A transformation for Tony's

SANDUSKY — About a decade ago — in a desolate, dismal Midwest downtown district — they began a venture to establish a successful restaurant with East Coast vibes. At its onset, this task seemed taller than the actual Statue of Liberty. Though with an empire state of mind, an unrelenting drive shown by a batch of believers resulted in not only a prosperous business for themselves but also set a foundation for other companies to call Sandusky home, which helped turn around a struggling waterfront city's image. And since then, their collective belief in the city — named in 2019 as the nation's best coastal small town, thanks to a burgeoning downtown — hasn't wavered. In fact, it's only grown. Just look at the major financial commitment to prove their point. Since opening in 2012, coinciding with just about when Sandusky's modern-day renaissance began, Tony's management team, led by owners Colette and Dr. Tony DeRiso, committed about $1.2 million to renovate a historic 165-year-old building on West Water Street into a new-age eatery. "My wife likes old buildings, and so we just started investing. We considered it a diamond in the rough," said Tony, an M.D. who practices cardiothoracic, or surgical treatment of hearts and lungs, with Firelands Regional Medical Center. He and his wife are originally from the New York metropolitan area. "That's when we decided to create Hot Dog Tony's, which is now just called Tony's." More recently, and amid a pandemic, the DeRisos pursued a complete top-to-bottom restoration of Tony's, totaling about $608,000. They wanted to better utilize this building's space. So, during a COVID-19-related shutdown, an opportunity for reinvention and reimagination presented itself. With help from their general contractor, John Losey of NorthCoast Construction and business manager John MacDonald, they: • Overhauled the entire main room area, which consists of a new bar, dining room, bathrooms and entryways • Developed a whole new menu with guidance by general manager Dugan Clair; Some signature dishes include a supreme hot dog, named the Clevelander after Cleveland Browns legend Josh Cribbs, topped with cheese, chili, onions, bacon and special mustard; eggplant caprese; and duck wings. • Installed new signage visible while on Water Street • Enhanced the back deck, where people can enjoy their meals or drinks from an elevated outdoor platform • Debuted a dugout bar, or patio, accessible from Shoreline Drive "Everyone loves it," Tony's assistant manager Shelly Thomas said. "Especially with the boaters and those coming from the Cleveland and Toledo areas, they are bringing their families to town, and with this dugout, we are their first stop. It's become a staple. There is just something about being right here, where you see the boats coming in and hear the sounds. It's constant action, and you can see it all here in this laid-back atmosphere." Her colleagues completely agree. "It's been great since our reopening here, and with the remodel, there has been a lot of excitement not only with us here but people coming in," bar manager Tony Hurtado. "It's created this great energy here." Count Jonathan Holody, the city's community development director, as a big fan of the upgrades. Earlier this year, he worked with the DeRisos on this business plan and recommended city commissioners approve a grant equaling a bit more than $33,000 to help offset their private investment. The elected officials ultimately did. "The city supported this most recent renovation project because it represented a substantial redevelopment and expansion by a local business," Holody said. "This is a great example of private investment following public investment. Tony's undertook this project to capitalize on the improvements to Jackson Street Pier and Shoreline Drive by transforming the back of their building into a new attraction." Tony DeRiso appreciates the city's support, which motivates him to continue pursuing his entrepreneurial spirit. "We want to continue investing right here in Sandusky," said Tony, who lives in Sandusky with Colette. "We like where we are, but we always want to be better."