Two Denny’s restaurants closed abruptly in the past few weeks, one in Enfield and a subsequent site in Vernon, without warning to local officials or customers.
When the first restaurant closed last month in Enfield, a sign was posted on the door directing customers to other Denny’s restaurants in the state, including the Vernon location.
Then the Vernon site closed last week. Denny’s has also closed restaurants in Wethersfield and West Haven, according to media reports.
Both Enfield Town Manager Ellen Zoppo-Sassu and Vernon Director of Economic Development Shaun Gately said they were not given any advance notice that either restaurant would be closing.
Both locations had the same operator, Zoppo-Sassu and Gately said, with Gately adding that “it was a complete surprise” to the landlord of the Vernon property, as well.
It is not clear when Denny’s employees were made aware that their jobs were eliminated.
“I’m still searching for more information on it myself,” Gately said, but he is looking to bring a new business to the prime location on Route 83 in the Tri City Plaza.
“The town will work with the property owner to make sure the process is as seamless as possible,” he said, including helping them raze the building if needed.
Gately said that any retail business that wants to open in that busy location would have to meet Vernon’s zoning regulations.
Zoppo-Sassu noted that despite the mall, there are few retail vacancies in Enfield, and the Elm Street corridor where the Denny’s was located is “vibrant.” It shouldn’t be difficult to find a new business to replace the restaurant, she said.
“There’s a lot of interest in the area,” she said, adding that the town is also working to repurpose the Enfield Square Mall across the street.
Denny’s had a business model where it’s restaurants were open 24-hours-a-day, often becoming a landing spot for night owls after other establishments closed.
“They really had a hold on that market,” Zoppo-Sassu said, but reducing hours during the COVID-19 pandemic may have had an impact on the company’s brand, she said.
Denny’s spokeswoman Sara Soto said the restaurant chain regularly reviews its footprint with its franchisees “to make sure the restaurant meets the needs of the business owner and the local community.”
“Deciding to close a restaurant is never an easy decision, but we are committed to making the transition as seamless as possible for our restaurant employees by working with them to secure employment at our nearby restaurant locations,” Soto said. “While our restaurants in Vernon and Enfield are closing, we will continue to welcome guests to locations in Hartford and Springfield.”
