Veegmyeats
Popular vegan bakery and pop-up formerly based in Hartford opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Middletown, CT next door to Aroy Thai Garden. Offers vegan cupcakes, brownies, cookies, cheesecakes, and gluten-free options. Owner Sheena Salvador plans to open Aug. 22.
Union 66 Kitchen & Bar
Union 66 Kitchen & Bar is a neighborhood restaurant and bar opening at 164 Main Street in Portland, CT, taking over the space currently occupied by The HopKnot. The HopKnot will close in mid-September for the ownership transition. Union 66 will feature food, drinks, beers, wings, large pretzels, live music, karaoke, and Live Punk Fridays. […]
Sally’s Apizza
Sally’s Apizza is opening a new location at The SoNo Collection mall in Norwalk, CT. The location features a large programmable 4K video wall, a large tree in the center, and living walls in the dining room. Hiring events are actively underway. Originally planned for end of 2025, then early 2026, the opening is now […]
Cold Stone Creamery / Planet Smoothie / Wetzel’s Pretzels
An application filed with the City of Bristol proposes a new multi-concept takeout restaurant at 838 Farmington Ave. featuring Cold Stone Creamery, Planet Smoothie, and Wetzel’s Pretzels. The project is under review; original plans for an ~800 sq ft addition were dropped due to cost. Applicant now plans to use the existing building with possible […]
Two Brothers Café
Third location of Two Brothers Café, a Puerto Rican-inspired breakfast and lunch spot owned by brothers Eugene and Samuel Valentin. Opening in the former Augusta St. Kitchen space at 213 Court St. Largest location at 3,000 sq ft. Menu features Puerto Rican-inspired eggs Benedict, breakfast burritos, specialty sandwiches, and chicken and waffles. Hours 6am-2pm.
Arnie’s Art Café
Art café and coffee shop opening in a renovated old firehouse. Concept pairs specialty coffee, build-your-own toast, sandwiches, acai bowls, and pastries with an upstairs art studio offering pottery, painting, mosaics, textiles, and crochet classes. House-blend coffee sourced from Ovelle Coffee in Hartford. Still under renovation with no definitive timeline, but owner hopes to open […]
KIN Social
KIN Social is a new waterfront seasonal dining concept presented as ‘A Quartiere Project’ by the team behind The Quartiere restaurant. It will feature globally inspired shareable cuisine, an inventive cocktail program, and a social atmosphere overlooking the harbor. The space was formerly occupied by Mexicue, which closed in 2025. Opening was postponed from July […]
Goodies
Goodies, a family-owned fried seafood, burgers, hot dogs, and all-day breakfast eatery with locations in Milford and Orange CT, is opening a third location in Derby at the former Apollo Pizza space at 235 Roosevelt Drive (Route 34). Owner Nick Vlastaris is targeting a November 2026 opening. Interior demolition is underway and exterior upgrades are […]
Residence Inn by Marriott at Steelpointe Harbor
142-room extended-stay waterfront hotel, part of the mixed-use Steelpointe Harbor development. Features ground-floor amenity spaces and exterior sports court. Will be first hotel in Bridgeport since 2022. KBE Building Corp. is construction manager at risk.
Dumpling Eatery
New takeout dumpling restaurant replacing former Mike’s Pizza at 28 Church St in Naugatuck, CT. Owner Jin Bing Lin, a Connecticut restaurateur who also owns Tomo 68, Ramen N Bao, and Natural Kitchen, plans to open in late fall 2026. The 1,000 sq ft restaurant will focus on New York-style take-and-go dumplings including pork, beef, […]