Cannery prepares for partial reopening

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- Hoping not to fade from memory, operators of the revived

Cannery restaurant will open its doors on a limited basis beginning

Thursday.

The Newport landmark that was scheduled for demolition in favor of new

condominiums will be open four days a week until the end of the year. The

new hours will be Thursday through Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday,

noon to 7 p.m.

With its closure last month, the restaurant appeared to be doomed, but

Newport resident Jack Croul purchased the property from developers.

Longtime owner Bill Hamilton, who will help to get the restaurant up and

running, said it was important to have customers back where they belong.

“We wanted to keep things active and keep the memory of the restaurant

alive,” he said. “Getting back to full speed won’t be easy. It will be a

slow process.”

Part of the trouble is self-induced: When it was apparent the Cannery was

going to be shut down, Hamilton began helping his employees find other

jobs. Now, Hamilton must find a new crew because nearly all of his former

workers are employed.

“When we open this week, we will have a half-dozen at most,” he said. “We

went out of our way to ensure our employees found new jobs.”

Hamilton admitted there is plenty of work to be done before the

restaurant opens seven days a week. Because the building was supposed to

be torn down, Hamilton didn’t worry too much about maintenance in the

last year. He said the next several weeks will be spent upgrading and

repairing the restaurant.

The bar and lounge will be open to the public, but customers won’t have a

full menu until January. However, there will be a seafood bar available,

along with karaoke for amateur crooners.

Hamilton also noted it will be difficult to turn a profit at the

restaurant without live entertainment. The city council denied Hamilton’s

application for live entertainment two years ago. He doesn’t believe the

new owner will reapply for the permit after speaking with Croul several

times.

“He’s not your average investor,” Hamilton added. “The permit is not what

he needs. He’s more interested in keeping history alive and having a good

restaurant.”

The Cannery might increase its hours of operation during the holidays.

Hamilton is also excited about the prospect of ringing in the new year at

the restaurant.

“Looks like we’ll be throwing a party,” he said. “One thing is for sure

... it won’t be expensive as some of those other parties.”