The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Eatery changes hands
Eli Cannon’s sold to couple who intend to continue its eclectic tradition
MIDDLETOWN — Eli Cannon’s Tap Room’s new co-owners, Rocco and Aubrey LaMonica, have big shoes to fill now that they’ve taken over the popular and eclectic downtown eatery and bar.
They’re more than ready for the challenge.
The news, posted Friday on Eli’s Facebook page, generated more than 430 likes and other reactions, dozens of shares and comments. It was met with approval all around.
Phil Ouellette ended with what has become his classic line: “It’s not about us, it’s about all of us.”
The newly married couple’s vision aligns with the mission of Suzanne Cannon and Ouellette over the past quarter-century. Cannon and Ouellette are former spouses, and the tap room is named after their son.
The La Monicas were trained by the best: Rocco LaMonica was most recently general manager, a role he eased into after beginning at the restaurant 11 years ago as a dishwasher.
“We’re like a living, beer-serving time capsule for the town,” Ouellette has said about the restaurant, at 695 Main St., which is a blast from the past courtesy of hundreds of old business signs, local memorabilia and historic objects.
Aubrey LaMonica came aboard four years ago as a bartender and server. Four months later, the two began dating and were married last fall.
Throughout his time at Eli Cannon’s, Rocco LaMonica said owning the tap room was always in the back of his mind.
“There was always an understanding, when they were ready, they would approach us first. It was funny, we were all sitting around the table (Tuesday) and they were telling us about when they created their LLC and it was 25 years ago on July 17,” he said.
It was a coincidence. Ouellette said he’ll be looking for employment and, at least for the next year, retain his and Cannon’s ownership of the building, which has apartments upstairs.
“Am I retiring? No. I need a job,” he quipped.
“It was time to pass the torch to the younger generation. We did an awesome job of starting the whole craft beer thing in Connecticut, but it moves so fast now, that’s a young man’s game now, social media-wise,” he said.
“There was always an understanding, when they were ready, they would approach us first.”
Rocco LaMonica
“Rocco’s on point with that, and if anybody was going to take it to the next level, it was going to be him and Aubrey and not me,” Ouellette said. “Now was the time.”
Now that the sale is complete, Ouellette said, it’s a turnkey operation.
“Unlike someone coming in and just buying it and trying to figure stuff out, he’s hitting the ground running, because he’s already been there,” he said.
Characteristically humble, Ouellette said the transfer of ownership will be a smooth one.
“At the end of the day, customers probably don’t care who owns it. They want their nachos, they want their beer, and staff wants to be able to cash their paychecks. All that will be the same — none of that will change,” he said.
“In a month from now, no one is going to care,” Ouellette added.
“It really is his selflessness and his loyalty to every staff member” that makes him unique, Aubrey LaMonica said. “You can always count on him to have your back no matter what situation you find yourself in.”
Ouellette is confident the couple will make Eli Cannon’s an even bigger endeavor.
“To me that would be the true mark of success. Not selling it, but in 15 more years, going back to visit, and they’re still doing awesome. That means we set it up on a solid foundation,” Ouellette said of his and Cannon’s efforts.
“I think they are going to enjoy being able to step away,” Rocco LaMonica said.
“If they remember the name Eli Cannon’s, that’s the success. If they remember the brand, then 25 years was worth it,” Ouellette added.
Ouellette and Cannon were a big presence in the daily operation over these past years, Rocco LaMonica said, “but they gave me a lot of flexibility to operate on my own, which taught me a bunch of things throughout that process.”
Tuesday was a remarkable day for the couple in many ways.
“It was nice when we unlocked the door and business continued as normal and people were comfortable,” Rocco LaMonica said.
Ouellette and Cannon told very few people about selling the business, so customers were surprised, and concerned some elements might change, Rocco LaMonica said.
“They are comfortable that we’re not. They know how the business operates and how we’re going to continue it going forward. It doesn’t make a ton of sense to us to change it all up on them,” he added.
Aubrey LaMonica works in the Bristol Hospital emergency room and will soon start school to become a physician assistant.
She knew her husband had this dream and immediately supported his decision.
“I always knew it was one of his goals, so I adapted, took it on as one of ours. If you asked me 10 years ago if I would own a restaurant, I would have said ‘no,’ ” she said.
“This is really a special little gem in the middle of Middletown,” Aubrey LaMonica added.
Eli’s enjoys a small community atmosphere among its patrons — and staff, many of whom have worked there for years. When the couple announced their intentions, everyone was on board.
“It speaks to that culture they created here,” Rocco LaMonica said.
Ouellette said he won’t be going far. He’ll still work with the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, where he was formerly chairman, as well as volunteer at Macdonough School, something he’s done for years.
“It was easier for me to sign away Eli’s, but it’s not as easy to sign away the community. That’s harder — not a business thing, more a personal vested interest,” Ouellette said.
As for changes, there will be one: Next week, Eli’s will begin opening at 11:30 a.m. for lunch six days a week. The restaurant, which used to open at 4 p.m., will still close Mondays
For information on the restaurant, visit facebook.com/elicannonsfans or elicannons.com or call 860-347-3547.