The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
A taste of Sicily in Melilli’s sister city
Developerwooing coalfired pizza purveyor to historic Camp’s building By Cassandra Day
MIDDLETOWN — A Wallingford developer has purchased two of the city’s historic buildings on Main Street and will be renovating both facilities for use as restaurants and dwellings.
Dominick DeMartino purchased the circa 1860 R.W. Camp Co. department store at 412 Main St. The property has been vacant for about a year and a half.
The structure most recently housed a restaurant of the same name, and prior to that, Us Restaurant & Lounge, Titanium nightclub and Firehouse Steakhouse.
It soon will be occupied by Sicily Coal Fired Pizza, which will feature New Havenstyle pies, something sure to draw customers from the large contingent of Italian
residents who hail from Melilli, Middletown’s sister city.
“I’ve always wanted to be part of Main Street, because what is happening here is exciting. I’ve seen it over the last 25 to 30 years,” DeMartino said.
Camp’s is one of the largest buildings in Middletown, more than 7,000 square feet, according to Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh, who said the property is a “vital site.”
“You read all sorts of stories on how Middletown continues to move forward with a lot of projects, with more that are in the works over the next two months,” he said. “This is emblematic of that success.”
DeMartino, who called the building “charming,” plans a rustic interior and expects to revitalize the switchback staircase and its brass railings and columns, as well as refurbish the original oak flooring, bringing it back to its full luster.
He has two restaurateurs with decades of experience between them interested in the property, and expects to choose between them shortly. Both are Sicilian, he said.
The plan is for a family style pizza and pasta place, with a large craft beer selection, on the ground floor. Upstairs will feature a 45foot bar area and lounge with a piano. The downstairs will be devoted to a private dining room with seating for to 49 people.
Middletown Councilman Gerry Daley recalled shopping at Camp’s since he was a little boy. It was where his parents purchased his first suit.
“We talk a lot about potential development. People want to come to Middletown and make money. They want to come in and invest and have it be a win/win, with the city prospering from it and the community wellserved,” he said.
The developer also purchased Shlien’s Furniture Co. at 584 Main St., in the city’s North End. DeMartino envisions the main floor of that building, 4,000 square feet in size, will feature another restaurant, with 12 efficiency apartments occupying the structure’s top two floors.
He proposes switching the main entrance of the pizza place from the Main Street side to the rear, which faces the Melilli parking lot, where more than 300 spaces are available to customers.
DeMartino said he believes having the front entrance facing the downtown was a design flaw, and likely prevented former occupants from being as financially successful as they could have been.
Plans are to blast off the black paint on the rear facade, exposing the original red brickface, and put in place long, flowing red awnings, as well as storefront windows which will offer a view of the Connecticut River.
Plans are for an October opening.