New York's Artichoke Basille's Pizza is making its Connecticut debut next week.
The restaurant franchise say it's launching in Newington on Thursday, Feb. 14, at 2391 Berlin Turnpike next door to Puerta Vallarta Mexican Restaurant. As previously reported, the 35-seat restaurant, housed in 1,600-square-foot, is the franchise's first free-standing location. It will employ about 20 people.
Franchisee Matthew Rusconi will head the Newington site, which will mirror Artichoke's New York City locations featuring exposed brick and antique tin.
Francis Garcia and cousin Sal Basille founded the "New York-style" pizza company in 2008 in Manhattan's East Village. Today, the chain has 12 locations nationwide and has over 10 stores in development in Connecticut, New Jersey and California.
Artichoke say it partners with Virginia-based franchise development company Fransmart, which also works with fast-casual restaurants Five Guys and The Halal Guys.