where I've been.

Hi gang. Just wanted to pop in and give you a little insight as to why I haven't been around. I know you guys worry.

After 5 weeks of renovations, I opened my own pizzeria. It's another branch of my family's Umberto's. We officially opened on July 9th. Since then I have been working at least 14 hours a day, 7 days a week. I'm exhausted, but can't sleep well most nights. I miss my daughters terribly. And my wife is usually upset with me. I miss her too. Business is pretty slow, but gets a little better each day. We have been met with nothing but praise on our pizza/food thus far. A few locals were angry that the restaurant we took over sold, as they were there for 30 years. The original owners kept the sale pretty quiet. We have some shoes to fill in the community. Rumor has it that my dining room is fuller, during the peak hours of lunch and dinner, than the original store has been in the past 5 years. On top of everything, I think that I may have developed my first ulcer.

With all of this going on, I've still been able to have an occasional midnight cigar. Usually while doing office work for the store. As of right now I'm keeping myself in rotation for the newbie samplers, and staying on board for the puro pass. If anything changes with those, I'll let the corresponding authorities know. I'm trying to keep up with with what is going on here, usually just reading. Hope you all are doing well and if any of you come to Long Island, you are more then welcomed to come visit.

Glad to hear your restaurant is going well and it sucks to hear about the other stuff but hang in there!

Congratulations Rich!

As long as you have that cheese, I think the place will be unique and that will be the hook that will lead to success.

I know it is hard to think about work-life balance so soon after starting a new business, but your health is important, and your children only grow up once.

We'll miss you at QSH. Take care!

Congrats Rich, and good luck.

You should take some time and pull down those gaudy MR5 trophies...

Im glad to hear the new store is working out.

Ulcers are no fun.:smiley11:

The new store news is very cool........congrats!

The possible ulcer isn't!

Here's hoping it's not an ulcer and things at the store imrpove to the point you can actually have some downtime for relaxing and family!

Congrats on the new store. I hope your possible ulcer issue gets better. Take care.

Thanks guys. I didn't really have an ulcer, I was just stressed out. Things are getting better already. The new guys are starting to get it, which takes a lot of my plate. We still have a way to go, but we're getting there. I didn't point it the perks in my first post. Being my own boss is great. It's alot of work but very rewarding. In a few months it should be running smoother and I'll get to step back a little.

Good luck with your new business! I hope your wife treats you well despite her grievances. What is your things are going pretty good. I'm sure once things settle down you will have top-notch family time again. Good luck.

Very cool Rich, hope things calm down enough for you soon. It's 8am here now but I'm really hungry for some pizza now...

Congratsssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!

ok send some of that pizza over to the Red Sox make a new tradition!:smiley36: