Profile: Tom Tunney, Restaurateur

Tom Tunney, Owner of Ann Sather Restaurants
Part Restaurateur, Part Community Activist, Part Philanthropist

As a small business owner, Tom Tunney, owner of Ann Sather restaurants in Chicago, feels lucky to have the freedom to contribute to charity through his

Twenty years ago the Chicago native bought the Ann Sather, a landmark bakery known since 1945 for its Swedish baked goods and gooey cinnamon buns. He rejuvenated and expanded the tired bakery by adding restaurants that serve home-style food in a diner atmosphere. He now owns five bustling locations. Tunney describes the eatery's socially diverse clientele: "All types of people come to Ann Sather. It's a comfortable place to be, no matter who you are or what your lifestyle."

An early AIDS activist, Tunney began donating food from his restaurant to Open Hand Chicago in the mid-80s. In fact, for two years, Ann Sather was the only restaurant in Chicago to support this outreach program dedicated to feeding people living with AIDS. Each Thursday night Tunney send meals to the Illinois Masonic Hospital AIDS ward in Chicago.

The day-to-day activities on the second floor of one Ann Sather restaurant are yet another example of Tunney's corporate generosity. A nonprofit organization called the Senior Wellness Center, which provides exercise and immunization programs, wellness education, and alternative medicine to local senior citizens, occupies the 500-square-foot space above Tunney's largest downtown location. In addition to free rent, Tunney advises the Center on business matters and helps to raise money.

Tunney stepped in at a critical time for the Senior Wellness Center in 1991, when the hospital sponsoring the Center decided to consolidate its medical programs. Tunney, a founding board member of the Wellness Center, donated the second floor of his restaurant so that the organization could continue to serve the senior community.

— Kelly Patton