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April 10, 2024

7 Brew gets OK to build first New England franchise in Wallingford

HBJ PHOTO | DAVID KRECHEVSKY The Captain Seas restaurant at 905 North Colony Road (Route 5) in Wallingford will be replaced by a 7 Brew drive-through coffee shop.
By David Krechevsky

While raising concerns about traffic and employee safety, the Wallingford Planning & Zoning Commission approved a plan Monday night for New England’s first 7 Brew drive-thru coffee shop.

The special permit application was approved by a 4-1 vote following a public hearing.

The new facility will be constructed at 905 North Colony Road, also known as Route 5. The site is currently occupied by the Captain Seas restaurant, which has lost its lease.

Captain Seas owner Fani Manos said Wednesday that the restaurant will close after Mother’s Day on May 12. The restaurant, known for its seafood, has been at that location for 15 years. Manos said she is still searching for a new location, but has not yet found anything suitable.

During Monday’s public hearing, 7 Brew representative Wade Harden and Marcus Potok, a North Haven-based civil engineer, represented applicants Rohan Kapoor and Manraj Parmar of Drive Thru Brew LLC and presented the application to the commission. 

Potok said the existing building will be demolished and the pavement will be completely resurfaced. A modular building for the drive-thru shop will then be brought to the site and installed.

He stated that the business, which was founded in Arkansas in 2017 and now has more than 200 locations across the United States, is strictly a drive-thru beverage operation, with no indoor or outdoor seating and no food prepared or served.

According to his presentation, cars will queue up in two lanes and customers will have orders taken by “runners” with electronic tablets. Drinks, which include hot and cold coffee, tea and energy drinks, will be delivered by other staff at the end of the line. 

Just 13 parking spaces will be created, but will be for use only by 7 Brew staff, he said.

Commission member Jim Kohan was concerned about employee safety, since the drive-thru lanes are separated only by stripes on the pavement and not physical barriers. Members also raised concerns about the effect of cold or wet weather on employees, but were given assurances that 7 Brew has other locations in cold-weather areas and provide shelter and heat for their employees. 

Members also expressed concern that Route 5 often has heavy traffic and that the lot’s location is not near a traffic light, which could make left turns out of the property difficult. After lengthy discussion, the applicants agreed to include an access easement at the rear of the property that, if needed, could connect it with the car wash next door to the south to allow excess vehicles another exit.

Kohan was the sole member to vote against approving the special permit, citing his concerns over employee safety.

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