Moe’s Gets Approval to Move to Wallingford

It’s official. Moe’s can now come to Wallingford.

The Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously agreed Monday evening to issue Moe’s Southwest Grill a special permit to take over the former Pocket Wireless building at 970 North Colony Road in Wallingford.

David Thuermer, a partner in the new Moe’s franchise, told Wallingford Patch the plan is to hopefully open the new restaurant by mid-to-late July. Thuermer Moe’s will now move on to applying for a building permit and satisfying rules and requirements set by the town’s Building Department.

Moe's is a growing fast-casual restaurant change that serves Southwest-style food like tacos and burritos.

The restaurant had to apply for the special permit from the Planning & Zoning Office because the Holiday Cinemas plaza generates over 100 cars during peak-hour traffic.

But the traffic did not appear to be an issue at the meeting, as Thuermer submitted a letter from engineering firm Milone & MacBroom saying there would be minimal disruption to traffic due to the new Moe’s. Thuermer told the P&Z Commission there are no plans to modify the existing 2,100 square-foot Pocket Wireless building or the parking lot.

Since Wallingford regulations require that restaurants have 20 extra parking spaces compared to retail spaces, Thuermer told the commission that the plaza owners agreed to allow 20 extra spaces in the existing 902-space lot to be considered "shared spaces" for Moe's use. 

No residents spoke during a short public hearing.