Three food chains proposed for joint location at closed CT restaurant

A trio of businesses are in the works for a potential move into a busy retail corridor on Route 6 in Bristol.

A proposal to bring Cold Stone Creamery, Planet Smoothie and Wetzel’s Pretzels under one roof at 838 Farmington Ave. in Bristol was presented last month to the Bristol Planning Commission.

The plan was filed by business owner Anand Jaiswal in June in the space previously held by Poke’s Works Mexican Grill.

“The project includes interior tenant fit-out, exterior facade improvements, utility coordination, accessibility compliance improvements, signage improvements and associated site work,” according to the application. “The proposed use is consistent with the existing commercial character of the Farmington Avenue corridor and is intended to enhance the property through investment in modern restaurant and retail improvements.”

Jaiswal initially proposed an 800-square-foot expansion to the existing commercial building but has since said he plans “to move forward with utilizing the existing building footprint rather than pursuing the expansion.” The building is on a 15,000-square-foot lot and is currently 1,728 square feet.

According to the proposal, Jaiswal is also looking into adding outdoor seating in the front-left area of the building.

The application noted that the three chains will operate as one business. “The businesses will share management, employees, customer seating and common service areas, but will maintain separate food preparation stations,” the plan says.

“The businesses complement one another by offering desserts, snacks and smoothies throughout the day, creating a convenient destination for families and visitors,” according to the proposal.

Proposed hours would be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. About 15 to 18 individuals are expected to be employed by the business.

There are currently seven Cold Stone Creamery locations in Connecticut in Danbury, Fairfield, Orange, Meriden, Clinton, Waterford and South Windsor. Wetzel’s Pretzels has one other Connecticut location at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester, and Bristol would be the first Connecticut location for Planet Smoothie.

There was no time frame listed in the paperwork of when work would begin at the location and eventually open to the public. Hulian Li, the current owner of 838 Farmington Ave., said “it’s just a proposal right now.”

“Nothing has happened yet because they haven’t approved the permits for construction,” Li said. “I’m confident the owner will move in. We just need more time.

“We are hoping for approval very soon,” he added.

Li said he has owned the building for several years and that Poke’s Works Mexican Grill closed about six months ago. He added that once all of the permits and approvals are in place, it would be about six months before the new business would open.