Major Coffee Chain Plans New Shop In Southington

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A former Italian ice/frozen custard shop in Southington could soon become a new chain coffee shop instead.

The Southington Planning and Zoning Commission meets Thursday, June 6, to discuss and, possibly, decide on plans to build a new Aroma Joe's coffee chain at the former site of a Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard shop.

PZC members will address a site plan application from Java Junction LLC out of Bristol to open an Aroma Joe's coffee shop at 279 Queen St., Southington.

The property is owned by Southington-based 279 Queet Street LLC, according to the site plan application on file with the town, with plans calling for a 1,011-square-foot building to replace the existing structure there.

According to the application, Aroma Joe's will be a quick-service coffee shop and have a drive-through window, providing folks with an easy way to get their caffeine fix.

Aroma Joe's is a Portland, Maine,-based coffee chain that specializes in various types of hot and cold coffee drinks, as well as refreshing cold drinks.

It also serves various types of breakfast sandwiches and doughnuts/muffins/pastries, though its coffee is what it is best known for.

Last March, Rita's announced it was closing the Queen Street site, citing an inability to reach a lease agreement with the property owners.

The PZC was originally slated to meet on Tuesday, June 4, but it was canceled and rescheduled as a special meeting for Thursday, June 6.

For the agenda of the Thursday, June 6, Southington Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For all documents regarding the Aroma Joe's proposal for 279 Queen St., click on this link.

For more information on the Aroma Joe's chain, click on this link.

From March 5: 'Southington May Lose Italian Ice/Frozen Custard Chain'