Project updates around Southington!

Winter isn’t slowing down plans for new (and renewed) business along the busy Queen Street corridor as we head into the new year.

-The renovation of Southington’s first Dunkin’ is complete. The shop, at 856 Queen St., underwent a quick facelift that included the installation of new equipment, furniture and signage. The store reopened to customers this week. It opened in 1969 as the first Dunkin’ Donuts location in town.

-Work continues to meet an early-2025 grand opening deadline for a new Five Below in the plaza anchored by Shop Rite at 755 Queen St. Crews in the last several weeks began the project in earnest as the former CVS Pharmacy storefront was gutted. Exterior construction also moves forward ahead of signage installation.

-Just steps from Queen Street, On the Mend Medical Supplies & Equipment is gearing up for a grand opening at 50 Spring St. The business specializes in providing an array of home medical equipment, in addition to assessments and consultations. The company additionally operates locations in Southbury, upstate New York and southern California. The Southington store replaces aGift Store and the After Hours entertainment venue.

-The former Starbucks adjacent to Denny’s that has been vacant since the coffee shop chain relocated north on Queen Street in 2022, will be occupied again in 2025. According to plans on file at Town Hall, the spot opposite the I-84 ramps is being transformed into the Queens Mart convenience store. Applications show the site was originally proposed as a cigar and tobacco shop by owner Mocha Yemen LLC of Westbury, New York. The company purchased the 18-year-old building for $1.5 million earlier this year.
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-The demolition of the former Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard at 279 Queen St. is expected to begin soon. The shop didn’t open in the spring for its 21st season after the franchisees couldn’t reach a lease agreement with property owners. A new Aroma Joe’s drive-thru coffee shop was anticipated to be open at the site by the end of the year, but owners are now planning a 2025 debut, in time for the chain’s 25th anniversary. It will join locations in Bristol and Waterbury and more than 100 in New England and Florida.