30-plus Conn. restaurants closed in 2023
Connecticut saw the departure of several notable restaurants this year, as owners noted continued struggles with rising costs and staffing shortages. Several decades-old businesses also closed as owners decided to retire.
Here's a roundup of some of the restaurants Connecticut lost in 2023. This list is in loose chronological order.
Penny’s Diner
In January, Penny's Diner closed its Black Rock Turnpike location in Fairfield after 40 years. A sign on the diner's door informed patrons of the closing.
Penny's founder Antonios Koskerides, who emigrated to the United States with his family in 1966, opened the first Penny's diner with his wife, Penelope, in 1968. Koskerides died in July of 2022 at the age of 86, according to his obituary. —
Leeanne Griffin
DinerLuxe
Hailed as “An American Classic” on the sign above its entrance, DinerLuxe closed its doors for good in January, surprising many local residents.
The diner on Danbury Road opened for business in 2014. Though New Milford Mayor Pete Bass confirmed the diner's closure, he said he was not told the reason for the closing.
The colorful exterior of the Dinerluxe diner was known for its throwback style, with large “fins,” similar to those on a 1950s car, that lit up at night. The building started out as a Friendly's before it morphed into a diner.
DinerLuxe opened as a family restaurant by Peter Serroukas and Peter Siasanas in June 2014, Bass said.
The Half Door
— Kaitlin Lyle
Wall Street Tavern
Brick-oven pizza restaurant, Wall Street Tavern, closed the doors of its Wall Street location in Norwalk in January.
The restaurant, which sits across the street from the Wall Street Theater music venue, was opened by Bryan Malcarney and John D'Agostino in 2020. It became known for its coal-fired pizzas named after songs by musicians like Phish, Grateful Dead and The Smiths. Other menu items included sandwiches, soups and salads. The restaurant would also host live music. — Andrew DaRosa
The Half Door, an Irish gastropub that's been a mainstay in Hartford's West End for more than 20 years, closed on Jan. 23, according to an emailed statement from a spokesperson. The Half Door's parent company, “was unable to reach an agreement with the landlord on how to move forward at the current location,” according to
the statement.
The Half Door has been a staple for Irish-influenced fare like shepherd's pie, Guinness lamb stew and "cobblestones" (shaved steak sliders), along with an international beer selection. The pub was an annual destination for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
— Leeanne Griffin
The Melting Pot
The Melting Pot, a national fondue restaurant chain, closed its only Connecticut location in Darien in March. But in June, Melting Pot executive Collin Benyo said Fairfield residents Dania Senatore and Jonathan Reeve signed a franchise agreement with the company to open a future restaurant in the New Haven area.
— Leeanne Griffin
Chowder Pot
Chowder Pot, a popular Hartford seafood restaurant, announced its closure after nearly 30 years in business. The restaurant shut its doors on March 25.
Chowder Pot, which opened in 1994, has been a staple in greater Hartford for lobster dinners, classic New England seafood dishes and prime rib. The building at 165 Brainard Road originally opened as Valle's Steak House in 1965, according to the post, and then briefly became the Hilltop Steak House in the early 1990s.
“After almost 60 years and millions of customers, the location is showing its age,” Chowder Pot wrote in the post. “Due to the age, size and constant amount of work needed to maintain this old building combined with a new business wanting to make this property their home we have decided the right decision is to sell at this time.” — Leeanne Griffin
Que Whiskey Kitchen
Que Whiskey Kitchen in Southington, a barbecue restaurant
and whiskey bar, closed in April after six years in business. The eatery, owned and operated by Hartford Restaurant Group, opened on Queen Street in 2017.
Hartford Restaurant Group also owns and operates the Wood-n-Tap brand, which has nine Connecticut locations. Phil Barnett, Hartford Restaurant Group's co-CEO and cofounder, said in a statement that the group intends to focus on Wood-n-Tap and “make the best use of staff and financial resources.” — Leeanne Griffin
Connecticut breweries and taprooms
Several breweries and taprooms closed in 2023, including Cliffside Brewing and Front Porch Brewing in Wallingford, Hog River Brewing in Hartford, DuVig in Branford and Firefly Hollow in Bristol. New brewery Dead Language Beer Project will take over Hog River's vacated taproom in the city's Parkville section.
Hog River is currently contract-brewing its beer at Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield, co-owner Joy Braddock said, and continues to distribute its beer to package stores, restaurants and bars.
— Andrew DaRosa, Leeanne Griffin
The Blue Oar
The owners of The Blue Oar in Haddam said their decision to close the seasonal, riverfront restaurant in April after 26 years was “not made lightly,” but rather driven by several factors — mostly a staffing shortage.
Jody Reilly, who has owned and operated the restaurant with her husband, Jim, since 1997, said that they've struggled in recent years to find enough kitchen staff, particularly line cooks and dishwashers. She said it's been particularly difficult since the COVID-19 pandemic, as more workers have
left the restaurant industry.
The first-come first-serve, BYOB spot was a favorite for warm-weather dining, at brightly painted picnic tables shaded by trees and decorated with string lights.
— Leeanne Griffin
Whey Station(ary)
The co-owner of Middletown's Whey Station(ary), which served gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches to comfort food lovers in the city's north end for four years, said the decision to close the doors of the downtown restaurant in May was a “bittersweet” one. Josh Moskites, who opened the restaurant at 544 Main St. in early 2019, said he now will have much more time to devote to Whey Station, the popular grilled-cheese-on-wheels operation.
Lan Chi
— Cassandra Day
Middletown's Lan Chi closed in June after more than a decade. Owner Chu Ngo said she realized she needed much more time to care for her mother, who had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, and three teenagers, something that would be impossible with her packed schedule. She also works full-time job as a cancer research scientist at a New Haven biotech company.
— Cassandra Day
O’Rourke’s Diner
Brian O'Rourke of Middletown's iconic O'Rourke's Diner said in June that he was “surrendering to the next great thing.”
O'Rourke's Irish breakfast and lunch spot in downtown Middletown became nationally famous after being featured on the “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” Food Network show. He said that he has been contemplating a possible closure for the past few years.
“COVID threw a real monkey wrench into it," he said. "It got to the point where my advisors said to me, ‘Brian, we don't want to be going to a funeral. Let's make this next chapter special.'”
— Cassandra Day
Salerno’s Apizza
After 75 years of business, Salerno's Apizza closed down its famous storefront on Barnum Avenue in Stratford in June.
“We are truly grateful for the support and loyalty you and your families have shown our pizzeria over the past 75 years,” said owner Carlo Salerno in a Facebook post. “Your kind words and continued patronage have meant the world to us, and we will cherish the memories we have made together since 1947.”
Salerno, who turned 80 this year, said he “had planned to close Salerno's by my 80th birthday." — Andrew DaRosa
Hoi An Pho and Grill, Norwalk
Norwalk Vietnamese restaurant, Hoi An Pho and Grill, closed its doors in June. The restaurant sold Vietnamese dishes like pho, grilled chicken and pork with rice and sandwiches.
Rocco’s Bakery
A staple for Italian pastries and breads in the Fair Haven section of New Haven, Rocco's Bakery on Ferry Street, closed for good in June after initially closing for oven repairs in the middle of the month.
“We would like to thank our loyal customers for supporting our small business for the past 40 years,” a statement on its Facebook page read. “We couldn't have reached this milestone without your continuous support. Along the way, Anna has built many close friendships and has enjoyed interacting with customers. She personally wants to thank all of you, saying that talking to customers always brightened up her day and made her job more enjoyable.”
Longtime customers often went looking for their Easter pies, anginettes, ciccioli bread, chocolate lemon pie or cannolis at the bakery. With Rocco's gone, that leaves Libby's Italian Pastry Shop on Wooster Street — which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary — and Lucibello's Italian Pastry Shop on Grand Avenue, which will turn 100 in 2028, as the only Italian pastry shops left in New Haven proper.
—
Jimmy’s Deli — Jailene Cuevas
Jimmy's Deli in Norwalk fired up its grill for the last time on June 30 after over 30 years in business as the owner heads into retirement. The family-run deli first opened at
234 East Ave. in 1989 and moved to 65 Van Zant St. in 1992.
The owner, Dimitrios “Jimmy” Iosifides, was always the “first one there in the morning,” said his daughter, Rhea Iosifides, and he was dedicated to his community. For the past 10 years, Rhea Iosifides and her brother ran the business with their father.
Because Jimmy's Deli has always been a family affair, Rhea Iosifides said her father's retirement marks a natural end to the business. “It was just time,” she said.
— Kalleen Rose Ozanic
MacDuff ’s Public House
After nearly 18 years in business, MacDuff 's Public House in Greenwich closed on June 24, owner Scott Sievwright announced on Facebook.
“Unfortunately, nobody is on the trains anymore, it seems like,” Sievwright said. “We noticed that during COVID and it hasn't come back at all and all of the construction that is about to happen across the street, it is going to be a nightmare … Over time, we've lost the after work crowd that would usually be either having a beer before hopping on the train to head back into the city or the six o'clock crowd coming off the train, having a beer and some takeout to take home.”
Zaragoza
Zaragoza and its sibling restaurants Duke's Tavern and Cool Hand Duke's closed in June — just a month after the New Milford three restaurants merged to form a new hospitality group called Duke's Hospitality.
Zaragoza opened at 31 Bank St. in 2016 and served small bites or tapas. Cool Hand Duke's opened at 30 Railroad St. in 2018 and served BBQ, whiskey and local craft beer. Duke's Tavern was an American fine-dining restaurant at 59 Bank St. and had a soft opening last year.
Cool Hand Duke's and Duke's Tavern operated out of the same building and kitchen, although each restaurant had a different menu. Zaragoza was located up the road from the two other restaurants.
— Kaitlin Lyle
Pasta Vita
Pasta Vita, a "gourmet go-to" store with pastas and prepared meals, closed its Darien location without notice in March and then shuttered four locations in Avon, Mohegan Sun, South Windsor and Wethersfield in July. Its original location remains open in Old Saybrook.
— Mollie Hersh and Jailene Cuevas
Retro Pub & Grub
Retro Grub and Pub in Derby closed its doors with a sendoff party in July. “I can say proudly that we survived the pandemic,” says a Facebook and Instagram post announcing the closure.
The post did not cite a specific reason for the restaurant's closing, but owner Gary Pettinella said it was a combination of factors. He said that the pandemic fundamentally changed the restaurant business. That, combined with construction in Derby that made it more difficult to access the restaurant, meant that he was working harder than ever to keep staffed and supplied, while profits were smaller.
Mosaico
Jessica Simms
Layla Schlack
After five years at their Branford Venezuelan eatery on Main Street, Mosaico owners Luis Cubillan and Jenniffer Mayoral got word at the end of August that they would have to leave their current location.
They launched Mosaico Frozen, the line of frozen foods available for shipping on Amazon and locally, and continued their catering services. In November, the couple opened Mosaico Express, a takeout and delivery spot in Milford, and they are looking to open at a new Branford location
by the spring.
Franco’s Pizza
Franco's Pizza in Milford served its last slice on July 26 after 32 years of business.
“As you all know the last three years of have been very difficult for all of us. We have decided it would be in our best interest to close the business at the end of the month and start a new chapter,” a Facebook announcement stated.
According to the Franco's Pizza website, Franco is an Italian immigrant who opened a restaurant to live the American dream. Among its specialties are a shrimp scampi pie, a salad pizza with housemade dressing and a bruschetta pie. It also serves subs, pastas, calzones, stuffed breads and salads.
The pizzeria was initially located in downtown Milford, at 44-64 River St. In August 2019, it had to move due to plans to develop a garage, retail and apartments. Two months later, Franco's Pizza reopened at the Berwyn Street address, in the Devon neighborhood.
Gargano Pasta
Gargano Pasta & Italian Market in Old Saybrook, a market and cafe with freshly made pastas, baked goods and specialty Italian products, closed in August after just over one year in business.
Owners Joel and Lani Gargano announced the closing on Facebook. “Being a part of the Old Saybrook community this past year has brought us immense joy,” they wrote. “We appreciate the patronage from near and far. This Sunday 8/6 was our last service at Gargano Pasta, we know it was sudden but it was an important decision to make.”
But the Main Street space will technically stay in the family. Joel Gargano's brother, Justin, will open a new location of his Thimble Island Brewing Company there early next year, offering food and drink and an atmosphere geared toward families.
The Stand
Vegan restaurant The Stand closed its doors in Fairfield Aug. 27.
“Sadly, the recovery from the pandemic hasn't really been much of a recovery for most restaurants,” owner Jenna McPartland said in a statement posted to the restaurant's website and Instagram. “We can no longer afford the cost of doing business, so we are closing. We are hoping to reopen with a new location and new ideas. To stay up-to-date on our progress, please sign up for our newsletter.”
"Our last day will be August 27th, so please come in to have some food and chat us up," McPartland continued. "Thank you so much for your support these last five years. Please continue to support Vegan restaurants, to shop local, and to be kind to everyone who works in service. We'll let you know when we find a new home."
Il Capriccio
Il Capriccio Ristorante E Bar, an Italian eatery at 1015 Bridgeport Ave. in MIlford, closed permanently in August.
Alex and Phyllis Gjeka opened their Stratford restaurant in 2019, right before the pandemic, at the urging of a family member who owns two establishments in New Haven. An Albanian refugee, Phyllis has 18 years of experience in Italian cuisine having worked in the restaurant industry in Rome after escaping Albania.
— Nick Sambides
Pastra Nostra
Pasta Nostra in Norwalk closed for good at the end of August. According to a post on the restaurant's Facebook page, chef and owner Joe Bruno is retiring. — Layla Schlack
Flora Lisa Reisman
Layla Schlack
Leeanne Griffin
Leeanne Griffin
West Hartford's Flora, which opened as a plant-based restaurant in 2017, closed in
October to transition into a new concept, Birdie Lounge. Owner KC Ward, who also owns and operates Newington's Rooster Company, reimagined the Raymond Road space with a new menu inspired by its chicken-focused sibling restaurant, seasonal cocktails and vinyl records.
Ward said he thinks Birdie Lounge will "fully realize" the potential of the restaurant space, and hopes to open Flora in another location at some point. While Flora's vegan dishes like buffalo cauliflower, "chicken" parmesan made from a wheat-based meat substitute and nutbased cheese plates were well-received, he said the area "wasn't humming" with the same demand for vegan fare as there may be in a larger city.
The Painted Lemon
The Painted Lemon in Sherman closed its doors in early November. In a post on its Facebook page, the eatery on Route 37 said it has to close due to “extenuating, personal and financial circumstances.”
The post additionally said, “We thank you so much for five years of loyalty and commitment to making The Painted Lemon the most enjoyable experience possible. … It is with a heavy heart ... that I must share this news with you.”
— Sandra Diamond Fox
Roux
Roux Cajun Eatery, a Simsbury restaurant specializing in Louisiana cuisine, closed its doors in early November. The restaurant opened in May 2021.
But in the same post, they noted they are working on a new location for their business, known for its jambalaya, gumbo, po'boy sandwiches and crawfish étouffée.
"We are officially closed in Simsbury. We are working on our second location and will let you know soon where we are opening," the post read. "We deliberated and did test runs to determine if we should have two locations or just one. In the end, it is the right decision for our business and our family to move to the new location and go all in."
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Billy’s Bakery
A Fairfield bakery closed its doors for the final time in November after more than two decades of business.
Billy's Bakery on Black Rock Turnpike shut down Nov. 12, according to a Facebook post from the business. The bakery has been open since 2001, specializing in “European-style artisan breads, pastries and desserts,” according to its website.
The bakery's website states the business drew its inspiration from a family of “bread enthusiasts,” especially Bill Hollis, who sold the shop after 17 years to a real estate agency named Kleban Ventures in 2018. Owner Mariola Boruch-Karwacki bought the bakery that year, according to Connecticut Secretary of the State records.
The bakery, which struggled with health inspections during its roughly final year, racked up seven of the most critical health violations the Health Department recognized during an inspection in September. The inspector found ants crawling on food in a case of croissants and ant killer stored with food products in the restaurant, according to inspection records. The business also failed a pair of inspections last year under the previous system of mandatory health checks.
Melissa Soricelli, a sanitarian with the Health Department, said the department was unaware of the cause behind the business' closure.
Boston Market
Leeanne Griffin
Leeanne Griffin
Jarrod Wardwell
Boston Market locations across Connecticut have closed amid financial difficulties at the Golden, Colo.-based chain. Until recently, the chain had seven restaurants in the state.
Boston Market's Danbury location, in Plumtrees Plaza on Newtown Road, closed earlier this year after being evicted for non-payment of rent according to
court records while a Superior Court judge in November ordered the chain's Old Greenwich location to be vacated. Other locations in West Hartford, Stratford, Meriden, Wilton and East Haven have also been closed.
The closings come as U.S. Labor Department officials are investigating the company in various jurisdictions across the country for non-payment of wages and workers being paid late.
— Luther Turmelle
Windsor Farms
Windsor Farms Restaurant & Ice Cream, a family-style restaurant known for its home-cooked breakfasts, closed in early December. After more than three decades, Sheila Lyons said "it's just time" to close the restaurant on Windsor Avenue, adding that as pastor of the New Birth Community Church of God in Bloomfield, she can focus more on her pastoral duties.
Chuck’s Steakhouse
After nearly 50 years in business, Chuck's Steakhouse was sold to Danbury's Barbarie's Grill owners and temporarily closed.
With the acquisition, the owners of Barbarie's say they plan to eventually close their Danbury Fair mall location.
“We would like to make it seamless,” part-owner Dean Barbarie said in October about the planned move out of the mall and the opening of what will be called “Chuck's Steakhouse by Barbarie's” on Segar Street in the coming months.
He said the new restaurant's opening — as well as the closure of Barbarie's Grill, which opened at the mall in the space formerly occupied by Brio Tuscan Grille in 2020 — will likely be in January or February.
Oak Haven Table & Bar
After more than 10 years on State Street, Oak Haven Table & Bar closed its doors Dec. 2.
Albert Greenwood, who opened the restaurant with business partner Craig Hotchkiss in the summer of 2013, said there were several factors contributing to the decision. Business at Oak Haven never fully recovered after the initial COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions in 2020, he said, while noting inflation's impact on the cost of goods. The restaurant's revenue dropped 40 percent from 2022 to 2023, he said.
Terreno
Terreno Restaurant, which reopened at Hartford's Goodwin Hotel in November 2022 after a lengthy COVID-related closure, closed for good on Dec. 9.
Restaurateur Tyler Anderson, who operated the California/Italian-inspired concept at the hotel in 2020, confirmed the closure Monday, and said its associated bar, Bar Piña, will remain open through the end of the year. His team will also handle scheduled parties and events through the end of 2023.
But another Connecticut culinary brand is set to take over the bar and catering events at the Goodwin. Max Hospitality will be the new operators as of Jan. 1, 2024, CEO and president Scott Smith confirmed Monday.
G-Monkey
Jamila Young
Kendra Baker
Leeanne Griffin
Fast-casual vegan restaurant G-Monkey will close in West Hartford Dec. 16, after about a year and a half in business in the town's Elmwood neighborhood. Owners Ami Beach and Mark Shadle plan to focus on growing their food truck business, and pursuing other opportunities like lectures on vegan nutrition and holistic health at their farm in Durham and private, all-inclusive vegan adventure trips to Puerto Rico.
Information about these and their other ventures — Shadle's consulting business and Beach's holistic healing — will be on their website ZenNourished.
—
Layla Schlack