Award-Winning Restaurant To Close In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — An award-winning eatery and local vegan hotspot specializing in plant-based fast food will cease operations in West Hartford next month, the owners announced Monday.

"G-Monkey"will close its doors after two years.

According to a release issued by G-Monkey, owners Mark Shadle and Ami Beach "have decided to simplify and streamline their businesses affording them the opportunity to channel energy into the G-Monkey Truck expansion as well as new and exciting endeavors."

G-Monkey, located at 625 New Park Ave., Suite G, in West Hartford, tentatively plans to close for good on Saturday, Dec 16, at 7 p.m.

It offers "fast food" to its hungry clients but, unlike traditional eateries, its burgers, fries, chili, and other menu items are all plant-based.

Any unused gift cards can be used at the G-Monkey food truck, according to organizers.

“When you own a restaurant, you spend most of your time behind the scenes,” said Shadle in a statement. “I want to share some of my extensive knowledge with others through teaching and consulting opportunities and spend more time getting around our state with our first food love, the G-monkey Mobile, established in 2009."

While the end for the restaurant is approaching, it is not the end for G-Monkey, which will specialize in food truck operations at various sites in the area.

“Our customers are family and when we officially close our doors, we hope they continue to follow along on our journey and become inspired by our decision to focus on developing a more joyful next chapter,” said Beach.

Beach said there are tentative plans to offer G-Monkey food truck franchises in the future.

No formal reasons were cited for the closure other than a desire to redirect energies to other G-Monkey endeavors.

But the restaurant industry has been hit hard with cost increases and staffing issues post-Covid, something that has resulted in several restaurants in the area to shutter and/or redefine what they offer.

For more information on G-Monkey and its vegan food offerings, click on this link.