A nice cold bottle of Champagne dribbled away into the dirt on Thursday afternoon, smashed against the side of a new “vegan sports bar” hoping to bring some fizz to the Chapel West business district.
Likening his new business, the Cannon, to a ship setting off on its maiden voyage, owner Kevin McKenzie swung the bottle with a smile. The establishment is named after the logo of his favorite soccer team, London’s Arsenal Football Club.
Despite the relative dearth of soccer fans in New Haven, the city has been welcoming to the Cannon and business has been brisk, the owners said.
“We appreciate that New Haven is really our community, a helping-hands community and an all-inclusive community,” said co-owner Tessa Davis. “That is ultimately the environment that we’ve wanted to foster since we opened the doors.”
Located in a former dry cleaning store at 135 Dwight near Chapel, the Cannon offers soccer on the screens, craft beer in cans and plant-based bar food like seitan reubens and broccoli rabe sliders. Chef Skyller Melton brings his experience at New Haven restaurants Heirloom and Ordinary to the menu, adding touches like hand-cut fries and nachos with lentils and chickpeas.
“I hope you enjoy the food that you eat, I hope you enjoy the drinks you have and the fellowship and the community that we’re trying to instill in the neighborhood,” Melton said.
That neighborhood, Chapel West, is anticipating a string of new businesses after some high-profile closures in recent years due to retirement and pandemic stressors. Shuttered eateries in the area include Miya’s Sushi and Four Flours Baking Company.
Signs of renewal include a kosher bakery slated to open soon on Chapel and another businesses in the planning stages. The Cannon is a sign of the district’s ongoing recovery, city officials said.
“We have this really cool, very unique restaurant right in the middle of our district,” said Anthony Giano, operations manager for the Chapel West Special Services District. “I want to welcome you guys.”
Citywide, business openings continue to outpace closings even as pandemic issues delay some renovation plans, New Haven Business Development Director Carlos Eyzaguirre said. The Cannon’s own opening was delayed – although the sign out front reads “2021,” the restaurant didn’t actually welcome its first patrons until this March.
“It’s something we really want to acknowledge – the perseverance that you guys showed to get this place open,” Eyzaguirre said. “You will be on the vanguard here on Dwight Street; I think it really will be a trailblazer.”
Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com.
