Here's Why A Popular Branford Restaurant Closed Suddenly

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

BRANFORD, CT – The man charged with bringing a new restaurant into the former Chuck’s Margarita Grill site off Exit 55 said the reason the restaurant closed abruptly last month was that the owners grew tired of running the business from far across the state.

“It is just tough, really tough being an absentee restaurant owner – especially these days,” said Joe Granato, whose job it is to bring a new restaurant into the site.

Granato said the family that runs the restaurant still operates two other restaurants closer to where they live – in Storrs and Rocky Hill.

Granato said the family is “getting a little older,” and even though the Branford restaurant was still making money “they just didn’t want to deal with the hassle of running a business from so far away any longer.”

“You also have to remember that in the restaurant’s heyday there were more than 20 of them across the state,” Granato said.

One sign outside the restaurant has the name of Granato to contact if you are interested in opening at the site. Another sign says that it regrets the closing and that gift certificates will be honored at the Storrs and Rocky Hill locations.

Granato said he has “had lots of interest” from prospective restaurants who may want to open there.

He said he is looking to place a “well-known” name there, perhaps an “Mexican, Italian or Indian restaurant.”

The location does come with challenges, Granato said.

“It’s a large place,” he said, “and large places really aren’t in vogue right now. On the other hand it is a great location and I do expect we will be getting somebody in there relatively soon.”

Speaking of the restaurant business in general, Granato offered that one particular challenge is finding the type of restaurants that younger people want to frequent.

He said millennials aren’t “looking to spend a lot of money. They’re looking for something quick – a fast and grab, in and out kind of place.”

“And,” he added, “younger people also aren’t looking to spend a lot of money. That’s why places like Panera are so popular. You can get a decent meal for about $8 - and you don’t have to tip."

Photo by Jack Kramer