More cancellations for Monterey Car Week “sobering news” for city
MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) When the world's hottest cars come to the Monterey Peninsula, so do the people. Thousands visit the area and bring business to locally owned shops and restaurants.
"The business that we've built is our entire livelihood. It's our career," said Cultura and Cult Taco Co-Owner, Sarah Kabat-Marcy.
Cultura in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Cult Taco in Monterey have been closed since March and are now facing new unknowns as car week events, even four months out, have cancelled.
"It was certainly shocking to hear the Concours was cancelled. We were immediately disappointed, disheartened and scared," said Kabat-Marcy.
Organizers of the 70th Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance said cancelling was not an easy decision.
The RM Sotheby's auction cancelled shortly after.
The City of Monterey responded to the cancellation, calling it "sobering news." Officials said it looks like the financial situation will not improve much as August is the city's busiest month.
"It has such an impact on so many people, not just the car people from around the world, but so many people in our local community that car week supports," said Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance chairman, Sandra Button.
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance organizers don't plan to reschedule the 2020 event until the following year.
Button said the decision to cancel now came out of respect to those traveling from overseas and the local business community who are now finding creative ways to stay afloat.
"Right now, we're just going to focus on the next day, the next week, put one foot in front of the other and stay as positive as possible," said Kabat-Marcy.
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance raises millions of dollars for local charities every year. Button said some judges and entrants have already contributed to that fund in place of this year's event.
