“The underlying tone for these restaurants was [that] you can’t make it in the winter here in Niantic. You had to be seasonal. Now, you see restaurants thriving [year round],” president of the Board of Niantic Main Street Dan Walsh said.
Since 2021, seven new or revamped stores and restaurants have opened their doors to the growing number of locals, including three just this November.
“I always had my eye on this place tobe something great again…It’s always gonna be ever-changing. I’m not Constantine’s like before. I’m Constantine’s to pay homage to the people before me,” owner of the new Constantine’s
on The Bay in Niantic Christopher Herbert said. Mr. Herbert explained that Constantine’s, an American bistro has always been a Niantic favorite. His goal is to take the familiar name and build from there. There will be “elevated food, better ingredients, better presentations,” Mr. Herbert said. Constantine’s welcomed their first customers Nov. 3, and the opening was so successful that Mr. Herbert sold out of food in about three hours and had to close early.
“People expect quality. They expect a good experience, and that’s what we’re gonna try to provide,” Mr. Herbert said. Mr. Herbert recalls working at the Black Sheep for three years before he helped open La Llorona and took over as chef there. “My mom was always a great chef, so I’ve always loved food. We’re gonna have a lot of fun here,” Mr. Herbert said.
Mr. Herbert is not the only one jumping at the new opportunities Niantic has to offer. Cafe Sol owner Tabitha Miranda closed her doors for the last time at her 346 Main Street location Oct. 31 to relocate to the more spacious building on the corner at 488 Main Street. Nov. 1, Ms. Miranda held a “parade up the sidewalk” to Cafe Sol’s new home. Nearly 100 people joined with bags and wheelbarrows in hand to help move everything into the new building. At her new location, Ms. Miranda plans on keeping the same “funky” vibe while capitalizing off of the bigger space.
“I always have a good experience at Cafe Sol. It’s one of my favorites…I think their new location will be super popular,” junior Hope Dowling said.
The last new restaurant opening its downtown doors on Niantic Main Street this November is 374, previously Lillian’s Cafe. Former East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica and his family own 374, along with Flanders Fish and Crescent Beach Stand. 374 won’t be like the family’s other restaurants though, but rather a new concept with more of a “city” vibe, Mr. Formica’s daughter Alli Coleman said.
As for the menu they are trying to keep it under wraps until the offical open. Ms. Coleman plans on using her experiences as the general manager of a steakhouse in New York City to accomplish this task. Ms. Coleman and her sister, Olivia Formica will serve as the restaurant’s directors of operations.
Many have begun calling Niantic the new Mystic. Mr. Walsh has a different take on this. “I see Niantic as a more authentic and eclectic town. Nothing against Mystic at all, but it’s a different feel. I think this town is down to Earth,” Mr. Walsh said.
