Image via The Painted Table

A Tower District staple is moving its operations to a new Fresno venue familiar to people who frequent business events.

After more than a decade in Tower, The Painted Table catering company is relocating its business to Tornino’s Banquets at 5080 N. Blackstone Ave. — a popular venue for events of all kinds, including business breakfasts and lunches hosted by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and other groups.

Tornino’s was founded in 1981 by friends Chester “Chet” Torcaso and Pete Vagnino with a vision to bring high-quality banquets to the Central Valley, according to a news release. Since the passing of the founders, second-generation owners Michael Torcaso (Chet’s son) and Catherine “Kitty” Thompson (Pete’s daughter) have grown Tornino’s into a Fresno icon that has hosted some of the most prominent events in the area.

“The Torcaso and Thompson families are passing the torch of family traditions along to us, and we could not be prouder,” according to a news release from The Painted Table.

The terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. A message left for Jeromie Hansen, chef and managing partner for The Painted Table, was not immediately returned Tuesday morning.

The Painted Table opened in 2007 at 1211 N. Wishon Ave. in the former site of the popular Daily Planet restaurant. The space is part of the Tower Theatre, which is currently under escrow to be purchased for upwards of $6 million by Adventure Church. The move has proven controversial for residents, business owners and patrons of the Tower District who feel a permanent church does not fit with the area known for its nightlife attractions.

The sale and permanent conversion to a church could also have negative implications for businesses in the area serving alcohol under a city-issued conditional use permit if they were to be sold or require a permit renewal.

The Painted Table called Tornino’s its “magnificent new location to host your intimate casual gathering for 50 guests, the wedding of your dreams for 500, and everything in between. For awards presentations and staged performances, [it] can even accommodate up to 800 guests in theatre‐style seating.”

The dining experience will take center stage at The Painted Table’s new home, as the chefs “pull out all the stops to feature edible delights sourced from our rich agricultural region with sophistication and flair.”

The Painted Tabled is the only catering company in the Central Valley to be inducted into the trade group Leading Caterers of America. It also won a Catie Award for Best signature Caterer from the International Catering Association.

For more information about holding an event at The Painted Table’s new venue, call (559) 443-7199.