Historic Newtown Property Cleared For 2 Proposed Restaurants

NEWTOWN, CT — Restaurants and medical offices will now be permitted at the former wire factory redevelopment on Church Hill Road following approval from the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission.

The approval moves two potential restaurants one step closer to opening at the historic property.

Danbury developer Anthony Rizzo Jr. has been working with Froggy's Deli, a New York-style deli with a location in New Fairfield, and Tomo 202, an Asian fusion restaurant in Brookfield, as prospective tenants.

An orthopedic practice offering physical therapy and MRI services has also been proposed for the site.

"We like taking older buildings that have become eyesores and going into a community to become a good neighbor by making them vital again," Rizzo said in a statement previously published on the Rizzo Companies website.

The commission approved amendments to the town's M-5 zoning regulations and voted to allow restaurants and medical offices as permitted uses at the site, saying the change would provide additional flexibility in attracting tenants to the redevelopment.

The former industrial property is being redeveloped into a nine-tenant retail center. Existing tenant Catalyst Training Gym has already opened, while the commission discussed parking and traffic before ultimately approving the zoning changes.