Chowder Pot of Hartford announces last day of business

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - The Chowder Pot of Hartford said it will be serving its last guests in the coming months.

The restaurant said that after nearly 30 years, it will be closing the location on Saturday, March 25:

It cited the age, size and constant amount of work needed to maintain a building of its size.

“The building originally opened in 1965 as Valle’s Steak House,” the restaurant said in a statement. “It was then the Hilltop Steakhouse before being sold again and reopening as the USS Chowder Pot IV in 1994. After almost 60 years and millions of customers, the location is showing its age.”

Chowder Pot also said that new businesses want to make the property their home.

“Fried chicken. Their fried fish. Their lobster. It’s very nice and the workers are very nice,” said Beverly Samuels, a customer.

According to city documents, a cannabis company by the name of Insa CT LLC is looking into the property.

The plan is to renovate and create a state-of-the-art place for marijuana cultivation, propagation, cloning, and vegetative growth. But first the company will need to get a special permit from city officials.

“We have decided the right decision is to sell at this time,” it said. “We will continue to sell our delicious soups in area supermarkets as we take some time to weigh our options and decide where and in what form the Chowder Pot will pop up as next.”

The business said it would provide an update on an actual closing date when it sets one.

“We hope to see you again at least one more time in the coming months,” it said.

Since releasing their first statement, they say the response and number of customers has been more than they could have imagined.

They also updated customers on their closing date saying they will not be closing until the end of March.

They apologized for any difficulty getting a table as they do their best to staff and supply the restaurant appropriately.

“We appreciate your support and understanding,” they said.

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