Former Branford Chowder Pot III Property Listed For $2.5 Million

BRANFORD, CT — The former Branford Chowder Pot III property located at 560 E. Main St. is on the market for $2.5 million, according to a listing on LoopNet, which lists commercial properties for sale.

In the listing on LoopNet, it states that the property was home to the icon shoreline restaurant since 1953, and the building includes 12,301-square-feet of space and nearly 3 acres of land. The beloved eatery closed earlier in 2024.

The listing states that the property is zoned "General Industrial" and that this zone permits a variety of uses.

Hearst Connecticut reports that the famous lobster that sat on top of the restaurant sold at auction for $7,000 this week.

Steve Miller, of Levey Miller Maretz LLC of Woodbridge, told Hearst Connecticut that they've received a lot of interest in the property, including from restaurateurs, other retailers and even real estate developers.

The Chowder Pot III of Branford closed for good earlier in 2024 and chef-owner John Bencivengo Jr., told Hearst at the time that expenses "were through the roof," and the building needed repairs, which led to his decision to close the eatery.

On March 3, Bencivengo posted an announcement on Facebook announcing that he was closing for good.

"With a heavy heart I have to announce the closing of our doors today," Bencivengo wrote. "I want to say thank you for all the love and support you have shown myself and Chowder Pot lll

The restaurant began in 1977 as a small seafood drive-in in Madison, which was owned by Jonathan Smith and his wife Debbie, according to the Chowder Pot III's website.

A second location opened in Clinton, where Bencivengo became the executive chef. Bencivengo came along as the Branford outpost opened in the 1980s. In 2017, Bencivengo transitioned from executive chef to owner, the restaurant's website says.

Read the full listing on LoopNet.

Read more at Hearst Connecticut.

Patch editor Richard Kaufman contributed to this story.