Nardelli's Grinder Shoppe Opens In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — After months of anticipation, Nardelli's Grinder Shoppe officially opened for business at 345 Main Avenue in Norwalk on Feb. 28, and customers are already enjoying it, according to the franchise owner.

Speaking from the store Wednesday, Matthew Youngs said business has been picking up every day since opening day last week.

"It's been great so far," Youngs said to Patch. "Our lunch rush has been getting stronger and stronger every day. We've been networking with other businesses in the area who've been great partners...and it's just been a really good opening."

The staff at Nardelli's is more than prepared for the growing rush thanks to the two full weeks of training held prior to opening and two successful friends and family events in late February.

"We're now getting our sea legs underneath us," Youngs said. "[Wednesday] we had a very busy lunch. The sandwiches were making it to the cash register already prepared by the time the customer got there. We were able to bag them smoothly. Everyone is having a really good experience with Nardelli's."

The Norwalk location marks Nardelli's first store directly in the lower area of Fairfield County, with the franchise's current stores closest to Norwalk located in Danbury and Milford.

Nardelli's also has locations in Oxford, Southbury, Naugatuck, Waterbury, Wallingford, Meriden, Middletown, Southington, Cromwell, Torrington, Farmington and East Hartford.

According to Youngs, the franchise's famous Italian combo has unsurprisingly proven to be a big hit with customers already, however the steak and cheese sandwich, as well a limited time corned beef sandwich and several meatless options (including a meatless Italian combo), have also been popular.

While the sandwiches and quick service will play a big part in the store's success in Norwalk, Youngs also pointed to a third important factor that Nardelli's customers can count on: tradition.

"We've been around for 100 years. Tradition is a very big thing," Youngs said. "There's a level of authenticity with Nardelli's food, and it's just something spectacular, so we welcome anyone who wants to come in and try it to come in, and we're certain that they're going to come back."