Bristol's Development On Chipotle, Starbucks Is Moving Forward

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

July 11, 2022

The development of the former Ruby Tuesday into a Chipotle and Starbucks is moving forward, say city economic development leaders, but the opening of a Dairy Queen is “temporarily on hold.”

The Ruby Tuesday at 1444 Farmington Ave. closed in June 2020 after a car crashed into the restaurant's water man. City records indicate that Hillcrest Development Partners, LLC plan to subdivide the property in two lots, which will be built into a Chipotle and Starbucks with Drive-ups.

The planned Chipotle building will be 2,400 square feet and the Starbucks will be 2,225 Square feet. A total of 65 parking lots have been proposed.

Justin Malley, the city's economic development director, said Wednesday that this project is still “moving forward.”

“The demolition of the Ruby Tuesday building should begin at the end of this week or early next week,” said Malley. “Construction should start up shortly after demolition. The developer is expecting it to be complete by the end of 2022.”

Malley said that the Starbucks will be the first drive-thru Starbucks in the city.

“I believe that this will be the new model for Starbucks going forward,” he said.

Malley added that many city residents have been wanting a Chipotle in town for a long time.

“We’re glad to increase out options in all aspects of retail” he said.

Mayor Jeff Caggiano said that he is “really excited” to see the new businesses coming to Bristol.

“It’s great to be able to put high quality establishments like this into the entryways of the city,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of these types of higher end places in lots of other cities during my travels around the country. I’ve heard a lot of young people asking why we don’t have cool stuff like this in Bristol. My older son has joked that if we had a Chipotle he may not have moved out.”

Caggiano said that he hopes to continue to attract drive-thru eateries to the commercial area on Route 6. At the same time, he hopes to continue to work to make downtown a walk-able area with more sit-down restaurants.

Starting last Oct, Nov. and Dec., zoning paperwork was filed to bring a Dairy Queen to 454 Farmington Ave. However, construction has not yet begun on the site.

Dawn Nielsen, the city’s marketing and public relations specialist, confirmed Wednesday that the project is on hold.

"As of today, the status of this project is it is still on hold," said Nielsen. "As of the last email correspondence we had with the developers for the Dairy Queen, the status has not changed. They said they would contact us when and if it does."

A site plan was submitted by applicant Hashimi Management Corporation, which called for the removal of the former residential properties in the area. Additionally, the plan called for a fence to be built around the property to provide screening for neighbors.

A traffic impact study was also conducted, which stated customers could expect to be served for 90 seconds at a drive-thru window. There would be a 14-vehicle queue on the property.

The city’s public records from a Dec. 8 meeting of the Zoning Commission state city staff were satisfied with the plans.

A Dairy Queen formerly operated in Bristol where Poke’s Works Mexican Grill is located now on 838 Farmington Ave. City Historian Bob Montgomery said this location closed in the 1970s.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.