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Rizzuto’s Restaurant & Bar in West Hartford has permanently closed, the owner announced.
The Italian restaurant, located at 111 Memorial Road, West Hartford, posted a message online making the closure official. The Blue Back Square location opened in April 2008. A new, upscale Italian food concept by Ridgefield-based Gallo Restaurant Group is slated to open soon in the space, it was announced.
Stacy Parkinson, owner of West Hartford’s Rizzuto’s, said the restaurant “has had a great run over the last 14 years," but the pandemic proved challenging.
"We thank the Town of West Hartford for its help over the years," Parkinson said. "Its flexibility during the pandemic has been helpful. And we thank the current owners and management of Blue Back Square. Their help during the pandemic allowed us to stay open for the last two years. Now they have found a new tenant, and provided us the opportunity to move on."
Parkinson said that the restaurant's general manger, Lyn Armington, recently died suddenly while on vacation, creating further challenges for the business.
Rizzuto’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant in Westport is unaffected by the closing, she said.
“Rizzuto’s Westport is separately owned and operated, and is in no way affiliated with Rizzuto’s West Hartford. Rizzuto’s Westport is not affected by this closing,” the announcement says.
Rizzuto’s Restaurant & Bar in West Hartford tapped several assistance programs during the pandemic, including receiving a total $515,545 from two separate Paycheck Protection Program loans. It also received a $760,990 Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant, according to the Hartford Courant.
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