Bear's Smoke House expanding Downtown

[HartfordTycoon]

http://www.courant.com/community/windsor/hc-windsor-bears-go-daddy-0204-20140203,0,4846011.story

 

Now this is just pretty cool all around. Great to see a local restaurant get this type of national publicity. Really great to see them expanding into downtown and taking that space next to Arch Street Tavern. Things are really starting to take off down there as far a restaurants go. It would be nice to see some actual retail though.

[The Voice of Reason]

I was psyched to read this today.

 

never been, but It is prettymuch a 100% positive.  Blackeyed Sallys is far enough away that they are unllikely to really compete.

 

Also since its at front street but not in Front street it will add to that areas vitality big time.

 

good to add another local joint to the mix.

 

Thinking

The Movie Theater Cafe, Cap Grill, Nix, Teds, Arch, Bears, the food option from infinity Hall...  Something on the Uconn Site like a coffee shop and well its not missing much at that point.  an Asian something and maybe a couple fast casual joints for the college crowd

[HartfordTycoon]

I was psyched to read this today.

 

never been, but It is prettymuch a 100% positive.  Blackeyed Sallys is far enough away that they are unllikely to really compete.

 

Also since its at front street but not in Front street it will add to that areas vitality big time.

 

good to add another local joint to the mix.

 

Thinking

The Movie Theater Cafe, Cap Grill, Nix, Teds, Arch, Bears, the food option from infinity Hall...  Something on the Uconn Site like a coffee shop and well its not missing much at that point.  an Asian something and maybe a couple fast casual joints for the college crowd

 

I'm hoping we can get a Five Guys and a Chipotle maybe. We have Moe's and Mooyah in State House Sq. but it's good to have some other options. Nix is currently under construction now too and they are pouring the floor at Ted's.

[Luca Brasi]

I'm hoping we can get a Five Guys and a Chipotle maybe. We have Moe's and Mooyah in State House Sq. but it's good to have some other options. Nix is currently under construction now too and they are pouring the floor at Ted's.

Unfortunately, Mooyah has closed

[HartfordTycoon]

Unfortunately, Mooyah has closed

 

That's too bad. I wonder why. They certainly seemed to do a lot of business.

[Luca Brasi]

Not sure why. Although I can't imagine paying rent and expenses for an operation like that only being open 3-4 hrs a day. It must be very tough.

I have also heard there is another restaurant in the pipeline for Front St. Although I really like that Nitkin has forgone the cookie cutter chain model and gone after successful independent operators, I think at this point a smaller inexpensive casual chain like Chipotle (as you mention) fills a need.

That being said, I also think the city should be pursuing another hotel for this area. It's also time to start cutting deals for retail as there is still nothing.

Front St has really started to take shape and when you throw in the Atheneum, Infinity and the Science Center, you have (dare I say it) competition to West Hartford.

As rents in West Hartford continue to rise, more entrepreneurs will look at areas like Front St

[The Voice of Reason]

I went to Teds the night they opened and in the process drove by Bears.  it looks to be pretty well underway and they have some kind of signage up.  It will be great to see more and more businesses open.

 

 

I really like the bar layout at Teds.  that place is built for happy hours is a really nice space in general.

 

as they get in the full swing of things I expect they will gain a nice regular happyhour crowd.  I know this because I know a few of the staff come from city steam and when I went there saw some of the regulars from steam. 

[HartfordTycoon]

Saw some photos on Bears facebook page of the progress. Looks like the place will be pretty amazing! They have a nice balcony inside and the decor looks pretty modern and inviting. I think they actually had a test dinner service a few nights ago. It's amazing how many good restaurants are in this corner of downtown now or will be shortly. Just a year or so ago, it was only Arch Street Tavern by themselves.  

[HartfordTycoon]

Just grabbed lunch to go from Bear's. I hadn't tried the Windsor location yet so it was my first time. Food was awesome. It's not cheap but it's good and the portion of pulled pork on the small sandwich was pretty large. I'm really glad this place is here now! Pretty nice variety of food near Front Street now. With Nixs getting ready to open, you'll be able to get dinner, head to a movie, and then go to Nixs for some drinks afterward all on the same block. It's really pretty amazing considering how long we waited for anything to happen with Front Street.

[The Voice of Reason]

So I read that it opened Monday which made me realize that you went to the downtown location.

 

cool!

 

Since I do happy hour downtown pretty often, Ill have to remember that I can order some BB to go on my way home

 

sounds like a great plan doesnt it?

 

[HartfordTycoon]

Sure does!