North Beach's 91-year-old Italian eatery, Tommaso's, at 1042 Kearny Street, narrowly escaped eviction after owner Maureen 'Mo' Donegan secured funds to pay $40,800 in overdue rent as the neighborhood experiences broader instability.

On Kearny Street in North Beach, the immediate threat of eviction for Tommaso's, the 91-year-old Italian institution at 1042 Kearny Street, has been averted. Owner Maureen "Mo" Donegan confirmed that she successfully paid off $40,800 in overdue rent, stemming from a three-day notice to pay or quit issued on July 19, 2026. The deadline loomed on July 22, but a last-minute infusion of funds from two anonymous private donors allowed the restaurant to remain open.

Tommaso's, which Donegan took over in 2025 from the Crotti family — the proprietors for 51 years and now the landlords — faced the challenge of four months of unpaid rent. Donegan had launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs, which had raised approximately $10,000 towards a $30,000 goal at the time of reporting. "I just want to keep moving forward, having rent paid and try to survive in San Francisco," Maureen Donegan told the San Francisco Chronicle, reflecting the constant pressure faced by legacy businesses in the city.

The restaurant's brush with closure comes as North Beach continues to navigate its own economic currents. The neighborhood has seen 5 eviction notices filed in the last 90 days. For example, three recent eviction notices were recorded for the 1100 block of Kearny Street on July 20, 2026. This broader instability is accompanied by 263 311 requests in North Beach in the last week, highlighting ongoing community concerns.

For now, the ovens at 1042 Kearny Street will continue to fire. Tommaso's, known for its wood-fired pizzas and long history, remains a fixture on the block. The immediate crisis is past, but the financial realities that led to the notice continue to present a challenge for Donegan and other small business owners in the area.