Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1403113
Answers by Laura Mori Riella and Michael Mori L a Toscana is a family owned and operated Ital- ian restaurant and bar located in San Rafael. It was established in 1985 by Paolo Mori, his wife Marilyn, and Michele Quilici. The owners all grew up in Lucca, Italy and immigrated to the United States in the late 1950s. They wanted to create an atmosphere that reminded them of home — a place where locals would gather to eat, meet friends and family and cele- brate with food and wine as every Italian family does. Chef and co-owner Giovanni Racanello joined La Toscana in 1986. Paolo and Marilyn's daughter, Laura Mori Riella, and youngest son Michael Mori, joined the La Toscana team in 1992 and 2002, respectively. Paolo loved to make people feel welcome and, just like all the Moris, enjoyed his food and wine and loved to see others do the same. This is the proud tradition that La Toscana carries on. Q What scared you the most during the height of the pandemic in regard to your business? A The most frightening thing, regarding our business, was the emptiness of the building. The life of it had been sucked out. We were also worried for all our employees, most of whom have been with us for many years. When we were first told to shut down on March 16, 2020, we thought we would just close the two weeks, but on the 18th we La Toscana serves up success despite challenges 'Amazing' customer support keeps La Toscana afloat during pandemic Italian restaurant changed whole business model overnight President and Publisher Rob Devincenzi | Advertising Manager Lori Pearce | Advertising Operations Manager Diane Sartarelli This Support Local Special Section is produced in its entirety by the Advertising Department of the Marin Independent Journal and did not involve the editing or reporting staff of the Marin IJ's newsroom. The Marin Independent Journal is located at 4000 Civic Center Drive, Suite 301 in San Rafael, California 94903 ON THE COVER | View of Golden Gate Bridge; an audience enjoying a performance by the Curtain Theatre; Laura Mori Riella greets customers at La Toscana; coastline of Marin County; Sophie Priolo and Lucas Priolo at Johann Paul Fine Jewelry in Greenbrae; Tiburon Wine Festival is coming in October; a pool at Rolling Hills Club; Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival is coming in September; San Vincenzo salad from La Toscana. – Photos by istock/Getty images, Russell Johnson, La Toscana, Paul Johann Fine Jewelry, Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Please note: Maskless festival photos on the cover were photographed pre-pandemic. Clockwise from left photo: Laura Mori Riella, Ryann Piry and Matthew Riella greet takeout customers during shelter in place; La Toscana had an outdoor patio adjacent to the building pre- pandemic, unlike many restaurants; Paolo and Marilyn's daughter, Laura Mori Riella (left), and youngest son Michael Mori (right), joined the La Toscana team in 1992 and 2002. – Photos courtesy of La Toscana 8 August 29, 2021 Support Local A Marketing Supplement of the Marin Independent Journal | marinij.com