Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1047605
C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 8 111 County followed, including restaurants and ounty followed, including restaurants and properties in Carmel, but the rough area of properties in Carmel, but the rough area of Cannery Row still presented problems. Cannery Row still presented problems. In 1969, vandals tried to set the Sardine n 1969, vandals tried to set the Sardine Factory on fire and destroy the property, but Factory on fire and destroy the property, but Factory on fire and destroy the property, but Balestreri and Cutino were determined to come Balestreri and Cutino were determined to come back bigger and better. And they did. With hard ack bigger and better. And they did. With hard ack bigger and better. And they did. With hard work and commitment, The Sardine Factory work and commitment, The Sardine Factory reopened and enjoyed enormous success. reopened and enjoyed enormous success. "We built the Monterey Plaza, which became "We built the Monterey Plaza, which became one of the most successful hotels in the Central one of the most successful hotels in the Central Coast of California," Balestreri says. "Restaurants Coast of California," Balestreri says. "Restaurants started booming down here. The Fish Hopper started booming down here. The Fish Hopper and Bubba Gump's are among the highest and Bubba Gump's are among the highest grossing restaurants in the area. Cannery Row grossing restaurants in the area. Cannery Row became a destination in itself." became a destination in itself." Today a bronze sculpture by Carmel artist Today a bronze sculpture by Carmel artist Steven Whyte in Steinbeck Plaza honors John Steven Whyte in Steinbeck Plaza honors John Steven Whyte in Steinbeck Plaza honors John Steinbeck, Ed Ricketts, Balestreri, Cutino, their Steinbeck, Ed Ricketts, Balestreri, Cutino, their business par tners Zarounian and Davidian, business par tners Zarounian and Davidian, Chinese fishermen and madam Flora Woods, Chinese fishermen and madam Flora Woods, Chinese fishermen and madam Flora Woods, who provides some local color, according to who provides some local color, according to Balestreri. "Woods was a kind woman and loved Balestreri. "Woods was a kind woman and loved in many ways," he laughs. in many ways," he laughs. Balestreri is 78, and while happily working, says Balestreri is 78, and while happily working, says his two sons Teddy and Vince will carry on the his two sons Teddy and Vince will carry on the direction of the company into the future. There direction of the company into the future. There are plans, long in development, to bring a luxury are plans, long in development, to bring a luxury 225-room hotel to the American Tin Cannery 225-room hotel to the American Tin Cannery property, which Balestreri says will be a huge property, which Balestreri says will be a huge economic driver for the town of Pacific Grove. economic driver for the town of Pacific Grove. economic driver for the town of Pacific Grove. "Cannery Row will keep evolving," Balestreri "Cannery Row will keep evolving," Balestreri says. "It has a personality on every block, every says. "It has a personality on every block, every street, and ever y building. You don't get street, and ever y building. You don't get bored…" bored…" Sea kayaking, walking or bicycling on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, whale watching, and exploring the Aquarium Sea kayaking, walking or bicycling on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, whale watching, and exploring the Aquarium are among the area's attractions. (Below) The Cannery Row Monument by sculptor Steven Whyte at Steinbeck Plaza. are among the area's attractions. (Below) The Cannery Row Monument by sculptor Steven Whyte at Steinbeck Plaza. Photo: Scott Campbell