​A new trading card store is coming to Storrs Center!

Monmouth Cards is coming soon to Storrs Center. The new store will be located in Suites 109 and 110 at 9 Dog Lane in Storrs, next door to Jefferson Fry Company.

The new tenants buys, sells, and trades all types of trading cards including sports cards, Pokemon, TCG, and much more! Card are available in singles, boxes, graded/ungraded, and mystery bags! The shop will also host in-store events. Find more information online at: https://monmouthcards.com/
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No timeline has been announced for their opening. This will be their third CT location with an open location in Stamford and another under construciton in West Hartford.

A local doughnut shop has announced their planned closure.

Dad’s Doughs will be closing is doors at the end of June. The mini-doughnut shop is located at 483 Storrs Road in Mansfield, in the former Town Garange building. Dad's Doughs opened in November 2024.

The shop sold fresh-made mini doughnuts (with an amazing selection of flavors), drip coffee, and other beverages; they focused on supporting local brands including Baronet Coffee, Hosmer Mountain Soda, Mountain Dairy, and others.

The shop said in their announcement: "The last eighteen months have been a dream come true for all of us at Dad's Doughs. The relationships with all of our guests has been incredibly rewarding. You've included us in so many of your special occasions. And even the random weekday treats. You've welcomed us into your schools, businesses, and places of worship. These connections mean more than words can express. We've sold local products, made by members of our community, in a historic building in the town we grew up in. A true dream come to life. The hard truth is that this concept needed more and more frequent guests than we were able to reach. We set out to be different. We puched to be the best. We did things differently...maybe to differently. Instead of closing abruptly, we invite you to come say goodbye and give us the chance to say thank you one more time. We'll stay open until the end of June as we wind down. Please stop in, visit us again, and use your rewards and gift cards."

We are saddened to hear of their closure. Owner Lucas Ahern is one of the nicest people in the restaurant business. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.
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Stop in before the end of June and give them a try.

A new Lego store has opened in Vernon!

Brick Buy Brick is NOW OPEN at 435 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon! The store is located next to Records The Good Kind at The Shops at 30.

The new store sells Legos including sets, individual bricks, a large selection of mini-figures, and many more! The store also carries a selection of other toys and collectibles. The store was previously located in Storrs.

Check out their ‘Jerky Hut’, a section of the store dedicated to Full Throttle Beef Jerky (their family’s own brand), seasonings, hot sauces, and other food items!

They are open now for eager shoppers. The store will host their grand opening on May 9th featuring giveaways, raffles, and other fun activities. 

Find them at 435 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon
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They are open:
Monday 10pm-5pm
Wednesday through Friday 10pm-5pm
Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm

Today is the final day to visit Traveler Restaurant under the longtime owners!

The restaurant is being sold to Blondie's Diner, to be their third location behind Willimantic and Chaplin. The new ownership plans to keep the used book program and store; alongside breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.

The restaurant posted in a statement: “Today at 10 am we will unlock our doors for the very last time as Travelers Food & Books after 33+ years! Thank you to all of our loyal customers new and old and the continuing support through out all of these years, you have also left a special place in our hearts. Art and Karen Murdock have built something incredible in this small little town and should be so incredibly proud of themselves! This retirement is very well deserved. With that being said let's leave some comments or kind words for them to see on this post...even photos if you have them. Congratulations to Art & Karen”

There is expected to be no downtime between owners, with Blondie's reopening under the 'Traveler' name tomorrow.

Traveler restaurant is located at 1257 Buckley Highway in Union, conveniently off of I-84. The landmark eatery and its eye-popping yellow roof have drawn hungry travelers off the highway for decades.

Read more about Travelers from our ‘Local Gems’ series here: https://www.theconnecticutscoop.com/.../local-gem...

ConeHeads Creamery & Fossil Falls Miniature Golf have officially opened for the season! The ice cream shop & mini-golf course are located at 95 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon, part of the former/future Connecticut Golf Land complex.

The ice cream stand serves hard and soft serve; including 32 homemade flavors. The shop also serves Italian Ice, non-dairy ice cream, no sugar added ice cream, sundaes, milkshakes, and more!

Fossil Falls Miniature Golf features an 18-hole course with dinosaur theme with impressive set pieces, large dinos, and water features.
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Stop in for a fun day of mini-golf and ice cream!

GNC has permanently closed its Vernon location.

GNC was located at 35 Talcottville Road in Vernon, between Dollar Tree & Shah’s at Tri-City Plaza. The store sold a variety of vitamins, protein products, and supplements and supplements.
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The next closest location is now inside The Shoppes at Buckland Hills.

Somer’s newest coffee shop has set their opening date!

Roasted Beanery will open its doors on April 27th! The new coffee house will be located at Somers Crossing, 95 South Road in Somers, near Geissler’s Supermarket.

At Roasted Beanery, coffee is more than a beverage—it’s a craft, a ritual, and a moment of connection. They are dedicated to elevating every detail, from sourcing the finest beans to perfecting each pour. Excellence is not just their standard; it’s their passion.

Their philosophy includes three main principles:
•CRAFT — A relentless pursuit of quality in every bean, every roast, and every interaction.
•COFFEE — An elevated experience, where every sip tells a story of origin, flavor, and expert craftsmanship.
•CONNECT — A space that fosters connection, from intimate conversations to a shared love of coffee, both in-person and online.

Check them out on April 27th!
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95 South Road in Somers!

Check out the newest AYCE sushi option in Connecticut!

Wen Ming House in Ellington has added ‘All You Can Eat’ sushi to their menu! The restaurant is located at 89 West Road in Ellington.

The new AYCE menu features a variety of your favorite sushi rolls, Japan & Chinese appetizers, Wok entrees, soups, salads, rice, noodles, maki, and much more!

Every meal includes a beverage as well. The restaurant has a variety of beverages available including Milk Tea, Fruit Tea, sodas, boba, and more.

Pricing:
Adults $29.99
Kids | 4-6 $12.99
Kids | 7-10 $17.99

Find them at 89 West Road in Ellington
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They are open:
Tuesday through Thursday 11am-9:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm
Sunday 12pm-9:30pm
Closed Monday

A local comic book and collectibles store has relocated to a larger space with more to come this summer!

Action Packed is now open in their new location! The store has moved next door to 40 Wilbur Cross Way in Storrs Center, the former Amazon Pick-Up space. Action Packed! is now located at 40 Wilbur Cross Way.

The new store space opened on March 27th, but will continue to expand later this summer. They will add a new arcade section to the store, dubbed Action Packed Arcade.

The store carries a variety of comics, collectibles, video games, Pokémon, trading cards, Funko Pops, and more pop-culture items. They opened in early 2024.

Find them at 40 Wilbur Cross Way in Storrs Center
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The store is open:
Monday 12pm-6pm
Tuesday 12pm-5pm
Wednesday through Saturday 12pm-6pm
Closed Sunday

A new restaurant has opened in Storrs Center!

Dog House Sub is NOW OPEN at 33 Wilbur Cross Way in the Storrs section of Mansfield! The new restaurant is located next door to Huskies Restaurant and Bar.

The new fast-casual eatery a variety of cold and hut sub sandwiches including favorites like American Combo, Italian, Chicken Parm, & Philly Cheesesteaks! Sandwiches are available is 2 sizes, half & whole. The restaurant has numerous salad options as well. Find their full menu their website here: www.doghousesubs.com

The new fast-casual sandwich shop is from the team behind Huskies Restaurant and Huskies Tavern! Bringing their restaurant industry experience to an additional restaurant concept in Storrs.

Find Dog House Subs at 33 Wilbur Cross Way in Storrs
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They are open:
Tuesday through Saturday 11am-6pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

Mansfield Drive-in Theatre & Marketplace has opened for the season!

Mansfield Drive-in Theatre & Marketplace has officially opened their gates for the season. The drive in & flea market opened on April 5th, marking their 72nd season.

The drive in theatre is located at 228 Stafford Road in Mansfield, CT! Each showing is a double feature with movies playing back-to-back. Tickets range from $14.50 for an adult to $10.50 for child/military/senior. Tickets can be prepurchased online at www.mansfielddrivein.com

The flea market runs every Sunday from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm. Buyer parking is just $3.00 per car all day. Want to set up to sell? Check out www.mansfielddrivein.com/flea-market/become-a-vendor/ to find out how.
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What was your first drive in movie? Comment below!

A new liquor store has opened in Vernon!

Toor Wine & Liquor is NOW OPEN in Vernon! The liquor store is part of the brand new plaza at 212 Talcottville Road in Vernon.

The new liquor store has a large selection of wine, liquors, and beer. They have an expansive selection of single cans, one of the largest varieties I’ve seen at a package store.

Find them at 212 Talcottville Road in Vernon
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They are open:
Monday through Saturday 9am-9pm
Sunday 10am-6pm

A new Indian street food option has landed in Vernon!

Spice Town, an Aisan & Indian grocery store, has added 'Street Kitchen' to their store. The new takeout restaurant is located inside their store at 378 Kelly Road in Vernon.

Street Kitchen offers a variety of Indian and Halal options including favorites like Chicken Tandoori with Butter Masala or Korma Sauce, Paneer with Butter Masala, Kati Rolls, Chaat, Samosas, and other. They also serve American favorites like fish & chicken sandwiches, fish & chips, chicken tenders, wings, and more.
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Order online at https://spicetown.shop/products/street-kitchen

Stop in and enjoy fresh Halal food and Indian favorites!

A new Halal Mexican restaurant is coming to Storrs!

Guac N Grill (Guacngrill) is coming soon to 1244 Storrs Road in the Storrs section of Mansfield! The space was previously occupied by Chang’s Garden Chinese Restaurant.

The restaurant serve Halal version of popular Mexican cuisine including fresh bowls, tacos & quesadillas crafted with Zabiha halal meats and antibiotic-free produce — served fast-casual style. Construction recently started on their storefront.

Find the menu and more information on their website here: https://guacngrill.com
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Guac N Grill is just the latest addition to Storrs. Doghouse Subs by Huskies Restaurant and Bar will be opening soon at 33 Wilbur Cross Way. These planned openings offset the recent closure of Nautical Bowls, which closed on Friday after 2 years.

Construction is now underway on Vernon’s newest restaurant!

Taste of African Cuisine is now under construction at 200 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon, the former STIIZY Smoke Shop. The restaurant will convert the retail space into a new restaurant with a small dining room with 24 seats.

The menu features a variety of authentic African dishes including Jollof Rice, Waakye, Banku & Okra Soup, Fufu & Light Soup, and much more. Find their menu here: https://www.tasteofafricancuisine.com/
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Stay tuned for more information on their opening!

Traveler Restaurant has been sold!

The book themed breakfast & lunch spot has been purchased by Blondie's Diner for their third location! Blondie’s announced the purchase this morning.

Traveler restaurant is located at 1257 Buckley Highway in Union, conveniently off of I-84. The landmark eatery and its eye-popping yellow roof have drawn hungry travelers off the highway for decades.

Not much has been announced about Blondie’s plans/changed to the storied restaurant, but the books will remain according to the owner. Stay tuned for more info on Blondie’s #3!
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Read more about Travelers from our ‘Local Gems’ series here: http://www.theconnecticutscoop.com/.../local-gem-traveler...

​A new sandwich shop is coming soon to Storrs Center!

Dog House Subs will be opening at 33 Wilbur Cross Way in Storrs, a space next door to Huskies Restaurant and Bar in Storrs Center!

The new fast-casual sandwich shop is from the team behind Huskies Restaurant and Huskies Tavern! Bringing their well-known service to an additional restaurant concept.

The new eatery will serve a variety of made-to-order sandwiches, salads, soups, and more. Work on the restaurant is nearly complete with their ordering counter & menu boards now installed.
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Look for them to open soon!

A commercial building in Downtown Rockville has been put on the market.

The two story retail building at 33-35 West Main Street has been put on the market for $1.25 million. The building is 24,000 square feet originally built in 1951.

The building is currently 30% leased, presenting a great ‘value-add’ to any buyer or even an owner-occupied opportunity. The plaza is home to Antonio’s Pizza, Boost Mobile, Get Fresh Laundromat.
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Find the listing here: https://www.loopnet.com/.../33-W-Main-St-Vernon-CT/33673628/

Party City is back, kinda.

A new Party City shop-within-a-shop has been added inside Staples stores including their Vernon location.

The new Party City doesn’t have the variety or volume as its old self, but it does have a decent variety of helium balloons and decorations for major life events.

The newest iteration of Party City now offers custom invitations, banners, cards, balloons, and a variety of party supplies. Hopefully they will continue to add to their party offerings as the concept takes off.
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Check them out inside Staples at Tri-City Plaza.

A local prepared meal market is moving to a larger location in Tolland this year!

Becker's Catering will be moving to the former NY Deli & Grill space at 237 Merrow Road in Tolland. The business is currently located at 401 Merrow Road, next to Pat's Power Equipment.

Construction is underway to convert the former convenience store into the new country market. The new space provides them room to grow with expanded products and services. Chef/Owner Matthew Becker has over 20 years of culinary experience.

Stop in to their market and pick up restaurant quality meals to enjoy in the comfort of your home! Their fully-prepared, chef-driven meals are available in single-serving and family sized portions. The diverse menu offers a wide variety of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options. Becker's offers soups, pastas, seafood, salads, meats, veggies, and desserts.

Becker's Catering also offers Weekly Meals for pick-up or delivery; place your order in advance for the week and guarantee your selections. The business offers catering services, providing stress-free services including pick-up, delivery, set-up, and more.

Find more information on their website: https://www.beckerscatering.com/
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Stay tuned for more information on the opening date of their relocate store!

A Vernon CBD shop has closed its doors.

Your CBD Store by SunMed has permanently closed their Vernon store alongside their Avon and Southington locations.
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The store was located at 425 Talcottville Road in Vernon at The Shops at Eastview. The plaza is also home to Planet Fitness, Great Harvest, Animal City, and others.

Calla Lilys Gifts will be closing the doors of the Vernon boutique.

The gift shop is located at 309 Talcottville Road in Vernon; next door to Juliano’s Pools. The store is expected to close at the end of March after 22 years of business.

Calla Lily’s sells small gifts including memory lamps, sympathy gifts, vases, wind chimes, and much more. Sale items vary; some exceptions apply.
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Stop in and shop before they close in March.

New England for Trump will be closing their Vernon location.

The store sells Trump and Republican-themed items including clothing, flags, signs, and much more. The store is currently running a store closing sale according to a sign posted outside.

The store is located at 154 Talcottville Road in Vernon.
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*Please keep comments civil and on-topic or they will be turned off.

Happy Collectors Toy Store will be closing their Vernon toy store!

The toy store will be closing their physical store and transitioning to online sales only at the end of January. The store is currently located at 630 Talcottville Road in Vernon.
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Stop in and shop before the end of Janaury or shop them online at https://happycollectorstoystore.com/