Cannery dodges the wrecking ball

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The Cannery Restaurant won’t be canned after all.

Only a month after patrons mourned its closing, after neighbors

celebrated the prospect of quieter condos in its place and others

protested the loss of the local landmark, it appears the Cannery will

survive.

Newport resident Jack Croul, co-chairman of Santa Ana-based Behr Process

Corporation, is purchasing the property and intends to reopen the Cannery

as a restaurant. Croul wanted to save the landmark building and continue

to allow the public’s access to it, said the restaurant’s longtime owner,

Bill Hamilton.

Croul could not be reached for comment.

“It’s pretty far along,” said Hamilton, adding that the new restaurant

will likely continue to serve mainly seafood. “I can’t foresee any reason

why it wouldn’t happen.”

Last month’s closure of the Cannery sparked fierce debate in the

community. While neighbors were relieved that quieter condos would

replace the restaurant, other community members were upset about losing

one of the last remaining pieces of Newport’s maritime past.

Hamilton said he was thrilled when he first heard the news and plans to

eat at the establishment as soon as it opens.

“I’ve known this place since I was a kid. It’s hard to believe that

Newport would lose such an important landmark,” Hamilton said. “It’s

going to save a lot of controversy and hard feelings.”

Other community members were also elated when they heard the Cannery

would remain standing.

“I think that’s great!” said Judy Rosener, a former coastal commissioner

who was vocal in opposing the loss of the local landmark. She believes

Newport has already torn down enough landmarks and was concerned the city

was losing the charm that distinguished it from other communities.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said mayor Dennis O’Neil. “It’s almost a

historical landmark in the city. I was very upset when I learned it would

close and be demolished.”