SLO County News BlogGolf, Wine, Real Estate, Business & Travel NewsSLO's Upper Crust Biscotti SoldThursday, May 12, 2005SLO Pages just last week posted information about San Luis Obispo's Upper Crust Trattoria and their biscotti business started by Terez Tyni 13 years ago. Today we learned in an article in the Tribune that Upper Crust Biscotti has been sold to a local couple for an undisclosed price.New local owners Betsy Albanese and Molly Thurmond took over operations at the High Street bakery this week. Thurmond, a contract attorney, and Albanese, whose career spans 25 years in the catering industry, bring a good blend of business and creativity to the company, Tyni said. "I have taken this business as far as I can take it, and I'm excited to find someone who can take it farther," she said. "I looked for a buyer who really wanted to grow Upper Crust." The only immediate change in store by the new owners is a reduction in wholesale prices, Albanese said. That step should make the company's plain, white and dark chocolate dipped biscotti, Itti-Bittie Cookies and wine-compatible Crustini more affordable to retail buyers, she said. The company's crunchy treats are sold nationwide through Marshall's, T.J. Maxx, wine.com and Upper Crust's Web site, www.uppercrustbiscotti.com. Eventually, the new partners plan to broaden their network of wholesale distributors, including branching into the Asian market, Albanese said, where coffee and tea sales are "skyrocketing." "We think there is a huge market for Terez's biscotti worldwide," she said, "For airlines, corporate favors, and big hotel chains with turn-down service." Tyni initially baked her biscotti in the ovens of the Upper Crust Pizza restaurant she and her husband, Ron, used to own on Foothill Boulevard. As distribution expanded nationwide, Tyni moved the biscotti operation to its current 4,500-square-foot facility. The biscotti sale does not affect ownership of the Upper Crust Trattoria restaurant on Los Osos Valley Road that continues to be run by Ron Tyni. You can make reservations at this popular restaurant - a Coastal Concierge pick - at www.sloconcierge.com. Meanwhile, Terez Tyni plans to concentrate on one of her first loves -- painting water colors and pastels. Several samples hang on the walls of the couple's restaurant. She also has become the first consultant in the area for the CAbi women's clothing line. From article at: Upper Crust gets new owners The Tribune, Leslie E. Stevens To see more of The Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.sanluisobispo.com. (c) 2005, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. Read More
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