Plans For 'Theater' At Glastonbury Grange Hall Still Taking Shape

GLASTONBURY, CT — Though it is already featured on a website, officials in Glastonbury are still gathering information on a proposed "theater" for the old Grange hall on Naubuc Avenue.

The latest presentation on the plans is scheduled before planning officials and the Plan and Zoning Commission's Plans Review Subcommittee at 9 on Wednesday morning of next week in a meeting open to the public.

The mastermind behind the plan is Don Vaccaro, who owns South Windsor-based Ticket Network. The old Grange hall is located at 43 Naubuc Ave. and was purchased by Vaccaro in 2021, town records show.

Glastonbury Community Development Director Shelley Caltagirone said local officials are "continuing to gather information" on the project, which hasn't quite been specifically laid out yet.

The Grange hall was built in 1929, measures 5,200 square feet and sits on .43 acres. Though the zone has changed over the years, the Grange hall is grandfathered for "assemblies," Caltagirone said. An exact capacity has not yet been discussed, she added.

Despite the ambiguity of what the final product might look like, Vaccaro has certainly been promoting the venue via the Glastonbury Theater website.

"Welcome to our historic venue ... the Glastonbury Theater, where history, charm, and luxury intertwine to create unforgettable events," the site proclaims. "Nestled in the picturesque town of Glastonbury, Connecticut, our beautifully renovated grange hall has been a community cornerstone since 1929. Today, we offer an unparalleled event experience, blending timeless elegance with modern sophistication for your cherished celebrations."

Vaccaro has longed to open an an entertainment venue. About 13 years ago on land he owned in Vernon near the Exit 66, Interstate 84 interchange, he proposed a 1,390-seat concert venue. A citizens group vehemently opposed the plan and it was eventually scrapped after the Vernon Plannong and Zoning Commission shot it down in a 5-2 vote.