Gus Rancatore, owner of Toscanini's, which was seized by Massachusetts for nonpayment of taxes, is launching an effort to save the beloved ice-cream store, and he's taking his efforts to the media.

A website has been started to help raise money for Toscanini's. As we learned from the Cambridge Chronicle, Rancatore owes a considerable amount in unpaid taxes, and the company must provide a down payment before re-opening. If you want to contribute to the cause, here's the direct link:

http://savetosci.blogspot.com/

You can contribute via Pay Pal, and the site has already raised $6,606 as of yesterday. People love their Burnt Caramel and Cake Batter.

But not everyone is loving Gus Rancatore. Rancatore opened the comments on blogspot, and a few people are leaving nastygrams chiding Rancatore for not paying his taxes. Plenty of others have defended Rancatore since Toscanini's is an institution. Rancatore can take care of himself, but one blogger who posted anonymously suggested that, if Toscanini's re-opens, someone other than Rancatore should handle business matters.

Gus and Mimi Rancatore posted a statement offering some explanation about their debt: "Much of the total figure used by the Mass. DOR includes interest and penalties incurred during our confused attempt to expand the business between 2000 and 2005." The release added that they have set their fundraising goal at $25,000.

Screengrab of the current Toscanini's home page, featuring an image by alphabeedesign that you should see in its full size.