Norm's Diner is a classic American diner located at 171 Bridge Street in Groton. The diner has been a fixture of Groton since it opened in the 1950s as the Silk City Diner.

The diner serves breakfast and lunch in their little restaurant. On their menu you'll find classic breakfast staples including eggs (prepared to your liking), pancakes, omelets, french toast, home fries, bacon, bisquits & gravy, and other breakfast specials! On their lunch menu you'll find sandwiches, burgers, fries, cheese steaks, wraps, soups, chili, salads, and a variety of desserts; including Maple Waffle Fries which sounds amazing!

The interior of the diner car is the definition of a 1950s style with the trademark chrome elements, multi-color floor, and rounded ceiling. The staff was amazingly friendly; making even first-time visitors like myself feel like daily-regulars.

My friend and I stopped in for breakfast on our way to The Velvet Mill. We got breakfast platters with eggs, bacon, homefries, toast, and pancakes. Everything was delicious and the pancakes were light and fluffy. Coffee was also great and our waitress never let the cup get empty! Thank you to the staff for an amazing experience.

Find them at 171 Bridge Street in Groton

They are open:
Monday, Wednesday-Friday 5am-1pm
Saturday & Sunday 7am-1pm
Closed Tuesday
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Have you ever visited Norm's Diner in Groton? What are your thought? Comment below!

Cornerstone Deli is a locally owned and operated sandwich shop located at 529 Main Street in Hartford. The restaurant has been a staple of Hartford for decades; with people lining up by the dozens for their food.

The sandwich shop is known for their delicious chicken cutlet subs; along with the generous portions and friendly atmosphere. They also serve a plethora of other quick meals including deli sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, pastas, salads, and much more! New for 2026 are grab & go meals; coming soon!

The restaurant recently changed hands with Ernest Rode and Jena Del Piano taking the helm of the deli. Nothing has changed; the same familiar faces are still greeting you when you walk in the door.

Find Cornerstone Deli at 529 Main Street in Hartford
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The restaurant is open:
Monday through Friday 8am-2:30pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday

Waffle Pop Sweet Shop is a newer gem, recently opening in August in Pawcatuck. The shop is located at 110 West Broad Street in the Pawcatuck section of Stonington; they were previously located inside The Velvet Mill. 

The shop serves waffle pops with various flavors including Plain Jane, S'mores, Cheesecake, Peach Cobbler, Tutti-Fruity, Biscoff, Strawberries & Cream, Peanut Butter Cup, Canoli, and many more. The shop also serves a variety of gelatos, slushies, candy, sweets, and others! Find the full menu on their website here:
https://www.wafflepopct.com

Did you know their shop is available for private parties? Waffle Pop has various party packages with each tier offering a waffle pop, gelato, and souvenir for party guests along with a reserved party room for the celebration! Find more information on their party packages here: https://www.wafflepopct.com/promos-party-packages​

Find them at 110 West Broad Street in Pawcatuck!

They are open:
Monday through Thursday 2pm-9pm
Friday 2pm-10pm
Saturday 8am-10pm
Sunday 8am-9pm

The Baker’s Dozen is a coffee shop chain, locally owned, based out of Brooklyn, CT! The local chain has locations throughout Eastern Connecticut.

The shop serves donuts, bagels, muffins, breakfast sandwiches, and some lunch options. For drinks, the shop serve coffee, iced coffee, smoothies, coffee-coolers, frozen lemonade, frozen hot chocolate, and much more!

The family owned company started in Putnam in 1980 and has since expanded to 9 locations with a 10th opening soon in North Stonington.

Find them at:
-520 Providence Road in Brooklyn
-767 Norwich Road in Plainfield
-24 Mashamoquet Road in Pomfret
-50 East Main Street in Central Village
-162 West Town Street in Norwich
-1506 CT-12 in Gales Ferry
-303 Kennedy Drive in Putnam
-644 School Street in East Putnam
-64 Willimantic Road in Chaplin
-76 Norwich Westerly Road in North Stonington (Soon!)

They are open:
Weekdays 5am-7pm
Saturday & Sunday 5:30-7pm
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What’s your go-to menu item? Comment below!

One of the largest Asian festivals comes to Hartford this weekend!

Panda Fest - Connecticut will take place this Saturday and Sunday (09/27-28)! The event is one of the biggest outdoor Asian food festivals in the US with activiites, tastings, and a market showcasing the vibrant food, art, and cultural traditions from Asia!

The event will take place at the Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Hartford on 09/27 and 09/28 starting at 10am! Buy your tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/pandafestct
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At Panda Fest, you’ll find:
-100+ Asian food & drinks
-Live Cultural Performances include KPop, Thai Dance, Chinese Acrobatics, and more
-Panda merch, mascot & giant inflatables

Mystic River Chocolate Cafe is a great little gem that serves bean-to-bar chocolate, ice cream, in-house roasted coffee, and self-brewed beer! They are located at 12 Water Street in Mystic, part of the Factory Square complex.

The chocolate shop makes their own chocolate; getting in raw cacao beans and crafting them into fresh small-batch chocolate bars and truffles.

The Craft Beer is house-made using freshly malted grains, hops and inclusions, fruit, spices and cacao. The beer is crafted with as much care as they put into their chocolate. Featuring a range of fresh brews including lively IPA, Belgian White Ale, Nitro Brew Chocolate Stout or Chocolate Ale using their Organic Cacao.

They serve some of the best coffee in town, roasted in-house to perfection. Try their drinks, espresso drinks, lattes, and our Affogato with espresso served over their own soft-serve Ice Cream!

Ice Cream is crafted with only natural ingredients, no corn syrup, no fillers! Just local dairy milk, vanilla, chocolate, pure cane sugar and cream. Make sure to try some of their seasonal drinks including frozen hot chocolate, frozen lemonades, and others!

Find them at 12 Water Street in Mystic

The shop is open:
Sunday through Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 10am-6pm

Tell them The Connecticut Scoop sent you!

The Velvet Mill is an amazing small business marketplace located in Stonington! The sprawling mill building is located at 22 Bayview Avenue in Stonington, CT; home to dozens of unique and small businesses.

The building dates back to 1888 where velvet was manufactured by the A. Wimpfheimer & Brothers company. The building was converted into the small business marketplace in after the mill closed in 1996. The mill is home to many wonderful businesses including a brewery, a distillery, sandwich shop, bagelry, bakery, and many more. Within the factory are indoor courtyard with skylights, fairy lights, and seating for use by tenants and customers.

Looking to do some shopping? The mill is home to many local stores with a wide vairety of items. Check out a variety of vintage shops, antique stores, boutiques, and many more. Coming soon to the mill is The Mystic Cheese Shop in Unit #87!

Looking for food? There are an amazing selection of restaurants through the complex! Some of the options include Masa Artisanal Sandwiches , Whitecrest Eatery, Zest Fresh Pastry, The Back Door Kitchen & Pizzeria, Borough Bagel Co, The Caramel Apple Lady, Dock 9, and others. Everything for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.

Looking for some drinks? The space is home to The Beer'd Brewing Co.. They serve freshly brewed beer out of their taproom inside the mill. The Velvet Mill is also home to Rum Tropic Distillery, making the finest rum and vodka including numerous varieties with a tropical theme.

Don't miss the Stonington Village Farmers' Market on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm! The market takes place outside of The Velvet Mill until mid-October when the market moves inside The Velvet Mill! The market is home to local vendors, farmers, live music, and much more.

Find The Velvet Mill at 22 Bayview Avenue in Stonington, CT
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The Mill is open:
Monday through Wednesday from 8 am to 5pm
Thursday through Sunday from 8 am to 9pm
Hours of individual stores vary!

Fun Events to do this weekend!

​St. Leo Fair (Stamford), August 26th-30th
The fair continues to be one of the largest events in the greater Stamford area. You, your family and friends can enjoy great rides, games and delicious food. Find more info here: https://www.stleostamford.org/fair/

Woodstock Fair, August 28th-September 1st
Connecticut's largest agricultural fair, and also one of the oldest, the Woodstock Fair is a five day fair held in South Woodstock, CT. "Always Labor Day Weekend" is their motto. Find more info here: https://www.woodstockfair.com

Haddam Neck Fair, August 29th-September 1st
Fun fair with rides, food, fun, and much more. Don’t miss tractor pulls, truck pulls, and livestock events. Find more info here: https://www.haddamneckfair.com

Goshen Fair, August 30th-September 1st
Fair with food, rides, competitions, and live music. Find more info here: https://goshenfair.org

The Connecticut Renaissance Faire, August 30th-October 19th
Saturdays & Sundays through October 19th and Labor Day & Columbus Day Mondays! Explore 100+ artisan shops overflowing with handmade goods, rare finds, and gifts you won’t see anywhere else. Experience live entertainment on 12 stages with music, comedy, acrobatics, jousting, and interactive shows for all ages. Let the kids become knights, while grown-ups enjoy hearty food, refreshing drinks, and unforgettable atmosphere. Find more info here: https://ctfaire.com/

Which festival or fair are you planning on attending? Did we miss any? Comment them below for us to add!

Shrek Rave, August 22nd at 7pm
Celebrating 7 years of Labyrinth Brewing Company, the party will be located at Dead Language Beer Project in Hartford! The party is free and will feature a DJ, Swamp Drank (by Drink Mechanics), Ogre Shouting Contest, Costume Contest, food from Thomas' Smokey Pit Stop. Find more info here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/712448565117317

Brooklyn Fair, August 21st-24th
Fun traditional fair in Windham County! Enjoy food, fun, live entertainment, rides, and much more! Tickets available online at https://www.brooklynfair.org/

Silk City Fest, August 23rd at 1pm-9:30pm
FREE event for live music, local artists & makers, interactive activities, games, food trucks, and lots of beer and cider from local breweries! The event will be located in downtown Manchester, CT, on Purnell Place.

74th Manchester Peach Festival, August 23rd at 4pm-8pm
The 74th Manchester Peach Festival will feature live music, peach shortcake, family fun, food trucks, and more! Located at 151/161 Sheldon Road, Manchester, CT. All proceeds from the Peach Festival support the mission of the Manchester Fire Support Group. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the gate.
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Chester Fair, August 22nd-24th
Fair taking place Chester with rides, food, and fun competitions like their Woman Frying Pan Throwing Contest and Baby Crawling Competition! Find more information and tickets here: https://www.chesterfair.org/

Terryville Lions Country Fair, August 22nd-24th
Country Fair with animal barns, exhibits, children's activities, laser light show, and much more! Enjoy carnival rides, food, live entertainment while raising money for the Lions Club. Find more information here: https://www.terryvillefair.org/

Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival, August 22nd-23rd
This beloved community tradition features vibrant hot air balloons, live entertainment, family-friendly attractions, and more—all supporting the Plainville Fire Company’s fundraising efforts, including scholarships and assistance to local organizations. Find more info here: https://www.plainvillefireco.com/content/balloon

2025 Old Wethersfield PorchFest! , August 23rd
Come down to the historic district of Old Wethersfield from am to 4pm to enjoy music like you never heard before. Bands and artists will be performing on the porches, front yards, and courtyards of Main Street. You'll find dozens of local vendors joining the festivities. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2021762661681818

Coventry Farmers' Market, August 24th at 10am
The farmer's market features dozens of local vendors including apiaries, bakeries, meadery, donuts, artisans, coffee, meats, vegetables, fruits, and much more! Enjoy live music and entertainment on-site. This week's theme is Fiber & Potters Market. Find more info here: https://coventryfarmersmarket.org/

See more events happening this fall here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/16mpwubN23/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Coventry Farmers Market is one of the largest farmer's markets in Connecticut! The market happens every Sunday from 10am to 1pm at the Nathan Hale Homestead at 2299 South Street in Coventry.

The farmer's market features dozens of local vendors including apiaries, bakeries, meadery, donuts, artisans, coffee, meats, vegetables, fruits, and much more! Enjoy live music and entertainment on-site.

The market features a new theme every week. The themes for the remaining weeks include:
-August 24 – Fiber and Potters Market
-August 31 – Savor n’ Sip Sunday
-September 7 – Dog Days
-September 14 – Going Green
-September 21 – Celebrate National Honey Month
-September 28 – CT Cheese Day
-October 5 – Apple Harvest/Fire Prevention
-October 12 – National Farmers’ Day
-October 19 – Holiday Market
-October 26 – Pumpkin Harvest Celebration
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Vote for them to be ranked as '2025 Number 1 Farmers Market in CT' here: https://markets.farmland.org/markets/309158