Email sent to supporters January 9, 2015

Happy New Year, Fellow Friends of Tony Tuttos (please forward to any additional people you think should be in the loop)!

Thank you for your ideas and support so far.  This really is a community effort.

A few of us have explored a number of new venue options for Tony over the last few months.  For a spectrum of reasons, nothing has been a fit.  No one is giving up though -- particularly Tony who has a positive attitude and a truly enthusiastic faith that the best is yet to come!

I met with him yesterday; here are the takeaways:

General Status Update

• He is still very much focused on a move to (1) the single restaurant spot in the new development, (2) an alternative commercial space in Mill Valley, (3) a shared commercial restaurant space in Mill Valley, or (4) somewhere outside of Mill Valley altogether (the least desired/likely).
• Each of these will require some significant funding - loan/investment/donations/TBD.
• Time is of the essence.  His lease is up 7/1/15.

What We Can Do To Help

• Write to the City of Mill Valley with your support for Tony Tutto; support having him stay in his current location, as the single restaurant tenant of the new development.  As Tony is working to maintain good relations with the developer throughout this process, it is very important that we are speaking as individual members of the community with an interest in saving this business, not as a representative/agent of his (which we are not).  ***Emails/letters should go to Kari Svanstrom, Senior Planner, City of Mill Valley, CA, 94941; email ksvanstrom@city ofmillvalley.org***
• Think about how we could raise substantial funds to support his build out/relocation/both.  No matter which way this goes, Tony will need some investment/other help to make the move and launch again in a new location.  This could happen in the form of a business loan, a crowdfunded effort of donations, or a crowdfunded financing, somewhat like what Beerworks was able to do via a micro-investor model.  I really need help here in brainstorming, research, and execution.
• Keep your eye out for potential new venues.  Tony found his current spot on craigslist ~7 years ago.  Anything is possible!  Ideally, his next home will have outdoor seating, parking, and relative ease for to-go pick-up.  And the price has to be manageable.  Note that he is open to potentially sharing a space if schedules and other details permit.

I'll be capturing info as it comes available, plus these emails, on this blog.  Please send me anything you want posted!  http://supportingtonytutto.blogspot.com/
-The Maks

Email sent to potential supporters on October 12, 2014

Hi Mill Valley Friends & Friends of Mill Valley (there are 60 of you on the bcc line :)

As some of you know, our beloved Tony Tutto Pizza is in its last several months at its current East Blithedale location.  Tony is looking for a new, local place to rent, a bit fearful that this might not be possible given the small (albeit loyal and steady) nature of his business and high Mill Valley rents.  It is a sad but real possibility that he'll be closed for good by this time next year.

We'd love to help him get settled in a new, local spot -- ideally well before his current lease is up in June 2015.  This could mean anything from helping him find the right space and lease, working with him to take investment from a few locals motivated to see his business succeed and thrive -- or donations via a Kickstarter/other method to help him out with the costly transition and some future rent.

If you share our adoration for him, his pizzas, and this special, local business that employs local kids (and keeps many more happily fed!), please reply and we'll include you in future thinking/brainstorming!

With thanks,

-The Maks

Tony Tutto Pizza Website: http://tonytuttopizza.com/
Tony Tutto Yelp Profile: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tony-tutto-pizza-mill-valley