Pier Landmark Restaurant May Be Forced To Close In July
There an icon in Redondo Beach, a place that is a landmark and a signature spot, Old Tony’s on the pier.
It is what the Hollywood sign is to L.A., the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco, the Eiffel Tower to Paris.
And, if the Redondo Beach Pier is required to stay closed until July, this seafood restaurant with views of crashing waves below your feet and “crow’s nest” bar with its legendary Fire Chief cocktail, could be forced to close.
Owner Tony Trutan has pleaded with LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn to allow Old Tony’s to open immediately, in a letter and he shared on social media. This is the letter:
Good morning Supervisor Hahn,
My name is Tony Trutanich and I own Old Tonys or some call it Tonys on the Pier located on the Redondo Beach Pier. My Dad opened the restaurant in 1952 its older than Disneyland. Last year we were chosen as the #1 Beach Bar in America by Travel and Leisure magazine. Wont bore you with all the other awards we’ve accumulated over the years. Most importantly a majority of South Bay locals consider our place as an extension of their home with 3rd generation family members celebrating graduations , anniversaries etc. Love seeing a grandparent come in with their son or daughter and grandson or grand daughter and to know each one of them has celebrated their high school or 8th grade graduation with us is pretty incredible.
Our average employee has worked for us 19 years and yes we have 3rd generation staff working for us now.
When we hire someone which is rare we always say ” welcome to the family”
I could go on and on but the reason I am writing to you is because Old Tonys has survived , 2 major El Nino storms , a pier fire in 1988, and 2 killer recessions. Unfortunately we don’t think we will make it till July 1st. Its so unfair that all other restaurants, bike paths, farmers markets , retail businesses etc get to open up to the public while my restaurant which is considered a landmark must remain closed till July.
The Beach Cities mayors formulated a “all for one , one for all ” plan. So when Manhattan Beach and Hermosa said we are closing our piers down , which have ZERO businesses on them our Redondo Mayor Brand said then we will shut our pier down also.
The Redondo pier is a very very wide and open pier with a nice ocean breeze always providing fresh air.
A farmers market or bike path is 10 times as congested with people and very narrow. The Redondo Pier never gets slammed with people anyways except for Holiday weekends.
I know you are so busy so I will cut this email short.
I ask you to PLEASE watch this short video. At least the 2nd half of the video. I know you will understand once you watch the video. I’ve had an employee cancel his wedding, another sell his car to cover his rent , one waitress pulled her daughter out of college because she can’t survive financially otherwise.
A July 1st opening for us will be a total of 4 MONTHS being closed. Then after the 4 months because of the orders we will only be allowed to be 50% full. We won’t make it. We are a steak and seafood restaurant and the margins are tight.
Please please consider allowing Old Tonys to go by the same schedule as the rest of the City.
That would be the right thing to do.
I thank you in advance for hopefully reading this email.
The link to the video I made is below. The most important part of the video begins at 5 minutes :30 seconds. Those are my employees , my family members.
Btw, I know you are a Pedro local. My grandparents came from Croatia and settled in Pedro in 1910. My Dad was born in Pedro in 1922 and graduated Pedro High in 1940. Pedro is swarming with Trutanichs haha , I am certain we have some connections somewhere.
Thank you for fighting for small businesses its so appreciated.
Sincerely and a huge supporter
Tony Trutanich jr.
Old Tonys
Redondo Beach Pier.
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