Steinbeck House Restaurant is closing indefinitely
For years, the restored Queen Anne-style Victorian where John Steinbeck grew up has been a must stop for the author’s fans, who would go there for a tour and a lovely lunch served with a side of literary history.
The clientele was worldwide, with guests from more than 83 countries drawn there to explore
the Salinas Valley that inspired the Nobel- and Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
But business is down during the COVID-19 era, especially with the National Steinbeck Center closed to visitors.
So the Steinbeck House Restaurant will serve its last takeout meals Aug. 7 and then shut down indefinitely. Whether the building — which is listed on the Na- tional Register of Historic Places — will reopen as a restaurant remains to be seen. “Should fortunes improve, we may restore operations in the future. For now we say goodbye and thank our many friends and visitors from every country in the world for their patronage and support,” Nancy Montana announced on behalf of the nonprofit Valley Guild, which owns and runs the house/restaurant. at Built 132 in Central 1898, the Ave., house, became the birthplace in 1902 of the novelist. Steinbeck grew up in the house, leaving at age 19 for Stanford University. According to Valley Guild history, that group was formed in 1973 by eight women who wanted to find a way to showcase the valley’s produce. They worked to buy and renovate the house, then opened it as a nonprofit restaurant and gift shop in 1974.
It’s been a labor of love for many. Only the chef, dishwasher and book- keeper are paid positions.
“The doors remained open primarily because of volunteers who gave of their time and the generosity of the community,” Montana said.
When the pandemic hit in March, the restaurant stopped serving altogether. In June, takeout meals were offered in what Montana called “a valiant attempt to keep the doors open,” but not enough revenue has been generated. That led to the board of director’s decision on the shutdown.
On Aug. 7, the restaurant will serve its last First Friday Dinner, a monthly event that Montana said had become a tradition in the community.
“As the Valley Guild watches for the pandemic to subside, it will be exploring different options for the Steinbeck House,” she said.