Mystic Pizza Plans Outdoor Dining Deck: Report

MYSTIC, CT — Mystic Pizza is planning to add more outdoor seating with a second-floor deck next spring, according to The New London Day. The Groton Planning and Zoning Commission approved the West Main Street restaurant's site plans at its Tuesday meeting.

Plans call for removing part of a sloping roof and replacing it with an outdoor deck with seating for 25. The outdoor dining area will offer views of downtown Mystic, The New London Day reported.

Demand for outdoor seating has increased ever since the pandemic began. The deck will be open spring through fall, weather permitting.

Mystic Pizza was initially granted permission to provide outdoor seating in May 2020, according to The Connecticut Post. Gov. Ned Lamont granted the permission, enabling the restaurant to use a state highway right-of-way for outdoor dining. The permit was the first of its kind issued in the state during the pandemic crisis.

Mystic Pizza opened in 1973. The restaurant's "secret recipe" contributed to its long run of success, according to its website.

The restaurant caught the eye of screenwriter Amy Jones. In 1988, "Mystic Pizza" was released, a film that starred Julia Roberts and earned critical acclaim.