Sam’s Anchor Cafe Raises $300k+ With Initial Bootleggers NFTs
NFT provides line privileges and exclusive access to historical data Tiburon restaurant
TIBURON, California, 20 September 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Sam’s Anchor Cafe – open since 1920 in San Francisco Bay – has completed a successful launch of its first NFT (non-fungible token) collection, raising more than $300,000 with a sold out limited edition Sam’s Bootleggers NFTs.
Sam’s Bootleggers NFTs, featuring artwork by San Francisco designer Anthony Laurino, were developed by ViciNFT. The 244-unit collection completely sold out through pre-sales, raising more than $300,000. The NFTs are caricature images of Sam Vella, a notorious bootlegger who founded Sam’s during Prohibition.
Open since 1920, Sam’s is located in Marin County on the San Francisco Bay in the quaint town of Tiburon, California. It has long been known for fresh seasonal seafood, a fun atmosphere and stunning views of Angel Island, Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline. The restaurant has a 1-2 hour wait on most weekends and busy weekdays, with the queue often stretching down Tiburon’s main street.
Inspired by the late Sam Vellaa notorious bootlegger who founded Sam’s during Prohibition, Bootleggers NFTs will allow patrons to skip the line and make reservations—a first in Marin County the restaurant’s 102-year history. Other benefits include gift cards, exclusive merchandise and access to special events. San Francisco-based NFT developer ViciNFT worked with Sam’s to produce 244 Bootleggers. Priced to $2000 piece, the collection was completely sold out through advance sales.
With artwork by San Francisco designer Anthony LaurinoThe NFTs are caricature images of Vella wearing Hawaiian shirts and other features that relate to Sam’s history.
“Sam’s is a 100-year-old restaurant,” the owner said Conor Flahertya Tiburon native who bought Sam’s in 2018. “We want it to be around for another 100 years. By investing in new technology and new ideas, we’re confident we can keep Sam’s sustainable for future generations.”
Flaherty, 35, oversaw an approx 2 million dollars renovation of Sam’s in 2019. The restaurant has a 1-2 hour wait on most weekends and busy weekdays, with the line often stretching across Tiburon’s main street Bootleggers will receive line-cutting privileges, the ability to call ahead for reservations, airdropped gift cards, access to custom merchandise, and a private “Bootlegger’s Lounge” overlooking Smuggler’s Cove. Special event access will include VIP entry to Sam’s annual DeckFest, a New Year’s Eve dinner and more.
Flaherty and ViciNFT plan to release a Sam’s NFT collection for kids next, so kids can draw their own unique version of Vella. ViciNFT will convert the drawings into NFTs, which will be redeemable for one free children’s meal per month.
“Plus,” Flaherty added, alluding to a long tradition for Sam: “The popcorn is always free.”
About Sam’s Anchor Cafe
Located in Marin County on San Francisco Bay in the charming city TiburonSam’s Anchor Cafe offers a fantastic view of Angel IslandAlcatraz and San Francisco skyline. Hovedgaten 27, Tiburon, CA 94920; (415) 435-4527; https://samscafe.com/
SOURCE Scurfield Group
