Touched by kindness, Vinny reopens Italian Kitchen — just in time for Christmas
Vinny Esposito was feeling despair in October.
His Italian Kitchen, a market that featured his handmade pizza and pasta dishes and the best of Italy “in the heart of Holmes Beach,” was in total disarray.
The equipment was underwater. The supplies and food stock were going into the trash. There was very little left of the market he loved.
He sank into despair. He didn’t think he could do it.
Then, from nowhere, a family from Ohio arrived to touch his heart and change his mind.
He would reopen after all.
In his words:
Karen and Ryan Crossley and their children, Hannah and Sam, from Ohio, have been visiting Anna Maria Island for many years and they came often to my restaurant.
Thy came in October and they were so upset and disappointed to find us closed by the hurricanes.
The store was damaged inside by over 2 feet of water and we lost 100% of equipment and food.
Virginia and I were cleaning the store and I was so DONE and upset with it all, realizing the damage and the loss — that I really was giving up. How could I reopen the store? All was lost.
Then the Crossleys called us to say goodbye on Nov. 4, the day they were leaving Anna Maria to go back home to Ohio.
They came by the store and the children gave me an envelope with $419 — the results of selling lemonade, coffee and donuts on the sidewalk where they stay and a letter saying, “We hope this will help to reopen the store when we come back to AMI.”
I WAS SO MOVED BY THEIR LOVE and the HOPE I saw in their eyes.
I was speechless with tears falling, hugging them and promising them that I WILL be here when they comeback.
I promised we will make pizza together.
We at Vinny’s Italian Kitchen want to say THANK YOU to Karen, Ryan, Hannah and Sam.
You inspired us and we love you.
Merry Christmas to you all.
— Chef Vinny