Warrensburg Chamber honors John Franchini and Tommy Guns Pizzeria

WARRENSBURG | State government landscape designer and Warrensburg Planning Board member John Franchini has been awarded Warrensburg's Citizen of the Year, and Tommy Guns Pizzeria has been named the town's Business of the Year. The awards are sponsored by the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce. Both will be honored at a celebratory buffet dinner set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 12 at Bandstand Brew Works, 3922 Main St. in Warrensburg. Franchini has been an active member of the Warrensburg Planning Board, helping guide decisions on dozens of developments in town since he was appointed in 2012. However, his work to enhance Warrensburg started far earlier, soon after he was hired as a landscape/municipal designer for the state Department of Transportation in 1992. One of Franchini's first projects, in the early 1990s, was redesigning the streetscape of the hamlet of Warrensburg. The project included roadway and sidewalk reconstruction, installation of stormwater infrastructure, curbing, and accompanying landscaping. It was the most extensive construction project on the state Route 9 corridor in modern history. Among Franchini's responsibilities in his 33-year tenure at DOT has been guiding the development of bicycle routes and pedestrian pathways, and their coordination with roadways, including establishing crosswalks and bike lanes in villages and hamlets. Recently, he facilitated a state D.O.T. decision to establish "no mowing' areas adjacent to I-87 Northway Exit 23 access ramps on either side of Diamond Point Road. These areas are to be seeded with wildflowers, which will provide colorful natural views seasonally, as well as reduce maintenance costs, eliminate pollution from repeated mowing, and boost area pollinators. Most prominently, Franchini has designed and maintained landscapes throughout Warrensburg — at the town hall, the local elementary school, St. Cecilia's Church, Marcus Bruce Park, Farmers' Market Park, and the Water Street and Echo Lake parks, as well as along Main Street. FRANCHINI'S VOLUNTEER WORK LAUDED Former town board member Linda Marcella commented on Franchini's many long hours of volunteer work on town gardens: "I have seen him working weekends and evenings, even after dark, planting flowers, trimming shrubs, or doing whatever was necessary to make our town beautiful," she said. A prominent community member said in a nomination letter for Franchini that she and her partner had lived in seven states over the last 70 years, and they had "not met a more community-oriented and dedicated person than John." Noting his "civic leadership," she added that Franchini volunteered to drive an individual to an Albany hospital for surgery. "John is compassionate and giving when it comes to friends and neighbors — helping, advising, and lifting spirits." Past Warrensburgh-Thurman Historical Society President Paul Gilchrist noted that Franchini has also been an active member of the organization. He praised Franchini's "longstanding community involvement, significant impact, and exemplary leadership and citizenship." Local financial advisor John Gable praised Franchini for his "can-do" attitude and how he serves as an "incredible resource" for the town through his "willingness to work, contribute, support, and clean up" public spaces. Offering his thoughts about receiving the Citizen of the Year award, Francini said, "I am very surprised and feel quite honored to be recognized." TOMMY GUNS PIZZERIA AWARDED 'BUSINESS OF THE YEAR' Possessing a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Warrensburg High School 2003 graduate Anthony Fuller established Tommy Guns Pizzeria in late 2018, and it has since grown its patronage, services, and reputation exponentially. Outgrowing its initial location, in September 2020 Tommy Guns moved next door to 3745 Main St. in a building that Fuller purchased and he and Billy Oehler of Two Twins Construction renovated. Within eight months, they constructed a dining room and a cozy tavern, and this addition opened May 1, 2021. One popular feature of the restaurant is its front-porch dining area, complete with heating towers and an outdoor fire pit with lounge chairs and a large couch. TOMMY GUNS' COMMUNITY OUTREACH Fuller, through his enterprise, has often sponsored fundraisers for families facing difficult circumstances, as well as donating to charities and sponsoring sports teams. Some of his fundraisers have yielded many thousands of dollars. During the COVID lockdown, he gave away free lunches to local schoolchildren, many of whom had been depending on school lunches for adequate nutrition. Fuller said that years ago, when he endured setbacks in life, people reached out to him, and he now seeks to give back to the community. "When there's a family in need, we help them," he said. In April 2024 on the day of the solar eclipse, Fuller's concern for people and his entrepreneurial spirit were in high gear as he and his employees served freshly-baked pizza to families from downstate — in their cars — who had watched the eclipse all over the Adirondacks and were stuck in a two-mile traffic backup in Warrensburg as they headed home after dark. This feat of Tommy Guns' employees was reported in national publications. Also, during heavy snowstorms and when there's a power outage, Tommy Guns employees redouble their efforts to make sure they have food ready for area residents, Fuller said. "During storms, I personally deliver pizzas to families that we know have lost their power," he said. In addition to hand-tossed pizza, Tommy Guns serves up flatbread sandwiches, salads, chicken wings, and a wide variety of appetizers. The quality of Tommy Guns pizzas and the extensive menu have been key to their success. Tommy Guns' catering services offer a wide variety of Italian entrees and side dishes, prepared from fresh ingredients on-site. Their pizza dough, fresh-baked rolls and meatballs are made from scratch. PUBLIC PRAISE FOR PIZZERIA Online reviews have praised the quality and quantity of the food as well as the friendly, attentive service. A customer from Latham said her family was served fast and enjoyed "excellent" food: "The service was great — everyone works as a team and they were very attentive," she said. "The food was absolutely amazing! Such great flavor — and cooked perfectly." A man from Vero Beach, Fla., also praised Tommy Guns' food and service. "What a find! Great little speakeasy in the back... really great pizza... artisan slices that are quite the departure from the norm," he wrote. "The best meatball 'parm' sub ever! Another reviewer praised a meal's quality and hefty portion: "Holy moly, did we ever get blown away!' Fuller said work is underway to establish a second Tommy Guns location in Chestertown, in the Main Street building that once hosted the Odd Duck Restaurant. He said he will soon be employing a total of 40 people. Asked about the Chamber's Business of the Year award, he said his chef and longtime associate, Tom Mastrodomenico and Tommy Guns' 25 other employees deserve the credit for the enterprise's success. "It's all due to our staff's work," he said, saying he appreciated the honor, particularly because his grandmother Ruth Fruda was named Citizen of the Year in 2014. "We've got talented people who care about others," he said. "We grind seven days per week, and we're like one big family."

Signup for our newsletter

Warrensburg Chamber honors John Franchini and Tommy Guns Pizzeria

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS