The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
30-plus Conn. restaurants closed in 2023
By Leeanne Griffin, Layla Schlack, Andrew DaRosa, Kaitlin Lyle, Kendra Baker, Jarrod Wardwell, Cassandra Day, Mark Zaretsky, Kalleen Rose Ozanic, Jessica Simms, Jailene Cuevas, Lisa Reisman, Joseph Villanova, Sandra Diamond Fox, Luther Turmelle, Jamila Young, Nick Sambides and Mollie Hersh
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
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. —
The Half Door
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 co-founder, 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. — Cassandra Day
Lan Chi
Middletown's Lan Chi closed in June after more than a decade. Owner Chu Ngo said she realized