Alleged financial issues prompt closure of popular brunch spot ‘The Place 2 Be’

WEST HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - A popular brunch spot has closed several of their locations across Connecticut.

‘The Place 2 Be’ was allegedly buried in unpaid rent and tax issues, which prompted several closures.

As a result, the Department of Revenue Services suspended The Place 2 Be’s seller’s permit.

They put up a sign at the West Hartford location that said, ‘No sales can be transacted’.

Emily Begin was walking around Blueback Square with her baby when she saw the lights off at The Place 2 Be.

“I’m not surprised at all I’ve heard the chain has had some issues in the past so seeing they’re shut down didn’t shock me at all,” she said.

The phone would usually eat first at this popular brunch place.

They served aesthetic meals and drinks which often ended up on TikTok.

It was a Gen-Z foodie’s dream.

The Department of Revenue Services would not get into specific details, but said a sales tax permit, or a seller’s permit, is typically suspended because a business failed to comply with tax laws and regulations.

Issues with The Place 2 Be locations have been going on for over a year.

According to court documents, there were claims of thousands of dollars in unpaid rent at multiple locations.

Since then, there were closures in Hartford, New Haven, and an eviction in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The only location which remained open was on Franklin Avenue in Hartford.

However, that branch was converted into a bakery.

Court documents allege The Place 2 Be in Blueback Square, “failed to pay rent for October and November 2024″.

The paperwork also said that the tenant “refuses to evacuate”.

Documents also showed the owner agreed to leave the property by March of next year.

However, the business had their sales tax permit suspended before that could happen.

Customers were not happy about these closures.

“Definitely it will impact the foot traffic because people come from other areas to come to The Place 2 Be,” said Begin.

“You’ve [got to] play by the rules I guess,” added another local.

Back in 2022, The Place 2 Be announced a new location was opening in Dallas, but Channel 3 was told that hasn’t happened yet.

Channel 3 reached out to the owner Gina Luari, but did not receive a response.