Two violent incidents which left one man dead and two men injured in the last two months of 2016 around Cannery Row in Monterey have led to the closure of one restaurant, with another on thin ice.
The Giant Artichoke, which opened its Cannery Row location in 2013, closed effective Jan. 2, says Michael Zimmerman, president of the Cannery Row Company, the property owner.
He would not give specifics as to why the restaurant and bar abruptly closed, citing confidentiality provisions in the lease agreement.
The Cannery Row Company is also the landlord for the Blue Fin Cafe and Billiards, where it is also exploring its options.
“We had a stabbing there two or three weeks ago,” Zimmerman says of a incident on Dec. 3, where two men, allegedly from rival gangs, stabbed each other in Blue Fin. “We’re aware of the issues, we’re looking at options, but there isn’t a conclusion that’s been reached yet.”
Negotiations between Blue Fin, the Cannery Row Company and the Monterey Police Department are ongoing.
“I’ve heard the Cannery Row Company express concerns about both businesses,” says Monterey City Manager Mike McCarthy, “but I couldn't comment on their plans with them.”
Sara Rubin contributed to this report.
(3) comments
I have agree with the previous comments. I go down to Cannery Row a couple time a month to hear live music, but I was never very tempted to go into the Giant Artichoke with its loud, thumping, canned noise (and bad reviews). The Blue Fin used to have some good live music, but I gave up on them long ago, since they attract a bad element and you have to practically be strip searched just to enter the premises.
Greed. Cannery row company needs to put an end to this violence. They make plenty of money
Please explain to me when the place of my childhood memories became extra gansta to the point where businesses close?
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