[New Englander]

Originally Posted by BobNJ1960

What I find disturbing is a large quantity of chain restaurants closing here. They are getting hammered since covid by supply chain costs, plus delivery services. A few local restaurant owners have told me they usually get about 80% of the selling price pre tax, when food gets picked up by Grub Hub, Uber Eats, or Door Dash.

That is the same thing happening with hotels dealing with priceline (they get about 80% of pre tax room rates), and it reduces the net revenue for the entity providing the service.

Even though Colony in Fairfield is a nice setup, I always gravitate to the original in Stamford.

I think Stamford has an excellent dining scene. Cafe Silvium, Remo's, Prime etc. are all great spots.

I sometimes regret not getting into the condo game in Stamford. There was some great Price to Rent ratios in Stamford. I haven't had the check out the city recently; always in a rush to head over to either NYC or Fairfield but will definitely stop by and grab a meal in town. I wonder how things are going in Stamford with the white-collar workers on hybrid/remote schedules.

Stamford is a terrific city. I know everyone talks about the NYC effect, which may be true; however, there is also a livable yet cosmopolitan vibe in the city.

[mdovell]

The hospitality industry is very vital because not everybody can work in manufacturing or be in administrative services. But from what I've seen is that it does take a fair amount of coordination when you start talking about restaurants and hotels and bars and some other amenities. If there's an event in a given area and I don't see any form of Hotel I'm going to assume they're probably only going to come down for the day. The chance that they're going to go all the way back and then all the way back again is unlikely. You have to have some Logistics when you start talking about larger people and larger events. I started an interesting conversation about a theater near me that doesn't have that much for shows. They had much bigger and well-known acts years ago and they can actually have more people than ever inside there's been a steady amount of investment. However if you want to get 500 or so people to the area there isn't that much for parking so you're going to have to really cram them in cars or have some Bus drop them off. If you don't coordinate you can end up with say short staffing at a restaurant and then people start leaving early if they can't get a bite to eat.

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by BobNJ1960

What I find disturbing is a large quantity of chain restaurants closing here. They are getting hammered since covid by supply chain costs, plus delivery services. A few local restaurant owners have told me they usually get about 80% of the selling price pre tax, when food gets picked up by Grub Hub, Uber Eats, or Door Dash.

That is the same thing happening with hotels dealing with priceline (they get about 80% of pre tax room rates), and it reduces the net revenue for the entity providing the service.

Great points, no question.
Indy's are the way to go. Indy's are the backbone of CT's revered downtowns and centers. Chains are falling out of favor but still have their target audience. A good balanced mix of chains and Indy's are vital to an area's economy.

[WouldLoveTo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Not a big loss. There are plenty of great local pizza places to go to instead. The Glastonbury branch is the only one left. It’s actually the closest pizza place to my house but I haven’t been there in years. We drive by it to go to one of our favorite local places instead.

Same goes for Denny’s and 99. We don’t have a Denny’s here but we do have a 99. It’s still popular but it’s quality has dropped recently. Just not as good and fresh as it once was. We now go to Maggie McFly’s instead. Much better food and an insanely large menu. Something for everyone. Jay

I haven't been to Bertucci's in over 10, gee make that 15 years. It always seems busy. I used to work at a job and that was their favorite place but I don't like that style of pizza and always felt ripped off with their other choices.

I actually loved Denny's hash browns lol

99 is ok but if I have a choice between that and Chili's, I'm taking Chili's.

For a quick no-nonsense burger, I'm going to Five Guys believe it or not. Or the local place which unfortunately closes at 2pm!

I think there is still a Denny's in Enfield along with a Friendly's! I went to the Friendly's over the summer, really expensive and tiny portions.

I have only been to Maggie's once, I should try that again.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by New Englander

Even though Colony in Fairfield is a nice setup, I always gravitate to the original in Stamford.

I think Stamford has an excellent dining scene. Cafe Silvium, Remo's, Prime etc. are all great spots.

I sometimes regret not getting into the condo game in Stamford. There was some great Price to Rent ratios in Stamford. I haven't had the check out the city recently; always in a rush to head over to either NYC or Fairfield but will definitely stop by and grab a meal in town. I wonder how things are going in Stamford with the white-collar workers on hybrid/remote schedules.

Stamford is a terrific city. I know everyone talks about the NYC effect, which may be true; however, there is also a livable yet cosmopolitan vibe in the city.

Funny, to me, Stamford is a lacking dining scene for its size. I prefer Norwalk, and even Westport. And New Haven is way better. IMO.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by BobNJ1960

What I find disturbing is a large quantity of chain restaurants closing here.

Not me. The independent dining scene has never been better.

I’d rather not go for a previously factory-made, loaded with calories and artificial ingredients, preservatives, and a general lower quality chain food, when I can go to a great independent restaurant where the profits are contained locally.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Not me. The independent dining scene has never been better.

I’d rather not go for a previously factory-made, loaded with calories and artificial ingredients, preservatives, and a general lower quality chain food, when I can go to a great independent restaurant where the profits are contained locally.

I like independents, but I am talking from an economic perspective, the gig economy and concurrent supply chain cost issues are disproportionately harming restaurants who cannot charge very high price premiums to customers.

It's not a sudden change in quality crushing 99, Dennys, Julias, Bertuccis, etc. It's a change in their post covid cost structures doing it. Add in, the same thing obviously happened a short time back when Chip's scaled back its quantity of locations.

Its healthier if both your preference plus these chain restaurants can survive, IMHO. Something for everyone.

[Tiredofnyclife]

Isn't Connecticut the land of Applebee's, cheesecake factory, and other chain restaurants?

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by Tiredofnyclife

Isn't Connecticut the land of Applebee's, cheesecake factory, and other chain restaurants?

The United States of America is the land of Applebees, Cheesecake Factory and other national chain establishments.

[masssachoicetts]

Hmm.. thoughts on this?? Seems like there isn't much news on this. Anybody have any insight? This could be a huge W for the Farmington Valley if it is built correctly. i know a Whole FOods is there now but I would love to see a Target and Home Depot/Lowes and small shops there too. Something Avon/Simsbury/Farmington/Canton seriously lack. The demand is there for sure.

https://www.avonct.gov/planning-comm...center-project
https://www.avonct.gov/sites/g/files...verallplan.pdf

Looks impressive and the rotary / roads built recently are realllll nice.

Any insight? Inside info?? Thoughts??