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Update: The Cambridge Chronicle hopped right on it and, while they couldn't reach the owner, things aren't looking so good for the burnt caramel: "Toscanini’s Ice Cream, a mainstay for cool treats in Central Square since 1981, may not ever open again, and its owner, Gus Rancatore, owes the state’s Department of Revenue more than $167,000 in back taxes." (Thanks, Ron!)
Another Update: The Web Outside is already running a campaign to save--or at least encourage--Toscanini's.
The Updates Can't Stop Because We Need Burnt Caramel: Boston Chowder (with Boston Daily) did get in touch with Rancatore, who says he's working on fixing things "possibly within days."
The beloved Toscanini's, home of some of the finest ice cream that can be had in this area, was shut down this morning for not paying taxes.
Joanne McNeil tipped us off to the news and sent a picture. Bostonist headed down there to check out the scene. Aside from the word "SEIZED" in huge typeface, the sign read: "Seized for nonpayment of taxes and is now in possession of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." The orange sign was dated today.
Passers-by expressed shock and slowed down because they couldn't believe the sign. One man refused to believe it.
Did you work there? Do you know anything about it? Feel free to post tips on the contribute board or send them to us (see "Staff" for addresses).
Image by Joanne McNeil.
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That is very sad.
Very sad! For all of you that want to show your support for tosci's, go here and text message the Save Tosci's board!
He owes the state $167,000 in unpaid taxes, mostly meals taxes dating back to 2000. Here's the Cambridge Chronicle article.
This comes as a total surprise. I wonder what is going on.
Um, what's going on it they didn't pay their taxes.
This isn't the first time the place has been seized, and if he manages to beg for enough money, it won't be the last. Honestly, as sad as I'll be to see a place I've loved for so long go, there's but one person to blame for this. I'm sorry, but not paying your taxes for 8 years isn't very smart. I'm sure that he'll find some way to beg borrow or steal for the money and fool the state into thinking he'll pay them this time like he has the other times the store has been seized. Somehow I'm sure in the end he'll stop paying them, and they'll wait a few more years to seize the store again, and he'll make another website begging for money, and we'll all forget that the real problem is that he keeps a box full of unopened letters and notices from the IRS on a shelf collecting dust...
Especially to madscooper..you do not realize how difficult running a small business is. Gus is one of the most altruistic individuals I have ever met in my life and any hostility toward him at this time is uncalled for. The government makes it next to impossible to successfully run a 'small-local-creative business' This month Gus will be preparing 941's, 940's property tax, State income tax returen, Federal income tax returns, State unemployment returens, W-2's, W-3's, and 1099's all while making the best ice cream in the country and keeping you all employed and caring for his father. Gus will work it out because he has tenacity- thank you Gus for everything you have done for my company, and may I survive another year in a tumultuous economic environment.
A response to Amy Simmons - Gus Rancatore is no different from tens of thousands of other employers who are also running small businesses and paying their taxes. They all have to prepare 941, 940s, state, Fed, unemployment returns, etc. and continue to run their businesses, and they do it - AND pay their taxes!
He took the meal taxes from his customers for years, and didn't pay them to the government, as required by law. For the 2nd time he did this.
As a customer, I'd rather give my money to any other ice cream store than to his, knowing he'll just do this again.
Toscanini supporters can buy mugs, t shirts, tiles, journals, cards and more with images made from the ice cream ingredients. Proceeds are 50% of retail and will go entirely to help out Toscanini's Ice Cream in a time of need.
This is the link at cafepress:
http://www.cafepress.com/jmotzkin
pass it on
Toscanini supporters can buy mugs, t shirts, tiles, journals, cards and more with images made from the ice cream ingredients. Proceeds are 50% of retail and will go entirely to help out Toscanini's Ice Cream in a time of need.
This is the link at cafepress:
http://www.cafepress.com/jmotzkin
pass it on...
L Whitt:
You're right - except here's one difference between Gus and other small business owners. He's got a product for which people will inexplicably pay any price. I have no pity for this guy, I can't believe people donated money to re-open this place.
I'm sure he'll be offering a discount for his more altruistic customers - har har.
Used to like this place a lot, but just got kicked out (told my friend and I were "No longer welcome there") by the manager because of some weird misunderstanding. She picked up a lost cell phone in the bathroom a couple of months ago so she could return it to the owner, thinking it was safer than just leaving it at the counter. The owner called and we asked what he wanted us to do with the phone, bring it to him by car or leave it at Toscanini's. He said to leave there, which is just what we did. My friend Yasmine has been homeless, and I admit, is sometimes a little too desperate for money, so I just asked if the guy who lost the phone if he could leave a certificate for a free coffee for Yasmine.
As I said, we left the phone at the counter at Toscanini's right after we found it, and it was picked up a little later. Now, suddenly, weeks later, the manager in the store told me my friend and I were no longer welcome there. The only other "offenses" I can think of may be that my friend occasionally took more sugar packets than Gus Rancatore liked. Other than that, we've been regular customers, spending a lot of money there and being quiet and well-behaved. I liked the place as a good place to work on my laptop while connected to Wi_fi, and to meet some interesting people.
What this really feels like to me is discrimination against the homeless, i.e., my friend Yasmine. She is never loud or rude to anyone, but I suppose she dresses a little oddly and she's undernourished so she walks very slowly.
Au Bon Pain tried to kick out all the homeless years ago, I think. I'm not sure, but I think there were some major lawsuits about it.
With this kind of rudeness from Toscanini's, I think the place is a waste of space. Right now, I'd like the state to shut it down for Mr. Rancatore's ripping off the taxpayers to the tune of hundreds of thousands.