Artsy Offering in Downtown Manchester Settling In

MANCHESTER, CT — A new artsy offering on Main Street in Manchester is settling in and welcoming customers without appointments.

Manchester economic development officials on Monday were touting the opening on social media, though it actually opened on Thanksgiving week.

The Firestone at 1115 Main St. in Downtown Manchester is an offshoot of a fixture for years in West Hartford. The Claypen announced over the summer its intention to open The Firestone — a 5,000-square-foot art studio and Cafe at the site of the former Pinewood Furniture store.

The expansion was taken on accommodate its ever-increasing east of the Connecticut River business.

It is the first applicant in Manchester's Downtown Loan Program, economic development officials said.

Food items on the menu have been avocado toast, Egg Sandwiches and Farro Salad with coffee, black, green and herbal teas, along with Hosmer Mountain sodas.

New menu items are being added daily.

"We are excited and proud to announce our new sister location to The Claypen family — The Firestone art studio and café, which will be located in Manchester, " a post on the Firestone website proclaimed. "With many customers coming from east of the river, we've had requests for years to have an option closer to home as well as a business need for a larger space to accommodate parties and events. We have been working behind the scenes for quite some time to find the perfect location to meet all these needs."

Hours are posted on The Firestone's Facebook page.