by | Mar 13, 2025 3:16 pm | Comments (9)
Atticus expansion rendering, now rendered obsolete.
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) unanimously rejected Atticus Market’s bid to build a second bathroom at its East Rock grocery and convenience store — citing concerns that the proposed 600-square-foot addition would be “incongruous with the neighborhood.”
by | Mar 11, 2025 4:44 pm | Comments (10)
Maya McFadden File Photo
Coordinated Food Assistance Network (CFAN) volunteers prepare food bags in August 2023.
President Donald Trump’s administration has officially canceled an expected $800,000 in federal funding designated in October to Connecticut Foodshare, the state’s primary food bank.
Continue reading ‘Trump Defunds Food Pantry, Local Farm Grant’
by | Mar 7, 2025 12:04 pm | Comments (3)
Jisu Sheen photo
Ana De Los Angeles and Miguel Trelles en route from Gateway to Manjares.
A new generation, an arts opening, and Latin-serenaded tapas.
by | Mar 6, 2025 10:41 am | Comments (0)
Using levers to get exactly the right note.
Jisu Sheen photos
Umut Yasmut brings the kanun to RAWA, all the way from New York.
As Umut Yasmut filled the dining area of Westville’s Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fusion restaurant RAWA with cascading melodies, the New York musician said that his instrument, an intricately carved stringed creation, did not exist.
by | Mar 4, 2025 8:29 am | Comments (6)
Maya McFadden File Photo
At January's Local 217 rally at Gateway Center.
Pay raises laid out in the new four-year deal.
The Board of Education unanimously approved a new contract for the school district’s cafeteria workers union that includes a $6‑per-hour raise over four years and stepped-up training for lead cooks.
by | Mar 4, 2025 8:28 am | Comments (1)
by | Feb 28, 2025 4:37 pm | Comments (44)
Abbey Kim photo
Antonio Portillo presents demand letter alongside ULA members.
(Updated) A pay dispute at a downtown restaurant ended with a manager threatening to call immigration authorities — and pro-immigration activists showing up to demand respect.
Continue reading ‘Manager Threatens To Call Immigration On Ex-Worker’
by | Feb 27, 2025 2:05 pm | Comments (10)
Sam Gurwitt File Photo
Food pantry $$ in flux.
Connecticut’s primary food bank is preparing to lose at least $800,000 in federal funding, as food pantries and soup kitchens across the city brace for a dual storm of federal budget slashes and an expected rise in hunger.
by | Feb 26, 2025 2:14 pm | Comments (7)
Thomas Breen file photo
I-91 diner, under new ownership.
A gas station development crew from Trumbull and the Bronx has purchased the I‑91 diner site for $1.225 million — as a neighbor seeks to stop the burgers-to-fuel conversion through a state court appeal.
by | Feb 13, 2025 9:28 am | Comments (30)
Zachary Groz photo
Atticus Market: Another bathroom to come?
Rendering of proposed addition, as viewed from Linden.
A group of East Rock neighbors are raising a stink about Atticus Market’s plan to tack on a new 600-square foot structure to the grocery and convenience store to make way for another bathroom.
by | Feb 10, 2025 4:38 pm | Comments (16)
Thomas Breen photo
Looking through the Chapel Street window glass at an empty Elm City Market, last October.
An independent, full-service grocery store will be moving into the old Elm City Market space on the ground floor of 360 State St. this spring.
by | Feb 7, 2025 7:49 pm | Comments (7)
Colin Caplan: Ready to set a new Guinness World Record.
DATTCO Pizza bus, at Friday’s shindig.
The effort to canonize pizza as the heart of Connecticut’s cultural life continued apace Friday morning, with local connoisseurs and state politicos in attendance on Crown Street to announce a host of ah-beetz events in the works — including a pizza party of world record-setting proportions.
by | Feb 6, 2025 11:34 am | Comments (1)
by | Feb 6, 2025 10:15 am | Comments (7)
Chris Randall Photos
The main dish.
While some customers wary of ICE raids stayed home, Alexis Ramirez was as usual marinating sliced pork shoulder in a blend of dried chiles, achiote, pineapple juice, and spices.
by | Jan 28, 2025 10:00 am | Comments (0)
by | Jan 27, 2025 9:40 am | Comments (6)
Abbey Kim photo
NICE Director Rasheed: “People know we’ll be here and won’t fail them.”
Sacred Heart University student Pavan Morla and his three roommates showed up to the Howard Avenue police substation just before noon — to pick up apples, tomatoes, cheese, and milk, at a food pantry that has been serving the Hill for nearly a decade.
Continue reading ‘Free Food Flies Off The Shelves At Hill Pantry’
by | Jan 21, 2025 4:33 pm | Comments (14)
Thomas Breen photos
Sodas and energy drinks, not allowed ...
... cigarettes and vaping products, still allowed, at 864 Whalley.
A “Not For Sale” sign remains taped to the top of a beverage case filled with Monster energy drinks, Powerade and Diet Coke at the Grab n’ Go Market in Westville Village — where city zoners recently rejected Mohammed Ababneh’s bid to sell soda and prepackaged food in addition to vaping products and cigarettes.
by | Jan 17, 2025 8:58 pm | Comments (10)
Allan Appel photo
Mikhila Pingili and Carlos Eyzaguirre at Friday's renovation ribbon cutting.
When Stop & Shop announced last year the planned closing of what turned out to be 32 stores across five states, city economic officials and the Greater Dwight Development Corporation (GDDC) went into action.
Their aim: To make sure the Whalley Avenue supermarket, an anchor for the community, would not be on the list.
The advocacy paid off, and on Friday morning, GDDC Assistant Director Mikhila Pingili and Deputy Economic Development Administrator Carlos Eyzaguirre were on hand along with Stop & Shop brass — not just to celebrate that the 150 Whalley Ave. store remained open, but also to cut the ribbon on an extensive renovation.
by | Jan 9, 2025 7:10 pm | Comments (7)
Maya McFadden File Photo
At 54 Meadow: "We are the union... the mighty, mighty union!"
Vereen: "I really didn't think it was going to take this long."
After a full day of preparing students’ meals, John C. Daniels School lead cafeteria cook Latasha Vereen added a coat and scarf to her uniform and headed to the school district’s headquarters — to rally for a new contract and a living wage for public school food service workers.
by | Jan 9, 2025 12:35 pm | Comments (1)
Continue reading ‘Lalibela Turns 25 -- & Shares Its Kosta Secret’
by | Dec 23, 2024 4:25 pm | Comments (4)
Laura Glesby Photo
King, Ivy, and Kiara show off their new toys.
“I don’t put up a tree,” said Paula Pouncey. “I stopped buying presents.” She wasn’t planning to do anything for Christmas.
Then Hill Alder Angel Hubbard left a flyer by her front door.
Continue reading ‘How Angel Brought Back Christmas In The Hill’
by | Dec 16, 2024 11:14 am | Comments (6)
David Sepulveda Photo
At last call at Soul De Cuba, with Frank Brady and Tea Montgomery.
After more than 20 years of serving Cuban cuisine and culture on the corner of High and Crown Streets, Soul de Cuba will be offering only catering and take out services for the next few days before going dark on Dec. 22.
by | Dec 12, 2024 2:22 pm | Comments (17)
Maya McFadden photos
Jasanea Hernandez (left): A fair contract will "send a powerful message to our children about the value of hard work and dedication."
Local 217 in the house: "You want order, we want to eat!"
Amid contract negotiations, dozens of New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) cafeteria staffers called on the school district to pay them livable wages so they can keep their own stomachs full as they work to feed students.
by | Dec 11, 2024 8:14 am | Comments (0)
by | Nov 25, 2024 9:50 am | Comments (0)
