Pacific Trading Company
Pacific Trading Co. is locally owned and operated by our team of 3; mom and two daughters.
It was 1985 when Carolyn Heinrich bought the business with 2 locations in Santa Cruz and Capitola. The sisters, Anandi Heinrich and Rama Zoe Heinrich grew up in the business, hanging out with Mom downtown, steaming clothes and helping out. Together we have built and maintained a Santa Cruz destination, offering beautiful clothes, and amazing customer service to Santa Cruz County women for over 35 years!
PTC offers a curated collection of Women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories and shoes from over 100 brands. Perhaps the success of the business is partly due to the combination of incredible basics you can count on, with a constant, fresh assortment of newness. With new deliveries daily, there is never a dull moment. Many mothers and daughters shop with us, demonstrating our broad customer base and echoing our vision. We value quality and longevity in the products we sell. Each piece should make you feel confident, beautiful and should last for years in your wardrobe. We partner with brands who prioritize minimizing their environmental impact and who are socially responsible; check out our Look Closer campaign.
The business has been blessed with growth and success for many years, but certainly not without challenges! The biggest challenges were the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, the recession of 2008, adapting to the changing retail environment and most recently the Covid-19 pandemic. But between losing buildings, selling out of a retail tent post-earthquake, and facing different challenges, there has still been growth and innovation. We have gone through multiple locations, remodels and expansions. Together, we have continued to provide a welcoming retail space to the community.
One of the foundations of the success of the business has always been the team at PTC. The “family” reaches past just the 3 of us to the valuable employees who have been with the store for many years. Theresa Roades, General Manager, started with PTC in 1992. Nancy Levan, Jewelry and Accessories Buyer, in 1994. Jessie Cutler, buyer, in 2004. Over the years there have been so many cherished employees who have helped to grow the business and to create a positive and productive team and working environment. The business would not have thrived over the years without the amazing team of loyal employees.
Today we, Carolyn, Anandi and Rama Zoe, continue to run the day to day operations of the business with a team of 30 employees. Carolyn handles the books and so much more. Anandi is the Social Media and Visual Director and oversees the merchandising team to create a beautiful store presentation. Rama Zoe oversees the buying with the buying team, searching for the best of the best for the store. A common thread runs through the 3 of us; a love for Santa Cruz, nature, the ocean, gardening, birds, good food and especially a love for our family and friends. And, of course a true love for the perfect pair of jeans! Each of us has our area of expertise, and together we strive to maintain a positive and healthy retail and workplace environment.
We hope that you enjoy your shopping experience at PTC. Thank you for making us part of your community!
““Anandi Heinrich sees power in people sharing their stories and working together. That’s part of why she started the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs for women business owners and leaders in Santa Cruz””
““‘We all have the same goals — to make downtown more beautiful and more positive,’ said Heinrich, 47, who would like to see more flowers downtown. She co-owns the Pacific Avenue retail shop Pacific Trading Co. with her sister, Rama Zoe Heinrich, 41. They grew up in the shop after their mother bought it in 1985.””
““‘We wanted to shine a light on how much good is happening in this neighborhood all the time,’ Anandi Heinrich ... The women at Pacific Trading Co. use clothing to help their devoted clientele feel good about their appearance.””
