Scarpelli’s Restaurant closes; gas station coming

We have been bought out by A and Z Petroleum. To all that have gift receipts, they will be honored. Thank you for your patronage over the many years we were open. We ... will miss everyone.” Scarpelli’s Facebook page

TORRINGTON — Scarpelli’s Restaurant, a landmark eatery at 865 Migeon Ave., has closed its doors.

Residents posted messages on the T-Town Chatter Facebook group Tuesday, saying equipment was being moved out of the space in the morning and that the doors were locked.

The restaurant is owned by Daniel Palladino, who posted a message on the restaurant’s Facebook page at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“To all our loyal customers, It is with sincere sadness that today is Scarpelli’s last day open. We have been bought out by A and Z Petroleum. To all that have gift receipts, they will be honored. Thank you for your patronage over the many years we were open. We ... will miss everyone.”

City Planner Martin Connor confirmed that Palladino sold the Migeon

Avenue property. “Danny closed a sale today on an independent oil company that is going to perhaps build a gas station and convenience store,” Connor said.

Last year, a plan was announced to tear down the restaurant and build a Cumberland Farms gas station and convenience store. Cumberland Farms received Planning & Zoning Commission approval to demolish Scarpelli’s and build a 5,275-square-foot retail space and filling station. Scarpelli’s was supposed to relocate once the demolition was completed.

The plan fell through, according to a story published in the RepublicanAmerican in March 2019.

“Cumberland Farms did all the hard work last year — they got the permits,” Connor said. “Now someone can come in and do a site plan. All the approvals had previously been granted.”

Scarpelli’s was known for its breakfast, pizza, burgers and other homemade fare, fundraisers and summertime Sunday car cruises, when car clubs would come to the eatery to show off their cars and mingle with other collectors and spectators.