Announcements of restaurant openings and closings dominate this week’s round-up of retail activity in Connecticut;
Sakura Japan, a fast casual Japanese eatery, recently opened at its new location in the New London Shopping Center, according to city health officials. The restaurant left its spot in the former Crystal Mall earlier this year as defense contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat began its conversion of the Waterford retail center into office space.
Sakura Japan’s new address is 256 South Frontage Road in New London.
Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, the New Haven-based chain is set to open a new location in Berlin. It will be located next to Back Nine Golf, and both are under construction now at 384-400 Demming Road, according to Emmet Moore, a principal in Willoughby’s.
Stephen Miskell, the developer and owner of the 24-hour indoor golf simulator, is Moore’s business partner in this coffee shop, according to Moore. Miskell, who will operate the Berlin Willougby’s, sees a synergy between the two businesses. He said he plans to offer gym-style memberships at Back Nine and give golfers cross-membership perks at Willoughby’s.
“We’ll do a special membership for them where they get free coffee and some pastries and they can play some golf,” Miskell said.
Miskell said he plans to open the Willoughby’s location near the beginning of November and hopes to have the simulator up and running by the end of October.
Krave Noir Coffee Bar recently opened its doors at 1269 Main St in Bridgeport. Described as “a modern Downtown Bridgeport destination,” the space serves specialty coffee, matcha, light bites and desserts, wine, martinis and craft cocktails in a “stylish” space, according to the news release.
A pair of restaurants in New Haven County restaurants are closing their doors.
“I was not born in New Haven, but New Haven adopted me, so I am open to any place in New Haven,” owner Adil Chokairy said. He started his business as a crepe cart in 2014 and opened the shop at 24 Whitney Ave. in 2015.
“As soon as something opens up, I will take it,” he said about finding a new location.
Crêpes Choupette recently closed its West Hartford location at 993 Farmington Ave., CT Insider previously reported, while the Darien creperie remains open. He had also opened one in Westport, but that closed as well. Chokairy said the last day for the New Haven location will be Sept. 27.
Ownership of Meet Me Here Restaurant and Bar on Middlebury Road announced in a social media post this week that the business would close its doors on Dec. 31.
“This restaurant has been such a huge part of my life, and I truly cannot thank everyone enough for all the support, friendship, memories and laughs we have shared over the years. I have met so many wonderful people along the way, and I will always be grateful for each and every one of you,” reads the Instagram post. “We still have a few months together, so please come see us, enjoy your favorite foods made by Ledi and Jose, your favorite drinks crafted by Kristen, and your great service from Sherrie, Gary, Kristen and Jen. Help us make these last months extra special.”
According to the post, the choice to close was a “very difficult decision, but one I feel is the right time for me.”
Clothing discounter Ross Dress For Less will add a pair of Connecticut locations by the end of this year.
The new stores will open in Hamden and Waterbury. The Hamden store will open on Oct. 10 next to fellow discounter Burlington in a space formerly occupied by Joann Fabrics.
The Waterbury store will open in a 30,000-square-foot space in the Waterbury Shopping Center that is currently occupied by U.S Furniture and Mattress. That retailer will relocate into a 21,000-square-foot space that had been occupied by Modell’s Sporting Goods until 2020.
Dining and Cooking