Tutto Bene’s last day saturday

Unless local wine cafe and bar Tutto Bene finds a buyer by Saturday, that will be the 5-year-old restaurant’s last day.

Tutto Bene, 213 S. Rogers St., will close its doors because it will not renew its lease that expires Saturday, said Marci Widen, creative director and co-owner of the restaurant.

Widen said the restaurant wanted to expand its culinary capabilities and make improvements to its kitchen. She said that couldn’t be done without an investment or a working partner.

Widen said they have received offers for a buyer, but nothing has been signed. They are continuing to look.

“Those negotiations have not borne fruit,” Tutto Bene representatives said in a press release. “In consideration of our inability to improve on the product we provide, we have elected to close the cafe.”

The economy has also had an effect on the restaurant’s clientele, Widen said.
“Our customer base on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays have slowed up a bit,” she said. “We always did a lot of special events. Those have been pretty good, but you need your customer base, too.”

Tutto Bene is a Bloomington-based restaurant that has been open for five years, Widen said. Most of the menu items include appetizers and different wine options. Live music has also been a staple of the restaurant.

Once the restaurant closes, about 12 workers will have to look for new jobs, Widen said. Most of the workers are part-time and are IU students.

For IU professor of political science and leader of the Post Modern Jazz Quartet
Jeffrey Isaac, Tutto Bene is more than just a restaurant. Isaac said his band was the only band to play at the restaurant on a regular basis – twice a month for the last three years.

“First of all, I would say the Widens, the family that owns it, they are completely committed to supporting local artists and musicians,” Isaac said. “They try to cater to a clientele of people who love music and art.”

Isaac said the “‘Cheers’-like” atmosphere was one of the reasons why he loved playing and going there.

“I would like to underscore that Tutto Bene has been a huge culture vitality to Bloomington,” Isaac said, who will play there for the last time Wednesday. “I hope in some form it can continue because it’s a very important part of the community.”
Penny Thompson, co-owner of nearby Thompson’s State Beauty Supply, said the restaurant’s closing is “unfortunate.”

Thompson’s store is around the corner from the restaurant, and she said customers from Tutto Bene often overflow into her store’s parking spaces. She said the area had just started revitalizing, and she said she was surprised by the restaurant’s closing because it often appears busy.

Widen said the restaurant will celebrate its last week by having a “Customer Appreciation Week,” which will include food and wine specials and discounts on merchandise.

“I think our space is unique and eccentric spot,” Widen said. “We are lucky that we have had five years to be part of this community. That’s the most important thing, and it’s sad for us that we are not going to be in here anymore.”