A new breakfast & lunch spot is coming to Thomaston!

J's Fresh Bagels (J'sfresh Bagels) is coming soon to Thomaston! The new bagelry will be located at 131 Main Street. They are expected to open very soon with final preparations now underway.

The new eatery will serve breakfast & lunch including egg sandwiches, a variety of bagels & spreads, salads, lunch sandwiches, coffees, and much more! They will also offer catering services for meetings & events with delivery available.

The new bagel shop will be owned by area-residents Jonathan Gonzalez and July Chacon according to State business filings.
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Make sure to follow their social media J'sfresh Bagels for more updates on their opening!

A new barbecue restaurant is coming to an iconic site!

A new BBQ concept from the owners of Hindsight BBQ and Cowboy Butter BBQ will be opening in the space of Charcoal Chef at 670 Main Street in Woodbury!

Owner Jeff Schmidt will bring a full service BBQ joint to the iconic building. The new restaurant doesn’t have a name yet, but will bring the same quality to the place as their other eateries.

Charcoal Chef closed last year after nearly 70 years of business in Woodbury due to the owner’s retirement. The building officially sold on March 18th to Jeff Schmidt.
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Renovations will begin in April. Stay tuned for more details on their opening!

A new eatery is coming soon to Winsted!

Skippers is planning to open at 898 Main Street in Winsted, the former Red Rooster Saloon space. The seasonal roadside outdoor eatery would serve a diverse menu featuring locally sourced & fresh ingredients.

The menu will include burgers, chicken sandwiches, French dip and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, hand-cut potatoes, and onion rings fried in beef tallow, along with ice cream and frozen desserts. The menu will eventually expand to include premium items such as fried whole-belly clams, salmon, and grilled prime steaks.

Guests will enjoy their meals outdoors at covered tables set on beautifully landscaped grounds. A small performance stage is planned for the north side of the property to host live music on weekends. The interior of the building will function exclusively as the kitchen, no indoor dining is being included in this project according to a PZC application submitted late last year.

Skipper’s will operate seasonally, opening in early spring each year beginning in 2026 and closing in the fall, weather permitting. Proposed hours of operation are Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Year-round, Skipper’s will offer both on-site and off-site catering according to a PZC application submitted late last year.
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Stay tuned for more details on their opening! Make sure to follow them at Skippers Winsted for more updates as well!

Mexican cuisine has a new home in Thomaston!

Señor Panchos is relocating their longtime Mexican eatery, though they aren't going far. The restaurant is moving next door to 370 Watertown Road in Thomaston. They will soft open in the new location on Saturday, March 21st.

The move combines two concepts under one roof. Esme's and Ruby's Restaurant and Senor Pancho's will operate in the building, bringing together your favorite breakfast options with the Senor Panchos' menu!

Here's how it will work:
-Esme’s & Ruby’s will serve breakfast upstairs until lunch
-After lunch, Señor Pancho’s will take over for the rest of the day
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Senor Pancho's old building at 360 Watertown Road is now up for sale for $1.1 million. Find the listing here: https://www.raveis.com/.../360-watertown-road-thomaston...

7 Brew is eyeing a new location in New Milford! The drive-thru coffee shop wants to take over roughly 965 square feet of space in the former Webster Bank building at 169 Danbury Road in New Milford. The new 7 Brew would feature their typical dual drive-thru set up with room for 17 cars to queue. 

A 1,660 square foot space will be create for another future tenant in the building. The other tenant has not yet been identified. Plans are still subject to approvals by the town's Zoning Commission and building department. 

The shop serves a number of beverages including 'The 7 Originals', coffee flavors like blondie, brunette, smooth 7, white chocolate mocha, cinnamon roll, german chocolate, and sweet & salty. The shop also features 7 Energy (an iced energy drink with numerous flavors), smoothies, milkshakes, teas, lemonades, 7 Fizz (sparkling water with any flavor), cold brew, and classic espresso and coffee drinks.

7 Brew now has Connecticut locations in Wallingford, Vernon, Orange, & Bridgeport. They have new locations coming soon in North Haven and New Haven!

The Jameson Pub in Watertown has closed its doors.

The pub closed its doors at the end of business on Saturday according to a statement from owner Robert Perri. Perri also owns Grand Street Tavern in Waterbury which remains open.

The bar was located at 675 Main Street in Watertown. The Jameson Pub was known for their live music and events. Creating a lively atmosphere in the downtown area of Watertown. The space has been home to numerous music-based cafes over the years including The Red Door, Ouzo Blues, then The Red Door again.
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The statement from owner Robert Perri reads: "I guess I’ll address the elephant in the room. We closed The Jameson Pub Saturday night. For the last 4 years we’ve struggle to keep the place open. Nothing is cheap and live music is expensive af. I’m not sure what we are going to be doing with the bar. I’m considering my options. Thanks to all the bands that became friends and family. To our staff thank you for your dedication. This isn’t a pity party this is a business decision."