History
The building which is now known as “Cannery Lofts”, was built in 1909 for the Thompson & Norris Corrugated Cardboard Company, which flourished as a producer of cardboard boxes. The average annual wage then was approximately $1,300, or $25 per week! Thompson & Norris sold their factory in 1920 to the American Can Company.
A cyclone ripped through this area in September 1920, causing devastating damage, but the building survived. Starting in 1920, the building operated as a can plant until 1930 when the operation moved to Simcoe and the Niagara Falls plant became a producer of can making equipment, machinery and die parts. American Can’s employment was highest during World War II when it was the only precision grinding shop in the country. Up to 400 employees were then pressed into making gauges, steam engines, bomb throwers and parts for Lancaster and Mosquito aircraft. It celebrated 81 years in Niagara Falls in March 1988.
The building then became the Spaghetti Tree Restaurant and the Cannery Inn during 1991 and 1992.
Starting in 1993, it housed the International Buddhist Zen Temple until Merani Hotel Group acquired the property in 2019. Merani Hotel Group purchased the building with a vision of it’s full potential to become a short or long term stay opportunity in the area offering tourists an opportunity to explore the beauty that surrounds the Niagara Region.
Today, Merani Hotel Group is an independent hospitality management company based in Niagara Falls, Canada & USA with a mission to be the most hospitable collection of unique brands by creating exceptional experiences for their guests, meaningful opportunities for their team members, and a positive impact in their international communities. MHG has built a differentiated brand portfolio and maintains a superior quality of guest service at each of their properties including hotels, restaurants and even an arcade.
Cannery Lofts opened in July 2023 and is now a 41 unit independent hotel featuring loft style accommodations and includes full kitchens and industrial style interiors with 12 foot exposed ceilings.
The property is located on Lewis Avenue adjacent to three other Merani Hotel Group properties, the Sterling Inn & Spa, Days Inn & Suites and Greg Frewin Theatre.
