BikeDenver.org » Cyclists ciao down at Tony’s Market, our March Bicycle-Friendly Business of the Month!

Clif Bar and BikeDenver are pleased to announce Tonys Market, our Bicycle-Friendly Business of the Month! Tony’s got its start back in 1978 when the Rosacci family purchased a former 7-11 store on Dry Creek Road and turned it into their own old-fashioned butcher shop. According to Mick Rossaci, one of Tony’s sons, the business plan was simple: “Dad and Mom taught us to stock only the best, treat every customer like a good friend, and never sell anything we were not proud of.” The family business has since grown to include an additional three markets as well as catering company, and employs nearly 300 dedicated food professionals.

Last year, one of Tony’s Market regular customers, Closet Factory CEO Mark Lestikow, pitched an idea he’d been brewing for a couple of years to Tony’s H.R. director, Lynnea Louison (pictured at right with Tony’s Market Broadway Chef, Ben Davis). Mark thought one of his favorite bike-riding rituals—riding from one Tony’s Market to another, enjoying friendly welcomes and fine food at each stop—would make a fantastic charity ride. Louison thought so, too, and last October the Tony’s to Tony’s Ride became a reality. They reached the 55-rider cap within four days, and soon had to up the limit due to overwhelming response. According to Mark’s Closet Factory blog, “By the day the ride arrived, 70 riders had signed up…the ride was a huge success.”

The 2011 Tony’s to Tony’s Ride, taking place October 2^nd, will be even bigger than the first with a 150-rider cap. And, just as you’d expect from Tony’s, it’ll be even better, too. Participants will self-navigate the 71-mile loop, stop at all four Tony’s Market locations to snack on an assortment of culinary specialties, then enjoy an Italian luncheon at the finish. Current plans call for a $40 entry fee that will include SAG support by Colorado HeartCycle, mechanics from Bicycle Village, and a route map provided by Closet Factory. Commemorative jerseys will be available for purchase, and ride proceeds will go to purchase bicycles for kids in need to be distributed through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. Registration is expected to open mid-July, so be sure to check Tony’s website for more info, or email Lynnea directly: lynnea@tonysmarket.com. Way to go, Tony’s Market, for making bicycling in Denver better–and tastier–for all!

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BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) of the Month Awards help highlight organizations that are making standout contributions and offering great success stories from among BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) Program members. The BFB program, with more than 125 honorees to date, recognizes businesses, organizations and workplaces that are leading the way to make bicycling an easy and accepted form of transportation in Denver. Nominate a workplace as a Bicycle-Friendly Business here.

Tony’s Market provides premium fuel for your bicycling adventures, whether you like to whip up your favorite food selections at home or stop in and partake in the freshly made treats their culinary experts turn out all day long. www.tonysmarket.com

BikeDenver is Denver’s bicycle advocacy organization. BikeDenver promotes and encourages bicycling in Denver and works to make Denver a better place to ride your bike. Why? Because more bicycling has great benefits for you, and for Denver! www.bikedenver.org

Clif Bar & Company started on a bike ride. Founder Gary took a bite of another energy bar and thought he could make a better bar. Today, Clif Bar is a leading maker of all-natural and organic energy and nutrition foods and drinks. www.clifbar.com

Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month Awards: Since partnering in July of 2009 to launch the monthly awards program, Clif Bar and BikeDenver have recognized Watercourse Restaurant, Historic Denver’s Story Trek, Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, Jones Lang LaSalle, Human Powered Transit Authority, Denver Pavilions, the Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado, Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop, Little Man Ice Cream, Denver Water, Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), Sweet Action Ice Cream, MIGHTYkarma, Quiznos, REI Denver Flagship Store, Solera Green Living, Holland & Hart, Grand Hyatt Denver, The Bike Depot, Snooze a.m. eatery, and Tony’s Market.

More about BikeDenver:

See BikeDenver’s PSA’s and learn about the great reasons to ride in Denver: “Priceless”“Why I Ride”

You can help make a better place to ride a bike by becoming a BikeDenver member: Join BikeDenver!

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Read about previous Bicycle-Friendly Business of the Month honorees: