Cannery Row makes its mark on Car Week

A popular Monterey tourist destination got its first real taste of Car Week Friday night.

Cannery Row was shut down from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the first Exotics on Cannery Row event. Businesses prepared for the big rush of car enthusiast by adding staff and stocking inventory.

“They tend to stay out on Pebble Beach or wherever the events are but now with them coming down to the row and it being closed, it’s definitely drawing more foot traffic,” said restaurant manager Lance Koehler.

Cannery Row is a big draw for tourists but when Car Week rolls into town many business owners said people tend to disappear into places like Carmel and Pebble Beach – but not anymore.

Cannery Row has officially made its mark on Car Week. Exotics on Cannery Row featured more than 180 of the worlds most hyped-up and customized rides.

“It’s really our opportunity to showcase Cannery Row for the many visitors who come for car week,” Diane Mandeville with the Cannery Row Company.

And unlike other events Exotics on Cannery Row is free.

“The Pebble Beach shows and stuff like that people have to pay some good money to go out and see that. So this is something a little bit more family oriented,” said Koehler.

Business said it’s too early to tell just how profitable the event really was. But last year Car Week generated almost $5 million in tax money for the entire area. Now Cannery Row will see a big piece of that and all the people dining and shopping Friday was a good sign.