Chip's on Schedule for Late Summer Opening

Chip's Family Restaurant, a landmark in Orange since 1966 and known for its pancakes, is on schedule to open its new restaurant in the Tunxis Hill Shopping Center in Fairfield by Sept. 1.

Chip's is now advertising for employees, and construction workers at the upcoming restaurant, which will seat 180 in space formerly home to Blockbuster Video, said construction should be done in a month to six weeks. Employees at Chip's in Orange said the Fairfield restaurant should open in late August or early September.

George Chatzopoulos, who's owned the Chip's in Orange for about the past four years, said in February that he plans to employ 45 to 50 people at the Fairfield Chip's and that 18 to 20 would work during peak times. The restaurant would be open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., seven days a week.

Town Building Official James Gilleran said Wednesday that the Fairfield Chip's had all its permits. "They're all set. They don't need much of anything, except to finish the job," he said. "They're working on it."

A window posting at the upcoming restaurant advises prospective employees to call 203-906-5219 or send an e-mail to ChipsHiring@gmail.com.

Owners and managers of nearby businesses said Wednesday they're happy Chip's is opening because the restaurant will bring more customers into the shopping center at the intersection of Black Rock Turnpike and Tunxis Hill Cutoff.

"We think it's going to help make it busier. I think it's going to bring business in," said Amanda Wilson, a hair stylist at Colton Joshua Salon. "The only thing I'm worried about is the parking. The parking lot is not that big."

Chip's didn't have enough parking spaces to open where Blockbuster Video was, but the town's Zoning Board of Appeals in February approved a waiver of 28 required parking spaces so the restaurant could open.

Tony Kim, manager of Tunxis Hill Dry Cleaners, which has been in the shopping center for 19 years, said Chip's would be good for his business. "It brings more traffic. It's good to see businesses open instead of close, like in a recession," he said. "Any time any business opens, that's a good sign."

"Any traffic increase in the shopping center, that's good for everybody. It brings in more people."

Jason Hackney, owner of Super Discount Wines & Spirits, said enough parking spaces exist for Chip's and other tenants in the shopping center. He said Chip's most popular hours likely wouldn't conflict with the most popular hours at his store "nor do I think it conflicts with anyone else."

"They're going to just drive a lot of business into the parking lot. More foot traffic is better for everyone. I think there's plenty of spaces out there for everyone. Most of their business is prior to 3 p.m.," Hackney said.

Harold Shaw, owner of Shaw Jewelers, one of the center's original tenants, also thought parking wouldn't be a problem after Chip's opens. "It's just going to bring people to the shopping center, and people to the shopping center is a positive," he said.