The Blind Rhino is expanding into Milford!

The sports bar is coming soon to 21 Daniel Street in Milford, the former Eli's Tavern that closed in October after a decade of business. Before Eli's, the space was home to Mustang Sally Saloon.

The new sports bar is expected to open later this year. Bringing their legendary wings and menu to New Haven County!

The restaurant currently has 2 locations including Norwalk and Fairfield (Black Rock), as well as a food truck. The sports bar is famous for their award-winning wings. They've been awards dozens of awards for their wings; and were named Best Sports Bar numerous times.
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The Blind Rhino started in 2015 with their South Norwalk location before expanding into Black Rock in 2019. Find more information about the sports bar and their menu here: https://www.theblindrhino.com/

A big change is coming to Hell's Kitchen at Foxwoods!

Starting May 1st, Season 23 winner Chef Kyle Timpson will step into the role of Executive Chef of Hell's Kitchen at Foxwoods Resort Casino!

Chef Kyle is now the only winner in the show's history to be named Executive Chef at the property where their season was filmed and where they won! He is also the first openly gay male winner in the history of Hell's Kitchen, taking the helm of one of the most high-profile restaurants on the East Coast.

Hell's Kitchen is located in the Grand Pequot Tower, next door to the Pequot Woodland Casino. The restaurant opened in 2023 as part of Foxwood’s renovation including a new gaming floor, Woodland Casino.
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The restaurant features all the fan-favorites including Beef Wellington, scallops, and Lobster Risotto. Reservations and the full menu can be found here: https://www.foxwoods.com/dining/casual/choose/hells-kitchen/

A new dispensary has opened in New Britain!

420 Warehouse has opened their doors at 1 Hartford Square in New Britain. This dispensary grows their product right on site! From bud-to-bag. This is Connecticut's first grow-connected cannabis retailer.

Check them out this 04/20 and save:
-15% OFF any item in-store
-FREE preroll when you join our in-store mailing list
-Exclusive 4/20 drops, deals & vibes all day long
-Senior and Veteran's discounts are available.
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The dispensary is open:
Monday-Saturday 9AM to 8PM
Sunday 10AM to 5PM (Open until 8 on 4/20)

A new Italian kitchen is coming to Clinton!

Chow Food & Beverage Co. will be becoming Ciao! The restaurant is located at 36 Killingworth Turnpike in Clinton; part of Lantern Square.

Ciao! is a modern Italian kitchen featuring New Haven-style apizza, house made fresh pasta, and Italian comfort food! The restaurant will introduce new bold flavors with new cozy vibes.

[Chow] Food & Beverage The current restaurant serves pizza, BBQ, and American favorites. The restaurant opened in 2017; and will close the last week of April to be transformed.

The new restaurant is planned to open in May! Make sure you follow along on their social media (tagged above) for reopening details, sneak peeks, and more!
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Chow Food & Beverage/Ciao! is owned by JGM Restaurant Group (owned by Jeff Mastroianni). The restaurant group owns the Chips Pub at 24 West Main Street in Clinton.

The former Rite Aid Pharmacy in Wethersfield has a new tenant with space for 3 more!

International Institute of Cosmetology will be taking residence in a portion of the former Rite Aid Pharmacy at 657 Silas Deane Highway. The cosmetology school will occupy 4,450 square feet of space.

The remaining 9,950 square feet is still available for lease, with the potential of holding 3 additional tenants.The building will get a much-needed facelift with a new storefront planned.

The new space will be home to 6 treatment rooms, a nail room, eyelash studio, make-up studio, along with student breakroom and office spaces. The International Institure of Cosmetology is currently located at 632 Silas Deane Highway; right across the street from this space.
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Interested in leasing one of the remaining spaces? Find the listing here: https://www.loopnet.com/.../657-Silas-Deane-Hwy.../31643468/

DORO Marketplace is coming soon to Old Saybrook!

The new bakery will occupy the current 745 Osteria at 745 Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook. The sale was announced this morning.

DORO Marketplace is a cafe and bakery serving coffee, espresso, tea, freshly made pastries, sandwiches, breads, cinnamon rolls, and much more. Check out their full menu here: https://www.doromkpl.com

No timeline has been officially announced for their opening, nor has a closing date been announced for 7 Forty Five Osteria. Staff at 7 Forty Five Osteria was recently made aware of the plans for DORO’s take over.
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DORO Marketplace has 3 locations with plans for more in the future; they are located in Wethersfield, West Hartford, and Windsor Locks. DORO Marketplace is owned by DORO Restaurant Group; they also own Casadoro, Treva, Zohara, Artisinal Burger Company, and the upcoming No Mames Mexican Cantina.

Work is set to begin on Bloomfield's new Popeyes location!

The new location of the fast-food restaurant will be located at 36 Tunxis Avenue, in the parking lot of Geissler's Plaza. The building will be roughly 2,500 square feet.

Popeyes serves Lousiana-inspired cuisine including fried chicken, bisquits, fries, mac & cheese, shrimp, chicken sandwiches, and much more. FInd a full menu here: https://www.popeyes.com/menu
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The fast-food chain has additional CT locations under construction in Cromwell, East Hartford, and Wallingford (reopening after fire.)

With Forever 21 closing all their stores including the Westfarms location; is it time to bring back Rainforest Cafe?
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Rainforest Cafe once called the Forever 21 space home for over 10 years before closing in 2013. The Rainforest themed restaurant closed when their lease expired. The space was host to immersive and elaborate theming including animatronic, plants, thunderstorms, aquariums, a gift shop and more. I loved the space as a kid.

While I’m sure the Forever 21 space at Westfarms won’t be vacant for long, I doubt Rainforest Cafe will return sadly. The chain has dwindled down to 22 locations (only 14 in the US) from their peak of 45 locations in the early 2000s. The closest Rainforest Cafe is now in Atlantic City, NJ. 

What would you like to see replace Forever 21 at Westfarms? Comment below!

Demolition work is underway on the former The Wethersfield Diner in Wethersfield.

The former diner will be demolished to make way for a new housing complex. The new complex will have 1 retail space and 18 apartments over 4-stories.
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The Wethersfield Diner permanently closed its doors in January after decades of business at 718 Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield. The business opened in the 1950s, with the current business owner taking over in 2015.

A new theme is coming soon to The Bristol Bazaar! The marketplace is located at 67 Race Street in Bristol.

Get ready to tumble down the rabbit hole... the beloved Candytopia shopping experience is transforming into a whimsical Wonderland!

Inspired by the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland, the shop will be filled with:
Beautiful flowers and lush greenery
Nods to the iconic movies we all know and love
Curiouser and curiouser treasures to discover!

The Bristol Bazaar is a year-round indoor marketplace for dozens of Connecticut's artisans and makers. The owners create highly-immersive themes for the space, transporting shoppers into a new world. The space features storefronts, shelves, vendor carts, pit tables with products from just shy of 70 small business owners. The vendors have their individual spaces, but it is all handled through a single checkout station in the marketplace.

The space is also host to Yellow King Brews, a coffee shop and cocktail bar. Yellow King Brews is famous for their espresso martini flights and craft coffees made with freshly roasted beans. The Bristol Bazaar features a classroom for makers to teach their craft and a think tank for sharing ideas, client meetings, collaborative meetings, and more.
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Find them at 67 Race Street in Bristol, CT

The marketplace's hours are:
Tuesday-Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday-Saturday 9am- 9pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm
Closed Monday

A new Polish market is coming to Old Saybrook!

Little Polska Market & Deli is coming soon to 1271 Boston Post Road in Old Saybrook. The new shop will feature Polish-favorites, deli meats, and other goodies.

The market will be a Polski Sklep - traditional Polish market and deli aiming to open around May 1, 2025. Among their deli and market offerings; notary and Polish translation services will be available.
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Follow them on Instagram at @littlepolskact

Walgreens will be permanently closing an additional CT location in New Milford!

The Walgreens Pharmacy store at 173 Danbury Road in New Milford will permanently close on May 21st. The New Milford location joins the recently announced 6 locations.
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The most recently announced closures include:
-New Britain at 1350 Stanley Street will close on May 19th
-East Hartford at 922 Silver Lane will close on May 20th
-East Haven at 157 Main Street will close on May 22nd
-Middletown at 311 East Main Street will close on April 23rd
-Waterbury at 11 Meriden Road will close on April 22nd
-Milford at 1083 Boston Post Road will close on April 21st
-New Milford at 173 Danbury Road will close on May 21st
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These stores join the recently closed locations in Hartford and New Haven. The closures are part of 1,200 store closings planned over the next 3 years. “Our retail pharmacy business is central to our go-forward business strategy. However, increased regulatory and reimbursement pressures are weighing on our ability to cover the costs associated with rent, staffing, and supply needs" company spokeswoman Fraser Engerman said in a statement to The Connecticut Scoop earlier this year.

A new coffee shop has opened in Burlington!

The B. Hive is NOW OPEN at 221B Spielman Highway in Burlington, CT. The coffee house is also a roastery and specialty shop.

The latest addition to Burlington's dining scene sells coffee (both drip and espresso-based), baked goods, teas, and more. The breakfast menu features liege waffles, egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and avocado toast. The lunch menu features a BBQ Umami Wrap, Grilled Cheese, and Chicken & Waffles.

Find them at 221B Spielman Highway in Burlington, CT
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The shop is open:
Tuesday-Saturday 9am-2pm
Closed Monday & Sunday
*Make sure you follow their Facebook for expanded hours in the future!*

Luann's Bakery & Cafe is coming soon to Downtown Hartford!

Ellington-based LuAnn’s Bakery & Cafe will open a new location of their shop in Downtown Hartford! The new bakery will be located at 190 Trumbull Street, the former Citizen’s Bank.

The bakery sells coffees (drip & espresso), freshly baked pastries including cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, cakes, and much more. Their menu also features breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, wraps, salads, refreshing beverages, and much more.

The bakery also produces a wide variety of baked goods in their dedicated gluten free kitchen including gluten free, dairy free, and vegan versions of some of LuAnn's Bakery's favorite recipes, in addition to some others. Find their menu here: https://www.luannsbakery.com

LuAnn’s has 2 existing locations in Ellington including 238 Somers Road and their express location at 140 Somers Road. The company has their commissary location in Ellington at 420 Somers Road.
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Look for them to open this fall!

A new restaurant is coming soon to Milford!

Anchor Social Milford is coming soon to the former Village Bistro Restaurant at 141 Merwin Avenue in Milford!

The restaurant will transform the building into a Seaside-inspired architecture. Watch the transformation of the building on their social media page (tagged above) as work gets underway!
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They are now hiring for a head chef, you can apply here: https://www.simplyhired.com/.../jUAncX...

A new cafe has opened in Norwalk!

Maama Cafe is NOW OPEN at 132B Washington Street in South Norwalk, CT. The new European-inspired coffee house and eatery is the second restaurant for owners Andrea and Akaki.

The pair owns Cheese & Bread, an authentic Georgian restaurant at 68 Washington Street. Cheese & Bread was the first Georgian restaurant in CT when it opened in June 2024.

Maama Cafe features espresso and cappuccino beverages using Esse Cafe coffee beans. The menu of the cafe features cakes, pastries, dessets, yogurt parfaits, paninis, sandwiches, salads, and more.

Find them at 132B Washington Street in South Norwalk
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The cafe is open daily from 7am-8pm

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop has set the opening date for their first CT location in Enfield with plans for 2 more locations in Windsor & Hamden! The popular sandwich shop is known for its award-winning cheesesteaks, turkey subs, and famous Bobbie® sandwich.

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop will open April 25 at 190 Elm Street, inside the newly renovated Noble Gas station. The restaurant is owned and operated by local husband-and-wife team James and Nicole Drazdowsky.

James, a longtime franchise owner, saw an opportunity to bring something new to Enfield by offering hand-crafted sandwiches made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will be the first of three Capriotti’s locations planned for the area, with additional openings coming to Windsor and Hamden.

The Windsor location will be located at 2200 Day Hill Road, inside the new Noble Gas Station; while the Hamden location will be located at 3311 Whitney Avenue, also inside the Noble Gas Station.

The partnership with Noble Gas is part of a larger effort to elevate the convenience store and fueling experience in Connecticut by combining clean, modern amenities with premium food options like Capriotti’s.
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Grand Opening festivities will include a ribbon cutting with the Enfield Chamber of Commerce, giveaways, and special deals for guests. Find a menu on their website: https://capriottis.com/

Ballo Italian at Mohegan Sun will be undergoing a transformation. The 'Ballo Italian' concept will be going away; and will be replaced with The Farm Italy!

The Farm Italy is another concept from John Tunney. The restaurant will serve Italy's finest flavors - from fresh pastas to expertly prepared entrees. The restaurant will also be host to an elevated bar programs with new craft cocktails, mocktails, and an extensive wine list. Find their menu here: https://www.thefarmitaly.com/mohegansun

Ballo Italian will close on May 5th and The Farm Italy will open in its place on approximately Memorial Day weekend. The interior will undergo a slight refresh; keeping the striking architecture while adding a warm new ambiance and menu.

The Farm Italy is an award winning restaurant, listed as a Top 100 Restaurant by OpenTable. The restaurant is part of the John Tunney's group including The Shed and Besito. The Farm Table has one existing location in Huntington, NY with new locations coming to Westbury, NY and Mohegan Sun.
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This is the latest addition/improvement to Mohegan Sun in recent years. Other additions include Sift Bake Shop (check out our post!), Beauty & Essex, and The Shed Restaurant.

Two developments are eyed for Stonington!

Demolition work is underway at the former Regal Cinemas building (corner of Liberty Street & Voluntown Road) in the Pawcatuck area of Stonington. The building will be replaced with Stonington Village, a 232 unit development; along with 30,000 square feet of new retail space and new pickleball courts,. Plans include studio and one-to-three bedroom apartments with 20% designated for middle income renters. 77 units are expected to be completed in the next 12-16 months. The development would include a clubhouse with swimming pool and outdoor walking trails.

A new development is in the planning phases at the intersection of I-95 and Route 2 in Stonington. According to the leasing flyer, the development by Breslin Realty would include hundreds of apartments, 64 townhomes, retail spaces, medical buildings, and more. A few tenants floated in the plans include Starbucks and Aldi Supermarket. The project appears to have been in the works for awhile with diccussion dating back to 2013. An exact timeline for approval and construction was not immediately available.

Poppop’s Coffee Shop will celebrate their grand opening this weekend! The grand opening celebration will take place this Saturday & Sunday from 9am-3pm.

The new coffee shop is located at 1355 Middletown Avenue Unit 1B in Northford. The coffee shop is located in a new building recently constructed.

The coffee shop will sell Espresso, Brewed Coffee, Speciality Drinks, Chai, Tea, Treats, & More! This month's drink specials include Cotton Tail Cream, Fool's Gold, Irish Cream, Spiced Cookie, and Choco-Coco-Mel Delight. Check out their full menu here:
https://www.poppopscoffeeshop.com/menus
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The owner Brandon's passion for crafting specialty coffee drinks ignited during the pandemic. As he and his wife sheltered at home, their morning coffee routine grew stale, and they longed for their local coffee shop experiences. This sparked Brandon's experimentation with homemade syrups, whipped creams, and handcrafted beverages. He meticulously perfected each creation, transforming a simple drink into a delightful experience. Encouraged by rave reviews from family & friends, Brandon began dreaming of opening his own coffee shop. However, he lacked a clear vision and a name—until the passing of his beloved grandfather, Roy Hinkelman, affectionately known as "Poppop," in June 2024. 

The City of Hartford is alive with construction and business news. Check out the following updates about a number of projects and businesses. 

-Carbone's Ristorante's buildout at the old Apple Cinemas on Front Street is well underway. Demolition work is nearing completion and construction should be ramping up on their fit-out. Read our full post here: https://www.theconnecticutscoop.com/all-ct-posts/hartford-scoop-carbones-ristorante-starts-taking-shape

-The construction on the second phase of North Crossing near Dunkin Stadium is well underway. This phase of development will see the addition of a new parking garage, hundred of new apartments, and additional retail space. Framing is underway on the apartments and construction on the parking garage is taking shape. The development resembles phase 1, known as The Pennant. Find more information on the existing development here: ​www.northcrossinghartford.com/

-The famed Arch Street Tavern has been put up for sale by the longtime owner. The tavern is located at 85 Arch Street in Hartford. The plan is to retain the dedicated and hard working staff, uphold the unique character of the establishment, and continue offering the successful music and entertainment that patrons have come to love. The asking price is $1,099,000 (include real estate); ​https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/83-85-Arch-St-Hartford-CT/35110331/. The business is still very much open!

-Triple Three Peruvian Restaurant has been put up for sale! The Peruvian restaurant is located at 89 Arch Street in Hartford. The restaurant is being listed as a 'turn-key' business with beutifully renovated, elegant and modern restaurant with all new bar kitchen equipment, liquor license, sound and lighting systems; including 75 seats over 3,000 square feet. The asking price is $185,000; Find the listing here: https://www.corcoran.com/listing/for-sale/89-arch-st-street-hartford-ct-06103/92725728/regionId/122. The business is still very much open!

-Negotiations are underway to bring a new hotel to Downtown Hartford; replacing a long vacant space at Constitution Plaza. The City has been approached to assist in negotiations between a developer and the owner of the long-vacant site of the Broadcast House at Constitution Plaza. The site has been subject to repeated proposals for developments over the years including an office building, park, parking lot, apartments, and more; none of which have came to fruition. Hopefully this one will! Stay tuned!

-A new apartment building is in the works near Bushnell Park. Under the project, a parking lot behind 525 Main Street would be developed into a new 4-story building building with 58 spaces. The project is being developed by Spectre Construction, a major residential landlord in Downtown Hartford.

-Two former state offices buildings are under construction with plans to convert them into more than 100 apartments. The properties at located at 18-20 and 30 Trinity Street, overlooking the Capitol building and Bushnell Park. The properties were sold to developer Pennrose in January with plans to debut the new apartments in early 2027. Work is now underway.

-30 Laurel Street, former United Way Headquarters, is slated to be converted into 47 upscale rental units. Spectre Construction purchased the property in 2024, just outside of Hartford's urban center. The five story building was constructed in 1897, renovated in the 1930s.

-275 Pearl Street, work continues on the conversion of the former fire station into 39 rental units; comprised of 28 studios and 11 one bedroom units. The project includes a 17-car parking garage for resident's use. The project is located in Downtown Hartford. 

Saults Eclectic Cuisine at Dudleytown Brewing Company is in their soft opening phase! The new eatery is located within Dudleytown Brewing Company in Windsor.

The new restaurant serves a wide variety of cuisines including wood-fired pizza, burgers, pastas, bao, tacos, and much more. Gluten Free and Dairy Free version of most dishes are available to customers with those restrictions. The restaurant is serving up their delicious food alongside some amazing beers, wines, and cocktails from Dudleytown!

I had the opportunity to join Saults during their Friends & Family Day on Tuesday, 04/08. The food was amazing! I tried a cheese pizza and a margherita pizza; paired with a 'Enter The Wormhole' apple cider seltzer. It was a great experience including the food, atmosphere, and friendly & attentive staff.

Find them at 1001 Day Hill Road in Windsor, located inside Dudleytown Brewing. Reservations are required this week, you can make them here: https://www.opentable.com/r/saults-at-dudleytown-windsor
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The new restaurant will be open:
Tuesday-Thursday 4:00pm–10:00pm
Friday-Saturday 12:00pm–11:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm–8:00pm

Coffee is back in the center court!

New York City-based Caffè Aronne has opened a new coffee shop in the center court of Westfarms, replacing the recently relocated Starbucks.

The coffee shop serves traditional espresso-based beverages, teas, baked goods, chai, and more.

This is Caffe Aronne’s first location in Connecticut. They have 2 shops in NYC including West Village and Upper Side, as well as a franchised location in Wisconsin. Starbucks at Westfarms recently moved into the Macy’s Woman-Kids-Home store.
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Read more about this coffee shop from We-Ha.com here: https://we-ha.com/west-hartford-business-buzz-april-7-2025/

Nathan's Famous & Arthur Treachers has opened at Stamford Town Center in Stamford!

The nostalgic-favorite has opened their doors in the food court of the Stamford Town Center mall, replacing Kai Manam. They serve hot dogs, corn dogs, fish & chips, fries, slushies, burgers, shakes, chicken, cheesesteak, and much more.

The newest location of the hot dog eatery is owned by Han Rojas and Zaida Miranda. The couple also own the Nathan's Famous & Arthur Treachers at Trumbull Mall that opened last year.
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Find them at the food court at Stamford Town Center!