Pawcatuck revitalization moving forward despite setback

Stonington — The revitalization of downtown Pawcatuck got three pieces of news over the past two weeks — two good and one bad.

Two weeks ago, the new Italian restaurant Hoof’s opened in the formerly vacant building at 59 W. Broad St. that previously housed the West Broad Street Bistro, Apizzo and, for many years before that, Shea’s Office Products.

Meanwhile, across the street at 2-4 Mechanic St., renovation and landscaping work by Best Energy owner Jim Lathrop on a long-dilapidated building is almost complete, and Stonington Realty owner Karen Hanson said she has plans to begin working there later this month.

The bad news came next door at the vacant Citizens Bank building at 46 W. Broad St., where a national dental firm has informed the town that it would not be moving forward with plans to open a dental clinic in the building.

Brian Ferraro, who co-owns and operates Hoof’s with several family members, including his brother and mother, said Wednesday the restaurant has been busy since it opened.

“We’ve been doing great. They’re loving the food so far,” he said. “We’re hoping everyone likes our food and has a good time.”

Ferraro said Hoof’s, which now is serving dinner from 4 p.m. to about 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, is employing about 25 people. In a month or so, he said the restaurant will begin serving lunch.

“We’re just trying to get dinner straight now,” he said.

The restaurant boasts an extensive menu of appetizers, such as fresh ricotta cheese drizzled with pesto, fig reduction and olive oil; fresh escarole with beans and grilled Italian sausage, and meatballs with homemade meat sauce and a scoop of fresh ricotta. Pastas include white truffle fettuccine, linguini with clams, and rigatoni with homemade meatballs or pork ribs.

Entrees include pork chop Calabrese with sauteed onions, vinegar peppers and fried potatoes, braised veal in marinara sauce with peas over spaghetti and traditional dishes such as veal and chicken Parmesan.

Hanson said Thursday that the sign went up for her realty business on the front of the building last week and she hopes it will be good advertising. It is located at the busy inter-