Ciao a tutti!

First of all, let me say that opening Ciro was an absolute blast! It has been a journey spanning five years—from the initial project planning all the way through to the grand opening and up to the present day. It felt just like being on a roller coaster—full of ups and downs, twists and turns—but ultimately, if you were to ask me if I’d do it all over again, I would say yes without hesitation.

I loved serving you, but above all, I enjoyed showing you just how vast and vibrant Italian cuisine truly is—so much so that it has been officially proclaimed an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO—and how it is something one simply cannot help but fall in love with.

Now, however—after 14 years in America—I must return home, and the reason is very simple: my beloved family needs me, and I need them. For this reason, I am currently seeking a buyer to take over the "Ciro" concept, in the hope that my successor will carry on the legacy and ensure that this place doesn't simply become just another run-of-the-mill Italian restaurant.

At the same time, I realize that time is running short to find a buyer; therefore, there is a distinct possibility that—despite all the sacrifices I’ve made—I may, unfortunately, have to close the restaurant. In any case, I will still remain indebted to the bank; when I opened, I took out an SBA loan, 60% of which has already been repaid in the span of just two years—all thanks to you, my supporters!

Now, I am here to ask for your help once again, and I know you won't let me down. Please donate whatever you feel is right—and don't do it solely with the thought that I need to pay off a debt, but do it, above all, to show that you believed in me throughout all these years, and that serving you was truly worth it. I personally believed in the American Dream for 14 years—a dream that, lately, seems to have—regrettably—faded away somewhat. And I won't hide the fact that this, too, played a role in my decision to return to Italy.

These have been truly wonderful years, and I hope you will remember me, despite everything. This is a "see you later," not a "goodbye."

Thank you all very much.

-Ciro