City Evicting Middletown Restaurant

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Mayor Dan Drew announced that the city will be evicting First & Last Tavern come April 1. The restaurant owes the city more than $140,000 in overdue rent dating back to 2016.

The city filed an eviction lawsuit in January. First & Last occupies space on Main Street in the police department building.

"The city has received many expressions of interest by other restaurant groups and will pursue the one most beneficial to the taxpayers of Middletown," Drew said in a statement.

The restaurant started leasing the space in 2016 after taking over the last three years of the previous tenant's lease, according to a lawsuit filed by the City of Middletown. The city requested the restaurant pay around $114,000 by October 2018. It owes $130,000 in unpaid rent and $1,600 in unpaid taxes.

The city filed a notice for the restaurant to vacate the premises by Jan. 12.

Lawyers for the restaurant said in a January filing that the restaurant engaged in good faith negotiations to pay outstanding payments.

"[City of Middletown] deliberately destroyed and removed a substantial portion of the then existing parking available for the property," lawyers for the restaurant wrote in the filing. "Said action by [City of Middletown] has caused significant and substantial damage to Defendant's business resulting in substantial financial hardship."

The eatery has received numerous positive reviews from customers. One person wrote on the eatery's social media page, "Celebrated our parent’s 67th wedding anniversary last night and the food, service and atmosphere were perfect! Tony and his staff were accommodating to our group as we gathered for this special occasion. A huge thank you to Tony for his generosity and for his attention to detail. We have celebrated anniversaries at First & Last Tavern in Middletown previously, and we’re so happy we decided to return to celebrate this year. Will definitely be back!"

Another person said, "great family atmosphere, good food and friendly staff."

According to the restaurant's website, "Located in the heart of Middletown, Connecticut, this Main Street staple stands tall greeting you at the south end of the historic downtown area. First & Last Tavern is committed to giving superior Italian cuisine at a vintage price. Our casual, yet rustic atmosphere makes dining with us a truly unique and enjoyable experience. Serving up quality gourmet pizzas, cooked to perfection in the tavern’s brick oven, as well as offering a wide variety of appetizers and entrees, makes First & Last the perfect place. Our philosophy has always been simple; Pizza, Pasta, Ambiance. From our family to yours, we welcome you to the First & Last Tavern of Middletown."

In 2018, the restaurant won Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s “Restaurant Showdown” contest, the Middletown Press reports.