A new coffee shop and cocktail bar is coming soon to Chester!
Three Fates is coming soon to 1 North Main Street in Downtown Chester! The new cafe will be owned by Tiffany Nevers, opening in the former Cummings & Good Design building. Three Fates is expect to open this spring. The new cafe will feature a curated menu of fresh juices, smoothies, coffees like lattes & cappuccinos, and much more. You'll also find a crafted menu of cocktails and wines. All flavoring and products will be scratch-made in-house or purchased from a local purveyor. The new cafe will feature light bites including artisanal pastries, charcuterie boards, craft cheese plates, and other small plates that pair well with their curated beverage menus. Look for them to open this spring!
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Goldfish Swim School will open at least 3 new Connecticut locations in 2026 including new locations in Orange, Danbury, and Farmington/Newington!
-Goldfish Swim School is coming soon to 13-15 Backus Avenue in Danbury (the former Eastern Mountain Sports space) at Danbury Square Shopping Center. The new swim school will occupy 9,827 square feet of space next to David's Bridal. -The swim school is coming soon to 538 Boston Post Road in Orange; a former liquor store in the Raymour & Flanigan Plaza. the new swim school will occupy more than 7,000 square feet of space. Work is underway on the new school. -Goldfish Swim School is coming soon to 1599 Southeast Road in Farmington; though that portion of the building is located in Newington. The swim school will replace a portion of the current Barnes & Noble store with Hannoush Jewelers taking over another portion. Barnes & Noble plans to relocate to a new location nearby in 2026. Goldfish provides swimming lessons for most ages; from babies to professional swim teams. Learn more about their programs here: https://goldfishswimschool.com/ The chain currently has locations in Manchester, Hamden, Stamford, Norwalk, and Cromwell. 
Burlington will be renovating and downsizing their East Hartford location!
The close-out retailer recently filed for building permits to downsize their location at 940 Silver Lane in East Hartford; part of Charter Oak Mall shopping center. The newly imagined store will receive a new storefront to match new prototype stores (like Manchester.) The store will receive an in-depth makeover inside while shrinking from over 80,000 square feet to only about 40,000 square feet. For comparison, the newer Manchester store is only 26,000 square feet. Look for the makeover to be complete in 2026. Burlington has been downsizing their legacy stores in recent years. Their locations in Bloomfield shrunk; while their stores in Waterbury and Enfield relocated to smaller spaces nearby. New Burlington stores have also opened in East Haven, North Haven, and Manchester. 
Torrid will be closing its location at Meriden Mall!
The women’s clothing store will be permanently closing their doors on January 4th, 2026 according to staff members at the store. Torrid is located on the mall’s firsy level, near the former Sears. The store caters to sizes 10-30, carrying fashion-forward clothing at affordable prices. The closest Torrid store will now be in West Hartford at Westfarms. The chain has other Connecticut locations in Manchester and Waterford. Meriden Mall is now down to just a handful of tenants including Total Wireless, Boscovs, Club Pickleball, TJ Maxx, Meriden Family Dental, Pretzelmaker (2), Bye Stress, AT&T, Shoe Dept Encore, Finish Line, Diva Nail Spa, Kay Jewelers, T-Mobile, Custom Print, Piercing Pagoda, and a few locally operated kiosks. A few new additions are opening soon including Santos Kitchen, Adventure Palace, The Half Courts, and more.
Sweatfluence is coming to West Hartford! The new studio is coming soon to West Hartford; though the exact location has not been announced. Sweatfluence is a hot-yoga studio offering infrared heat, steam, and community-driven movement. Sweatfluence currently has two locations with the goal of opening many more through frachising. They currently have locations in Old Saybrook and New Haven. The new WeHa location aims to open in summer of 2026 according to Sweatfluence’s press team. Where do you think they’ll be located in town? Comment below! 
A new fish fry restaurant is coming soon to East Hartford!
Johnson Fish Fry is coming soon to 300 Silver Lane in East Hartford, the long vacant Pizza Hut restaurant. Construction recently began to convert and renovate the space for the new restaurant. They are expected to serve various types of fried fish and sides; with a menu still being developed by the owner. The new restaurant plans to open sometime next year. The building was sold in July to Parm EH LLC for $425,000 according to town records. The new restaurant appears to be related to Johnson Fish Market in Hartford. Both business’s LLC link to the same home address in South Windsor. Stay tuned for more information on their opening! Paris Baguette is NOW OPEN in West Hartford! Take a peek inside the new bakery! They are located at 1459 New Britain Avenue in West Hartford, part of Corbin’s Corner. This is Paris Baguette’s first CT location with another coming soon in Cheshire. They serve croissants, donuts, cakes, pastries, coffees, and so much more! Paris Baguette is a South Korean-based chain of bakery cafes with over 200 locations in the United States and 3,600 locations around the globe. They have plans to expand to 1,000 location in North America by 2030. 
Twin Peaks Restaurant is planning to open 3 new locations in Connecticut; marking the brand's first entry into New England market. The Texas-based sports-lodge chain will bring three locations to Connecticut in 'key markets', eyeing New Haven, Hartford, Danbury/Norwalk/Bridgeport, and Waterbury as available opportunties in the state. The chain is known for their scratch-made menu including wings, BBQ, burgers, flatbreads, tacos, appetizers, and much more. They are also known for their 29-degree beer, served in an icy mug! The brand is similar to Hooters with a key feature being scantily-clothed wait staff, called 'Twin Peaks Girls.' Each locations features a heavily-themed woodlands/mountain decor; with dozens of TVs throughout the space playing all sports games. The new franchisees for the first three CT locations are Deepak Verma and Kam Singh of New London Hospitality.  A new Yemeni coffee shop has opened in New Haven! Arwa Coffee is NOW OPEN at 335 Orange Street in New Haven; part of The Audubon development. This is the first CT location for the growing chain. The new coffee shop brings authentic and rich traditional Yemeni coffee to New Haven; where culture meets coffee. On their menu you’ll find various traditional drinks including Lattes, drip coffees, Capaccinos, pour-overs, refreshers, and others. You’ll also find Jubani, Qishr, Adeni Tea, Sanaani Coffee, and other Yemeni specialty drinks. Find their menu here: https://arwacoffee.com/menu/ Find them at 335 Orange Street in New Haven! They are open daily from 8am to 7pm TJ Maxx has set their tentative opening date in Cheshire! The new off-price clothing chain will open on March 12th in The Shops at Stone Bridge! The new store is located at 1991 Highland Avenue in Cheshire. The opening will mark the 25th TJ Maxx store in Connecticut. It has not been formally announced whether the opening will have any effect on the nearby Meriden location. TJ Maxx will be the 9th store opening at the new development including Choice Pet Supply, Barnes & Noble, Saybrook Home, Chipotle, Shake Shack, Harvey & Lewis Opticians, Blender Bar, & Club Pilates. Whole Foods is planning to open in the first quarter of 2026. Stay tuned for more information on other store openings in this complex! 
First look at the newest addition to the Meriden Mall! Adventure Palace is opening soon at 470 Lewis Avenue in Meriden; in the former Best Buy at Meriden Mall. The new 30,400 square foot entertainmnet complex features bounce houses, ball-pits, arcade fames, playscapes, party rooms, and much more. Adventure Palace is designed for families; providing a safe, exciting, and active play space for children up to 12 years old. Look for them to open soon! The owner of the new Adventure Palace also owns Kiddo Land, a similar (but smaller) concept at Stamford Town Center. Kiddo Land also features playscapes, games, and more. The new entertainment center is just one of a few new additions planned for Meriden Mall. The Half Courts (basketball training) is coming soon to the former Rainbow space and Santo's Kitchen is opening soon in the food court. In our latest ‘Places to Visit this Christmas Season’ series entry, we visited Main Street in Middletown, CT! Middletown is a small city located along the Connecticut River in Middlesex County. Main Street has been decorated with beautiful white lights; while local shops have created amazing window dispays for the holiday season! Make sure you check out some of the local shops for your last-minute Christmas shopping including Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, Amato's Toy and Hobby, A Pocketful of Posies, Adelbrook Barkery, Adelbooks & More, The Man Cave & The She Shed Too, cinder + salt, and many others. Try some of their great restaurants including Sicily Coal Fired Pizza, Amici, Perk on Main, Ion Vegan Restaurant, Esca, Acme Burger, and many others! Grab some dessert at Feshafeesh, Nora Cupcakes, Tschudin Chocolates & Confections, or the countless other delicious options. Stop by this holiday season and get your last minute Christmas gifts!
Two Trees Inn at Foxwoods Resort Casino will be reopening its doors this spring!
The hotel is located at 240 Indiantown Road in Ledyard, in the shadow of Foxwoods Resort Casino. The hotel has sat vacant since it closed its doors during the Covid-19 shutdowns. Two Trees Inn is a budget-friendly alternative to staying inside the casino. The hotel is located next to the resort with a complimentary shuttle service. The Inn features 280 guest rooms, an indoor pool, fitness center, walking trails, and more. The hotel will be managed by the Waterford Hotel Group once it reopens this spring. Read the announcement on their website here: https://www.twotreesinn.com/ Two Trees Inn is just the latest addition coming to the resort casino. The Bedford by Martha Stewart will be opening their doors this spring and Sally's Apizza will open a new flagship location in the current location of California Pizza Kitchen. 
Photo Credit: Paris Baguette
Paris Baguette will open their new West Hartford location on December 19th!
The bakery will be located at 1479 New Britain Avenue in West Hartford, part of Corbin's Corner. This will be the chain's first CT location with another coming soon in Cheshire. A corporate representative confirmed the planned opening date for the WeHa location. The bakery chain sells fresh-baked pastries, artisanal breads, cakes, donuts, savory pastries, salads, sandwiches, wraps, coffees including espresso beverages, frappes, smoothies, and much more! Check out their full menu here: https://parisbaguette.com/menu Paris Baguette is a South Korean-based chain of bakery cafes with over 200 locations in the United States and 3,600 locations around the globe. They have plans to expand to 1,000 location in North America by 2030. 
Malloves Jewelers on Main in Middletown has new owners!
The jewelry store announced plans to close earlier this fall as longtime owner Marc Levin retires; but the store will reopen under new ownership in 2026! The store's final day under Marc Levin's ownership will be December 24th, so stop in for some amazing deals! The store will reopen in January under the ownership of Sammy Hannoush, of the Hannoush Jewelers family! He is dedicated to maintaining the same great service and quality that Malloves Jewelers is known for. Malloves has been serving the Middletown community since 1928; and the name will continue on for many years to come under the ownership of Sammy Hannoush. Malloves Jewelers is located at 404 Main Street in Middletown. The Mallove's stores Waterford and Mystic are not affected by the sale; they are under different ownership. A new restaurant has opened on Main Street in New Milford! Zaza's On Main has officially opened their doors at 7 Main Street in New Milford! The restaurant opened on December 13th, welcoming hungry customers to their warm atmosphere. The new restaurant brings global flavors, bold cocktails, and vibrant energy into the heart of New Milford. Get ready for lively brunches, intimate dinners, and unforgettable nights! Look for their live music events as they create a place to Sit, Sip, and Savor. The menu features salads, appetizers, handhelds (burgers/sandwiches), Pizzettas (12" pizzas), steaks, pastas, seafood, and much more! Make sure you try their Lobster Ravioli, Paella for Two, The Clam Pizzetta, or many other amazing dishes. Find their full menu here: https://www.zazasonmain.com/menus You can make a reservation on their website here: https://www.zazasonmain.com Find them at 7 Main Street in New Milford! They are open: Sunday through Thursday 12:00pm-10:00pm Friday & Saturday 12:00pm-12:00am 
In our latest ‘Places to Visit this Christmas Season’ series entry, we visited Chester, CT! Chester is a small town in Middlsex County, slightly north of Old Saybrook. This town is completely decked out in Christmas decor! This small town is home to many small business including Montgomery and Taggert Bookshop, The Wayfinder Society, The Little Shop, and many more. Find cute curiosities to give as stocking stuffers! Shop in for a meal at their amazing selection of eateries including River Tavern, Grano Italian Eatery, The Villager, Pattaconk1850 BAR & GRILL and many others. Stop in for a beer at Little House Brewing Company or a cone at Honeycone Cream Co. Stop in and spend some time in the Hallmark-esque Christmas village of Chester, CT! A new coffee shop has opened in Middletown!
MOTW Coffee & Pastries is NOW OPEN at 425 Main Street in Middletown, the former Saladbar restaurant next to Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore. The coffee shop features specialty espresso coffee including lattes, cappuccino, Americano, Cortado; as well as Matcha and Hot Teas. The cafe serves empanadas including chicken, beef, spinach, and samosa fillings. The menu also includes milk-cakes, muffins, cookies, cakes, and more. MOTW stands for 'Muslims Of The World', the menu has a Middle Eastern influence including Yemeni Chai, Egyptian Teas, Jasmine Pearls, Baklava, Burma dessert, Halal Empanadas, and other offerings. The family-owned chain currently has 13 locations. They have a lone CT location at 296 Crown Street in New Haven that opened in 2024 and another coming soon in New Britain at The Highrailer. 
A new Jamaican restaurant is coming soon to Windsor!
Mocho Bay is coming soon to 540 Windsor Avenue in Windsor; part of Windsor Shops Shopping Plaza. The restaurant will be an upscale sit-down eatery with a liquor license. The restaurant was previously planned to open in East Hartford as a fast-casual eatery; but has now pivoted to a sit-down model with a new location in Windsor. The restaurant will be owned by Michelle Taylor. Taylor previously owned and operated Michelle's Kitchen in East Hartford and Secret's Bistro in Manchester & Hartford. The name of the new restaurant is a mix of the owner's hometown Mocho and her husband's hometown Mobay. Mocho Bay will join other recent additions to the Windsor dining scene including Don's Kitchen, Mr.Tso, Moneta Moments Bakery (new storefront), Station 1633, Tulsi , and soon-to-open The BOP Coffee Roastery! 
Photo Credit: True Commercial Real Estate
A new ShopRite store is coming to Danbury!
ShopRite will open a second Danbury store at 72 Newtown Road, the former Stop & Shop store at Nutmeg Square Shopping Center. The mayor of Danbury made the announcement yesterday. Cingari Family Markets will own the new store. The Cingari’s own 10 ShopRite grocery stores and 2 Grade A Markets; including the other Danbury ShopRite location. They are expected to invest $20 million to renovate and open the new store. The new store will be 54,000 square feet. Stop & Shop previously operated a store in the space until October 2024 when it closed along with dozens of other locations. Ciao Cafe, an Italian-American eatery, is NOW OPEN in Rocky Hill! Ciao Cafe opened today at 825 Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill, the former Michel Angelo’s space. Stop by today for a special visit from Vito Spatafore from The Sopranos who is signing cookbooks and taking photos! The new restaurant features New York style pizza & slices, an espresso bar, Italian-style grinders, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, dirty sodas, desserts, and much more! They serve breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. Don’t miss their selection of Italian imports as well! The interior has received an intensive makeover; with a dining area and lounge for customer to enjoy their food. The bar has been replaced with ‘The Office’ a space for people to bring their laptop and work while enjoying their food. The new restaurant is owned by Rocky Hill residents Marina & Vincent Carone. The Carones are no stranger to Rocky Hill business; Vincent was previously involved in Sweets by Jenna, Cousins Barbershop, Tavern on 3, and others. Find them at 825 Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill or online at https://ciaocafect.com Their hours are: Monday through Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8am–2pm A new coffee shop is coming soon to Somers! Roasted Beanery is coming to Somers Crossing, 95 South Road in Somers. The new cafe will open next to Board & Brush, in the plaza home to Geissler’s. 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. Construction is underway with furniture and equipment being installed. Look for them to open very soon! A new comic book and collectible store is opening soon in Naugatuck!
Salem Comics & Collectibles is coming soon to 78 Church Street in Naugatuck! The new store plans to open their doors on Friday, December 19th. The store will open with comic books including collectible editions, newer releases, and much more. Salem Comics & Collectibles plans to add trading card game supplies to their store this spring as well. The shop will be owned by brother Daeden & Dillon Beck according to state records. Look for them to open on December 19th!  Crumbl Cookies is planning a new location in Meriden! The national cookie chain has leased the current GameStop space at Townline Square Shopping Center at 533 South Broad Street in Meriden! The shop will occupy 1,764 square feet according to a lease plan released by TrueCRE. No timeline has been announced for the cookie chain's construction or opening. The future of GameStop has not been announced; whether they will relocate or close entirely. The Meriden shop will mark the 11th Connecticut location including in Manchester, West Hartford, Avon, Waterbury, North Haven, Milford, Shelton, Danbury, Fairfield, and Stamford. The Townline Square Shopping Center has seen numerous opening in the past years including Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, Bubbakoo's Burritos, Carter's, and others.  See the full lease plan here: https://truecre.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/true_Meriden-CT_533-South-Broad-Street-7.pdf
A new tavern has opened in Middletown! Sol House Tavern is NOW OPEN at 670 Newfield Street in Middletown; replacing Relish 670 Bar & Cookhouse. The restaurant recently opened their doors, bringing tavern vibes to Middletown. The new tavern features salads, pastas, parm crusted cod, hanger steaks, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and some craveworthy appetizers make for sharing! Try their bacon bourbon mussels, chicken wings, buffalo califlower, calamari, and many others. Their cuisine is described as Bold Bites-American Food with a twist. Customers we talked to while on-site raved about the food, saying they came stopped in for lunch and decided to come back for dinner! Stop in and try them out! They are still waiting for their liquor license to be approved, but they have a refreshing mocktail menu in the meantime! Find them at 670 Newfield Street in Middletown and online at https://solhousetavern.com/ They are open: Monday-Thursday 11:30am-9:00pm Friday & Saturday 11:30am-9:30pm Sunday 11:30am-8:00pm  |
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