Popular Coffee Shop To Open New Location In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Common Grounds coffee shop will be opening a second location in Hamden after receiving the approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission last week.

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved plans for Common Grounds to convert the former Bank of America building at 1697 Whitney Avenue into a coffee shop with a drive-thru at its meeting on June 24.

Common Grounds currently has a location at 2460 Dixwell Avenue in the Tommy’s Tanning shopping plaza, along with shops in Branford, New Haven and Shelton.

Dena Jara, who owns and operates Common Grounds with her husband Wilson Jara, presented their application, and said current customers have expressed interest in the business expanding into the Spring Glen area and they “feel that now is a good time to do so,” according to minutes of the meeting.

Dena Jara said the shop would offer coffee and other beverages, baked goods, and prepared foods. They have no current plans for an outdoor area, but could consider adding a few tables in the future, according to the meeting minutes.

Jara was asked if they were concerned about competition in the area as there are already several coffee shops nearby. Jara said that each establishment has “its own niche offering different customer experiences,” and noted that their other location is close to several national coffee chains and they manage to “generate plenty of traffic at that shop,” according to meeting minutes.

During public comments, one person spoke in support of the proposal, while several others were opposed.

Tim Parrish, whose wife owns the nearby Cantean Coffee & Tea shop, spoke in opposition of the proposal and highlighted the “saturation of coffee shops in the area, adding that Common Grounds would draw revenue away from business owned by Hamden residents,” according to the meeting minutes.

“He noted that the shop owned by his wife, Sarah Borden, was already negatively impacted by the vacant site of the former Spring Glen Hardware store,” the minutes state. “He concluded by stating that he would like to see a tenant move into the old Bank of America building but that he felt this was not the appropriate proposal.”

Several others echoed Parrish’s sentiments, and more than two dozen people submitted letters in opposition of the plan.

Jara said she wasn’t concerned by the community opposition, and “feels strongly that all of the businesses can coexist with their own customer bases and emphasized that she wants to be an addition to the existing community,” according to the minutes.

Commission members were reminded multiple times during the meeting that economic competition could not be relevant to their decision.

Assistant Town Planner Christopher Soto said the commission’s role isn’t to “assess the effects of free market competition but simply to determine if the application met all regulations and would not pose an undue threat to the safety and welfare of the area,” according to meeting minutes.

The application was approved with the following conditions: 1. A zoning permit must be obtained; 2. The applicant must provide an updated site plan with the location of the menu board, accessible parking spaces, and marked internal pedestrian walkways; 3. A separate sign permit will be required; 4. The applicant must obtain all necessary local and state approvals.

For more information about Common Grounds, visit its website here.

See also:

• Unique Eatery Closing Storefront In Hamden, Owner Announces
• ‘Unique Shopping Experience’ Opens In Hamden
• Unique Donut Shop Has ‘Mighty’ Reopening In Hamden