Carmel “Businesses of Recognition”

In an ongoing effort to acknowledge resident-serving Carmel-by-the-Sea businesses and services, the Carmel Residents Association, from time to time, presents Certificates of Appreciation to those businesses and services.

To be considered, a concern must hold a business license issued by the City of Carmel. This excludes a city agency or non-profit organization.  We encourage our CRA members to support and patronize these long-time businesses and services in our village.

Plus a Lifetime Achievement Award - for Tony Salameh - Presented June 2022 

     

Wording on this Award  

Business Recognition - Lifetime Achievement Award
Anton M. Salameh   

Anton “Tony” Salameh was born on 1951 in the Philippines, raised in Jerusalem, then graduated from the Hotel School of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Tony began his near 50-year career in the restaurant and hospitality industry at the Atlas Hotels, Town & Country Hotel in San Diego, CA.  He initially joined the Carmel scene by as the Manager of Quail Lodge.  For 2 years beginning in 1975, Tony joined the Jordon International Hotels.  Then in 1977 he returned to Quail Lodge as the Food & Beverage Director.
Tony, in 1980, became the owner of Anton & Michel Restaurant in Carmel.  In 1994 he opened The Grill on Ocean Avenue which he sold in 2018.  In 1996, he opened restaurants Porta Bella & Merlot Bistro which he sold in 2015,
Tony has shared his expertise into this industry through membership in the Monterey County Hospitality Association, Monterey Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Carmel Chamber of Commerce, California Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association, and as an active prior member in international Chef organizations including Les Toques Blanches and Chaine des Rotisseurs.
Tony also served on many industry Boards including Monterey Peninsula Hotel & Restaurant Association, and Carmel Business Association (now the Carmel Chamber), and both at the local level and at the state level of the California Restaurant Association.
Tony is married to his wife of forty-two years, Maria, with their two sons, Anton and Stefan, daughters-in-law Mary-Katherine and Michelle and one grandson, Christian.
Therefore, for his decades of his service far and wide in the hospitality industry and especially in our Village of Carmel, with the respect of his peers and all of us as his long-term customers, Anton “Tony” Salameh is hereby the recipient of our highest honor, the Carmel Residents Association Business Recognition Lifetime Achievement Award on this date June 8, 2022.   

 

Our Newest Honored Recipient - May 2022!

CRA's President Fred Bologna recognized 5th Avenue Deli and Catering during our CRA Annual Meeting May 19th 2022.

"We are honored to recognize a local business that has been serving our community since 1991 with great food, products, and services – with an ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction. This business serves visitors and especially residents alike often in our frequent daily stops at the Carmel Post Office, with lines running outside their door, especially during lunch hours. We are recognizing the Elpidia & Carlos Herrera of the 5th Avenue Deli as new addition to our 28 previously recognized Carmel-by-the-Sea businesses.  We’ll all enjoy their wares, covering take out breakfast, lunch and dinner menu selections and tonight covering their catering of our finger foods this evening at the conclusion of our program. Thank you, Elpidia & Carlos Herrera, and the 5th Avenue Deli."     

     
now with their framed Certificate delivered

Both Elpidia and Carlos expressed their thanks along with their love of Carmel-by-the-Sea and their passion for serving residents and visitors alike.  Elpidia shared her story of working since the age of 18 for the two prior owners, to then purchasing business that is their home away from home. Please stop by, congratulate them and learn more about their offerings at www.5thavedeli.com.   

Businesses Recognized with CRA Appreciation Awards   (alphabetical)

5th Avenue Deli & Catering
Bruno’s Market
Carmel Bakery
Carmel Bay Company
Carmel Cleaners
Carmel Coffee House
Carmel Drug
Carmel Pine Cone (The)
Cate Electric Company
Cheese Shop (Kent Torrey)
Brian Congleton - Architect
Copies by the Sea
Cottage of Sweets
Cottage Restaurant
Dametra Café (Bashar & Faisal)
Eco Carmel
Expert Alterations by Tuyen
Gaston Georis (Rio Grill & others)
Kocek Jeweler
Le Bijou Fine Jewelry
Little Swiss Café
Lloyd’s Shoes
Nielsen’s Market
Nystrom Automotive Services
Patisserie Boissiere (Magdi Ibrahim)
Pilgrim’s Way Bookstore
Thinker Toys  
Whittakers of Carmel  

These sadly closed Carmel Businesses, were also previously recognized. 

Friar Tuck Restaurant
Knapp Hardware 
Pasta Palate
Perspectacles
St. Moritz Sweaters 
Surfrider Surfabout 

Our July 2020 Recognition - Kocek Jewelers

Recognition and Thanks to Kocek Jeweler For those of you not familiar with Kocek Jeweler - they are a California corporation listed with Dunn & Bradstreet and rated by the Jewelers Board of Trade that was established in March 1973 – in business for 45 years.  Mr. Kocek has earned nearly every credential possible as a Jewelry Appraiser. And Kirkor began his career in everything jewelry (design, create & manufacture) the young age of 12 in Istanbul, Turkey.  CRA’s President Fred Bologna was honored to present our Annual CRA Certificate of Appreciation to Kocek Jewelers – with masks of course.  Stop by to congratulate the Kocek Jeweler team located San Carlos Street between Ocean and 7th Avenue. Kirkor has many way-back Carmel stories to tell and share.  Congratulations!   www.kocekjeweler.com