Restaurants & Bars
Another Southington Restaurant Set To Close
News of this eatery's Feb. 28 closure comes as another one shut down for good on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
SOUTHINGTON, CT — It's been a February to forget regarding the local dining scene, with yet another Southington restaurant announcing recently it will soon close.
Fireside on Main, located at 42 W. Main St. in the Plantsville section of town, announced recently it will shutter for good at the end of this month.
The last day is Tuesday, Feb. 28.
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The restaurant, with co-owner Mike Mingolello as the face of the eatery, opened amid much optimism nearly a year ago, in March 2022.
But the financial challenges that are hitting many businesses hard are equally slamming the restaurant industry, which is still trying to shake itself off the pandemic's disastrous effects in 2020.
Find out what's happening in Southingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The owner of Fireside on Main cited rising utility costs and difficulties paying the rent as being the reason for his decision to shut down.
He said via Facebook that the choice to close came "with a very heavy heart."
"We have made so many friends and absolutely love seeing our regulars. Unfortunately, with a restaurant that size comes a big monthly rent and utilities, which are just not feasible anymore," wrote the owner via Facebook.
Mingolello wrote the restaurant was offered the option to be "free of our lease and, at this point, it may be the best decision as it does not make financial sense for us" to keep operating.
Restaurant officials said people with gift certificates should use them prior to Feb. 28.
"Once again, we truly appreciate the opportunity that was given to us, the new people we have met, all of our vendors," Mingolello wrote. "But with the economic climate, it's best this way for now."
Fireside on Main is the second Southington eatery to shutter or announce its closing this month.
Last month, the owners of Zingarella Ristorante & Pizzeria at 83 W. Main St., Plantsville, not far from Fireside on Main, announced its closure for similar economic reasons.
That eatery's last day of business was Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.
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