Picture Enfield - Then and Now

ENFIELD, CT — The Facebook group Picture Enfield recently acquired a veritable treasure trove of photographs taken all around Enfield in the mid-1970s, and has graciously granted Enfield Patch the opportunity to publish them in a periodic column.

Today's offering features the Jade Inn, a longtime dining institution on Route 5 in the southern end of town. Owner Paul Yi operated the restaurant throughout the 1970s into the 1980s, during which time he helped facilitate the "sister city" arrangement between Enfield and Taoyuan City, Taiwan.

The Jade Inn was the site of the initial organizational meeting in 1971 between Dan McLaughlin and several other individuals, which resulted in the formation of Asnuntuck Community College. A former customer, who asked to remain anonymous, recalled the bar downstairs, where Dirty Betty Brown used to sing on weekends.

Since the closure of the Jade Inn, a number of businesses have occupied the building at 1541 King Street, which was constructed in 1950. The most successful venture was Christine's Restaurant, which operated there for nearly a decade.

Hacienda del Sol, a Mexican restaurant, was located at the site for several years before closing in 2015. The building has undergone renovation and is currently home to King's Wines & Liquors.

Do you have an old photo of Enfield you would like featured in this column? Email it, with a description, to tim.jensen@patch.com.

Jade Inn photo courtesy of Picture Enfield
King's Wines & Liquors photo courtesy of King's Wines & Liquors

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