The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
A PEEK AT THE MENU
Tentative lease reveals details on new riverfront eatery
MIDDLETOWN — The execution of a lease between the city and Eli Cannon’s Tap Room to occupy the old canoe club property, an integral part of the riverfront revitalization plan, has been approved.
Common Council members also created the 80 Harbor Drive Renovation Building Committee and will appoint seven members at its Sept. 21 special meeting to offer advice on the project.
Eli Cannon’s, which operates under the LLC A&R Lamonica Restaurants, will sign the lease for the three-story, 15,000-square-foot building that formerly housed the Mattabesett Canoe Club. It spells out the conditions of the agree
ment, including the creation of a “plant-filled” indoor environment that will complement the outdoors, with natural light flowing through.
A takeout window for The Dragon Shack, a nod to Middletown High School students who will be working there, will offer lower-priced food for boardwalk and “boat-up” patrons. Twenty percent of the outdoor stand’s proceeds will be donated to the high school’s senior class each year.
The Good Neighbors Coffee & Creamery, a partnership with womenowned Middletown businesses, NoRA Cupcake Co. and Perkatory Coffee Roasters, will be in a location separate from the restaurant.
A glass-enclosed, “visible” working brew system, in conjunction with Eli Canon’s Brewing Collective, which focuses on local craft beer, will be located on the first floor of the restaurant.
The lease establishes the loose parameters of the agreement, Deputy Mayor and Common Councilman Vincent Loffredo said at the monthly meeting.
“There are some benchmarks that are set forth in that, but they are flexible. It may require some additional time,” Loffredo said. “Both the city and the lessors recognize that there’s a need for that kind of flexibility to allow for the proper revitalization of that particular facility.”
The goal is to adhere to the agreement as best as possible, Mayor Ben Florsheim said during the meeting.
“At the advent of any major building project — which this one will be — is to set out those goals and those timelines and those parameters with the understanding that we will work very diligently to stay within them,” he said.
The city is spearheading construction on the site in terms of infrastructure, Deputy Majority Leader Grady Faulkner said at the meeting.
That will include the installation of a rooftop photovoltaic power station, updated HVAC system, a new sprinkler system and roof, Loffredo said. The contract states the city will spend no more than $1 million on improvements.
“Hopefully, come spring, summer, a year from now, the facility will be up and running,” Loffredo told councilors, adding there may be some delays with supplies due to the pandemic.
“In light of what’s been going on, and the ability to engage all the necessary vendors needed to provide all the changes down there, additional time may be necessary. All parties ... recognize that we want to do this right, and if it’s going to take an extra month or two to get it done right, that’s what’s going to happen,” the deputy mayor said.
Rocco and Aubrey Lamonica estimate the cost for its portion of renovations will be $350,000.
For the first two years, the lease will be $60,000 annually. It then increases to $180,562 and continues through year 10, when the annual rent will be $210,298, according to the contract.
The 10-year lease will run through April 30, 2032. Another five-year extension, through 2042, will be offered, the contract states.