-eligible items at participating retailers.
Becoming a SNAP retailer is a simple, online process with no application fee.
Questions? Call the SNAP Retailer Service Center at 1-877-823-4369 or visit the Retailer Service Center webpage.
Avoid state and local tobacco retail licensing fees by replacing tobacco products with products that your customers use regularly and that can help make up for lost sales.
The Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of the Northern California SBDC program. Services include advising, workshops, and regional training programs. Small business owners can also use financial advising services via the Santa Cruz SBDC Finance Center. Visit www.santacruzsbdc.org or call 831-479-6136.
The Santa Cruz County Business Council is a membership and advocacy organization that represents interests of Santa Cruz County businesses such as workforce housing, local governance, infrastructure and transportation, and local economic development. Visit https://www.sccbusinesscouncil.com/ or call 831-588-6173.
The Chamber of Commerce hosts workshops and events that offer networking opportunities and support prospective and current small- or medium-sized businesses. Retailers can also utilize the Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce’s marketing services such as referrals and press releases. Visit www.santacruzchamber.org/small-business.html or call 831-457-3713.
The Santa Cruz County Office of Economic Development (OED) provides a variety of services for businesses or projects such as connections to business help and financing. Such services are intended to help businesses with loans, workforce development, and general business-related questions. Visit sccvitality.org or call 831-454-2100.
Pacific Northwest Regional VBOC’s mission is to support veterans, transitioning service members, and their spouses with end-to-end support for long-term success. They serve Northern California (including Santa Cruz County), Oregon and Washington. With the help of partners like the U.S. Small Business Administration, VBOC provides mentorship, business training, and strategic resources to help clients successfully navigate entrepreneurship. Visit norcalvboc.org or call 916-527-8400.
The Regional Women’s Business Center (RWBC) is a program of El Pájaro Community Development Corporation that serves Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties. RWBC provides multilingual business tools, coaching, education, and resources. Visit www.elpajarocdc.org/the-regional-womens-business-center or call 831-722-3128.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers resources for planning, launching, managing, and growing your business or securing federal government contracts. Additional services include business counseling and loans as well as home and business disaster loans. Visit www.sba.gov to learn more.
The Simplified Savings Program supports small business customers that operate within disadvantaged and hard-to-reach communities through information and activities that may provide immediate savings on their energy bill. Find out more about eligibility requirements at www.simplifiedsavingsprogram.com.
Score (Service Corps of Retired Executives) offers a library of marketing resources such as step-by-step planning tools, downloadable templates, and expert how-to guides. New or aspiring business owners can also qualify for free small business assistance. Visit the website for a catalog of on-demand webinars, courses, and upcoming virtual events at www.score.org/centralcoast or call 831-621-3735.
The Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program provides retailer guidance on energy-efficient refrigeration, equipment maintenance, healthy food displays, and strategies for selling fresh fruits and vegetables. The site also provides information about CDFA's Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program and other funding opportunities. Retailers can sign up to receive notifications on future grant opportunities.
Creating a safe, welcoming business environment benefits both retailers and the community. Simple steps—such as keeping the store and surrounding property clean, maintaining adequate lighting, securing dumpsters, and addressing safety concerns—can help discourage crime and illegal activity, build customer trust, and create a stronger sense of community around your business.
Call 911 if any of these situations are happening on your business property:
Call your community’s non-emergency dispatch if these situations occur:
Local non-emergency dispatch numbers:
Include the exact street location, nearby cross streets, and a photo if possible, to help crews locate and repair the hazard quickly. Note: Potholes in a parking lot of a business are the responsibility of the property owner.