In September, 1981 Toscanini’s was founded by Gus Rancatore and Kurt Jaenicke…

and Pearl Morrison, Janet Rosenblatt, Rich Johnston, Diane Depczenski, Pat Johnston, Miriam Stewart, Cornelia Rancatore, Eleanor Rancatore and Mimi Rancatore, all of whom worked for free and made contributions that enabled the undercapitalized ice cream store at 899 Main Street to survive its first year. Donna Muffoletto offered advice and emergency financing.

Eric Edelman, Greg Lum, Bruce Gelber and Nella Villacorte, Mark Halprin and Susan Lennox were our generous and optimistic investors.

We also received invaluable support from the members of Community Builders’ Cooperative who built our store, Lou and Steve Puopolo from E. Puopolo and Son, our plumbers, the White Mountain Ice Cream Machine Co. of Winchendon, Ma. and our accountants at Goodness and Tyler.

Mim Stewart graduated from unpaid “intern” to being our first paid employee. She escaped the ice cream industry to become an art historian.

Kurt is now a surgeon south of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Community Builders Cooperative continues to exist in Union Square, Somerville. They have built all our stores. Steve Puopolo continues as our plumber and his father continues to supervise everything.

Richard Johnston acquired other, bigger clients in his law practice.

Even an 800 square foot ice cream store requires a lot of help in order to get underway. Within the first year Joe Rancatore came from St. Louis to help stabilize things, as did Sally David, another baseball Cardinals fan. Joe eventually left to open Rancatore’s in Belmont and Lexington, Ma.