CT BUSINESSES
From Local Restaurants to Bookstores, These Connecticut Businesses Have Permanently Closed as a Result of COVID-19
Struck by the coronavirus pandemic and shuttered for safety, thousands of Connecticut businesses have faced low customer turnouts and devastating financial losses since March.
The state economy shrank by nearly one-third after a spring and summer of strict lockdown measures, and many fear more business closures as the cooling weather hammers outdoor dining and social distancing. Some researchers forecast that Connecticut’s economy might not recover until the next decade.
Though both the federal government and Gov. Ned Lamont have provided emergency funds to local businesses, many have not made it. From restaurants to hotels, these are just some of the Hartford-area businesses permanently wiped as a result of COVID-19.
Dish Bar & Grill
Dish Manager Lynne Russell and Dish server Emily Wojdyla sit in the restaurant's dining area normally occupied with restaurant-goers. (Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant)
Dish Bar & Grill in Hartford touted an upscale bar and modern twists on comfort food. Opened in 2007, it depended largely on customers from big Connecticut employers like Aetna and The Hartford. With these workers staying home, bar business impossible and no timetable for a return, Dish closed in August. Dish Restaurant Group’s other restaurants, Tavern at Keney Park and Dish n' Dat in Canton, are still open, as is Sorella, which is across the street from Dish’s old home on Hartford’s Main Street.
Firebox Restaurant
HARTFORD, CT - 05.02.2019 - SUMMER COCKTAILS - Mixologist Ben Moseley creates a summer cocktail -- The Smoky Paloma -- (said to be the most popular cocktail in Mexico) at Firebox Restaurant. PATRICK RAYCRAFT | praycraft@courant.com (Patrick Raycraft/Hartford Magazine)
Known for its innovative farm-to-table model, Hartford’s Firebox closed in June after 13 years. Owner representative Cary Wheaton said that curbside pickup and other takeout options were not enough to sustain Firebox, as it was a “destination restaurant" that saw guests from Trinity College, employers, sporting events and theater performances. The restaurant space is expected to return as something else as part of Forge City Works' nonprofit efforts.
Firebox, Hartford’s farm-to-table restaurant with a community mission, to close after 13 years »
Park & Oak Restaurant
Fried Chicken and Waffles served with coleslaw and bourbon syrup at Park & Oak Restaurant in West Hartford. (Lauren Schneiderman | Hartford Magazine)
Park & Oak Restaurant in West Hartford was open for nearly four years before shutting its doors in July. The restaurant featured dishes influenced by American comfort food and the South. The restaurant had plans for renovation, but decided against pursuing them and renewing its lease, citing the coronavirus pandemic and state restrictions.
Herd Restaurant
MIDDLETOWN 03/13/17 House cured pork belly with maple-Sriracha glaze, carrot puree, and brussel sprouts is one of the appetizers offered at Herd Restaurant. CLOE POISSON|cpoisson@courant.com (Cloe Poisson | Hartford Courant)
Middletown’s Herd Restaurant closed its Main Street location in August, but has since moved its operation to to share space with Cafe 56, also located in Middletown.
Geno’s Grille
A replica of one of Auriemma's national championship trophies greets diners as they enter Geno's Grille. (John Woike)
UConn coach Geno Auriemma’s Italian restaurant in Storrs Center closed in May as a result of COVID-related losses. Auriemma’s other restaurant, Cafe Aura in Manchester, was unable to offer outdoor dining, and he and 130 other businesses owners and associates signed a letter asking Gov. Ned Lamont allow indoor dining in a limited capacity back in early June.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma’s Storrs restaurant to close permanently »
Prospect Cafe
From left, Brothers Paul and Jeff Emery work on the menu of their Prospect Cafe in its outdoor dining area Aug. 13. The cafe is reopening in West Hartford under the brother's ownership after it was closed for nearly three years. The old Prospect Cafe was open for 48 years prior to its closing. (Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant)
West Hartford’s landmark Prospect Cafe shuttered its doors in September because of COVID-19′s “relentless and uncertain” impacts. The restaurant had offered a takeout-only menu in its last months, but that did not prove enough. Before being revamped and reopened in 2015 by brothers Paul and Jeff Emery, Prospect Cafe had been run by the same family, the Faenzas, for almost 50 years.
Ted’s Montana Grill
Ted Turner, right, with his business partner George McKerrow Jr., arrive at Ted's Montana Grill on Front Street in Hartford. (Kenneth R. Gosselin | Hartford Courant)
Opened in 2014, Ted’s Montana Grill was part of Hartford’s entertainment district on Front Street. But when convention business closed, and corporate employees and UConn students stayed home, Ted’s suffered. The restaurant’s specialty was American bison. Its other location in South Windsor is still open.
Ted’s Montana Grill closes Hartford location on Front Street »
Red Lion Hotel
A view of Dunkin' Donuts Park and the future area of the Downtown North redevelopment area. (Kassi Jackson)
The Red Lion Hotel in downtown Hartford closed in the spring and went up for sale in September due to a dip in travel and in major sporting and entertainment events. The upper nine floors of the hotel building are now apartments, which are still leasing.
That Book Store
Karen Opper, owner of That Book Store LLC, stands for a portrait outside of her store Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, in Wethersfield. Opper is being forced to close her doors, due to the coronavirus pandemic's effect on businesses. (Kassi Jackson/Kassi Jackson)
At the end of September, Wethersfield’s That Book Store closed after two years. The bookstore’s appeal came from the fact that it offered alcohol alongside its books, and Gov. Ned Lamont’s restrictions on selling adult beverages to shoppers and groups that used the venue for events put owner Karen Opper out of business.
Storytellers Cottage
Instructor Amanda Forker conducts a 'wizarding' class from home, for the Storyteller's Cottage. (Courtesy photo / HANDOUT)
Storytellers Cottage in Simsbury was a dream for lovers of literature, hosting book-themed parties, murder mystery nights, escape rooms, kids' summer activities, author talks, writing workshops and more. In September, it closed its pastel-green physical location permanently after months of being closed due to COVID-19. Owner Lisa Natcharian moved the cottage entirely online to storytellerscottage.podia.com, where fans can get virtual versions of what they have come to love for $30.
Storytellers Cottage in Simsbury closes due to pandemic, to move all operations online »
Shady Glen
Do you fold, or do you rip? It's a natural question when faced with a Shady Glen cheeseburger, topped with its trademark "wings" of fried cheese. (Cloe Poisson)
Shady Glen lost its Manchester Parkade location in October after months of unsuccessfully trying to keep the business viable. The vintage-style diner, which had been open for five decades, had just landed a spot on The Daily Meal’s “101 Best Burgers in America” list for its famous “Bernice Original” burger. The restaurant’s original location on the East Middle Turnpike near Bolton will remain open.
JC Penney
Stores open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Stores will remain open until 9:30 p.m. on Friday. Free Disney snow globes will be handed out to shoppers starting at 4 a.m. Friday. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
Retailers were already hit by more customers turning to online options like Amazon and the COVID-19 pandemic did not help. JC Penney closed 154 stores nationwide, including a location in Torrington.
JC Penney closing 154 stores, including one in Connecticut »
