Pony Espresso to close

Gary and Karen Moss, owners of Pony Espresso Café and Bakery have decided to close the business by the end of this month. The Gardnerville Ranchos business has been listed for sale for more than one year.

"We are spread too thin, trying to manage three businesses from our home in Oregon," said Gary Moss. "It is very important to us that I find a way to travel less, so I can be home more with Karen and our three children."

This year, the Mosses face additional responsibilities in their commercial development company and the 540-acre ranch they help manage with Karen's mother.

"These changes have pushed us to make a tough decision," Gary Moss said.

In 2003, Grant Moss, their son, fell from the high dive onto the pool deck and was transported via helicopter to Washoe Medical center.

"We are so grateful for the prayers and loving support from our employees, customers and community who were by our side, as Grant fully recovered," Moss said.

The focus at Pony Espresso was to develop ties with the community. In the process, Pony Espresso has become a place of friendship, Gary Moss said.

"It's a great joy to start the day with our customers, everyday as they come in for their personal espresso drink. We are going to miss the daily visits with our customers," Gary Moss said.

The couple said they are very thankful for their employees and as a couple hope they provided a good opportunity for them. Gary Moss singled out Carol Bernard and Sherie Smith as deserving special recognition for their efforts to keep Pony Espresso open each day, as well as original crew member Don Summo.

Gary Moss said he will be in the area to oversee the final weeks of operation.

"We are looking for someone who wants to continue what we have started," said Gary Moss.

"A local proprietor could do what we could not 500 miles away. Adding additional menu items would take the shop to the next level. With so much on our plates, we could not successfully implement our full business plan, which included a great lunch menu and other food items."

Gary Moss explained that they hope to sell the inventory and equipment to an energetic person and lease the building to them so that a vital service is not lost in the Gardnerville Ranchos. Anyone interested in leasing the building at 795 Tillman Lane may contact Gary at Pony Espresso, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., 265-1667.