Richter’s Deal Fizzles

Richter’s Cafe is back on the market now that a downtown bar owner has abandoned plans to revamp the historic pub.

The legendary tap room at 990 Chapel St. has been on the market for a few weeks, according to local realtor Jeff Dow. Taft Intermediate LLC, which owns the Taft Apartments and the bar space, hired Dow to find a new tenant.

The bar, which dates back to 1858, has been closed since June of 2011.

The new search comes after John Ginnetti (pictured opening Richter’s in a December tour), a co-owner of the bar 116 Crown, dropped his plans to revamp Richter’s in line with its historic tradition.

Ginnetti signed a lease on the property, then was evicted earlier this year for nonpayment of rent, according to attorney Joshua Brown, who represented the landlord in court.

“I think he just ran out of money,” Brown said.

Brown said Ginnetti and his partners left on friendly terms. ​“They allowed us to evict them without a fight.”

Ginnetti and his lawyer declined comment for this story.

The fizzled plans leave the future of the Chapel Street institution back up in the air.

Dow, president of Dow Realty, said he’s looking for a new tenant to return the space to its historic use as a pub.

“We have several very qualified interested parties. We’ve had many showings,” including people from New Haven and out-of-state, he said.

Next door, Yale is bringing in the popular burger chain Shake Shack to fill a long-abandoned space.

In a tour of the Richter’s space last December, Ginnetti said the building needed major infrastructure repairs in order to get a full kitchen up and running.

Dow said Ginnetti made no improvements to the building before his departure. He downplayed the need for renovation.

“Any time you go into a new space, there’s going to be work to be done,” Dow said Monday.

“What’s unique about the former Richter’s is there’s some priceless woodwork plus the atmosphere to the place,” he added.

“It’s a landmark bar location with a rich history in the city of New Haven. … It’s a great opportunity for somebody.”

Richter Elser, who reopened the pub in Jan. 6, 1983 after a decade of darkness, said he still has all the old oars and memorabilia from the walls of the pub in storage, waiting to be reinstalled. Ginnetti had struck a deal with him to bring them back as part of the bar’s revival.

The 23-point moose Elser’s grandad shot in 1908 remains hanging on the wall of the pub.

Elser remained optimistic that the moose would again find human company.

“Ultimately, someone will reopen [the bar],” he said. ​“It’s just not a simple, quick, straightforward transition because it’s an awkward space.”

“People who are hoping to get it as a turnkey business will be disappointed,” he said, but people who are willing to give the building ​“TLC” will do well.

“It’s just a matter of finding the right person,” he said.