Owner of S.F. bar, pizzeria dead at 53
A.J. Sanchez, a wellliked Fisherman’s Wharf restaurateur who owned a pizzeria and a wine bar in the area, died on July 24. The cause was suicide, said his wife, Amanda Orloff. He was 53.
Their first restaurant, Carmel Pizza Co., open since 2012, was praised by critics for its woodfired pizza and porchetta sandwiches, which stood out among the typical touristy fare at the wharf, and they opened Altalena Vinoteca in 2018. Known as a vibrant, bighearted person who loved cycling and working with his hands, Sanchez could often be seen riding through the neighborhood wearing what Orloff called “the brightest and tightest cycling outfits.”
But Sanchez had struggled with depression that deepened
during the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting loss of business at his restaurants, his wife and other friends said. Orloff said she wanted to talk about his death publicly to honor his legacy and to help bring attention to the pressure smallbusiness owners are facing right now.
“It’s unfortunate now I see how much support there was around him, and he couldn’t see it,” Orloff said. “It saddens me.”
“It was not a good place to be in, no matter what we would say or when we would try to get him to get help,” said lifelong friend Phil Carroll of Monterey, who noted that Sanchez had been frustrated with his finances.
The coronavirus crisis has had a major impact on mental health everywhere. In May, experts warned that a “perfect storm” of social isolation, economic hardship and difficulty in accessing mental health treatment may increase suicide risk. In the Bay Area, local suicide prevention hotlines experienced a surge in calls after the shelterinplace order started.
The restaurant industry has been economically devastated by the crisis, with many businesses closing and facing other financial troubles.
In early July, Sanchez told a Chronicle reporter that business at Carmel Pizza Co. had gone down by 90% and said the financial downturn could eventually “put me in insolvency.” Orloff said revenue from their restaurant and nearby wine bar, Altalena Vinoteca, had dropped by more than $100,000. Though they had received a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan, it covered just 20% of their losses. A dispute with their landlords over the terms of their leases also was causing Sanchez anxiety, she said.
“There were a lot of factors. Everything became more escalated with coronavirus going on,” Orloff said.
The landlords, Jefferson Building Inc. and Three A Properties LLC, would not comment on the lease negotiations.
“We’re devastated and very saddened by this tragic incident,” said property manager John Cannizzaro.
Sanchez was inspired to open restaurants by his parents, Alex and Kathryn Sanchez, who owned and ran Bruno’s Market and Deli in Carmel, Orloff said. Born and raised in Monterey, Sanchez — whose initials A.J. stand for Alex Jason — worked there while attending Monterey High School. His brother, Fermin, now runs the market.
Carroll said Sanchez was always a particularly generous friend.
“He would take care of the people that were in his life. He would share whatever wealth he had,” he said. “If you’re going skiing, he’d pay for your lift ticket. He would buy dinner. He’d say, ‘Put your money away.’ ”
After a trip to Italy in 2008 when Sanchez cycled across the country, Sanchez and Orloff opened Carmel Pizza Co. as a mobile operation. In 2012, they set it up permanently on Jones Street with a large outdoor patio and pergola that Sanchez designed and built much of himself. The pizzas that came out of the woodfired oven were praised for their thin, blackened crusts, and the restaurant offered discounts to locals.
When they later opened Altalena Vinoteca on Beach Street, it included a deli Orloff said is a tribute to Bruno’s Market.
“I think he always wanted to live up to his parents’ legacy,” she said. “He was creative and entrepreneurial.”
Sanchez was remembered fondly by other business owners at Fisherman’s Wharf. Flowers, candles and photos were set up in tribute on tables in front of his restaurants. Orloff said she would announce plans for a memorial service on Facebook.
In addition to his wife and brother, Sanchez is survived by sisters Carol Sanchez and Naida Mercurio.