Local entrepreneur Bob Potter is bringing one of his highly successful New Haven restaurants to town. Potter recently signed with Colonial Properties to lease 464 Boston Post Road, the site of the former Jacob Marley’s Restaurant Michael Richetelli, president of Colonial Properties said.{{more}}
“This will be the second PRIME 16 location, with the original remaining on Temple Street in New Haven.,” Richetelli said.
He praised Potters track record of restaurant expertise.
“Bob Potter is an experienced restaurateur, who also owns and operates C.O. Jones and the Meatball House
in
New Haven. For his latest venture
in Orange, he is partnering with Jon Bara, who has an extensive corporate restaurant background,” Richetelli said. Bara is relocating from Boston in the near future to focus on Orange Potter said.
Potter said he is looking forward to having one of his restaurants in his backyard. He said he is a resident of Milford.
“PRIME 16 has a good following. I think it’s a good concept for
Orange,” Potter said.
He said it is also a good family restaurant with moderately priced food.
Potter said the restaurant will feature a large selection of beer on tap.
“There isn’t a really good beer focused restaurant in the area. We will have 30 beers on tap,” Potter said adding the Temple Street location has 20 on tap.
Economic Development Director Paul Grinner said he thought PRIME 16 would be a good fit in town.
“We don’t have anything like this in Orange. What’s nice is the place he’s moving into has a recent history of not doing well in this spot. But this well-known restaurant is a great thing for the town,” Grimmer said.
First Selectman Jim Zeoli was pleased to learn of the new business.
“It’s great to know another large square foot vacant space has been leased. That site faced difficult hurdles since Jacob Marley’s closed. I am looking forward to dining there soon,” Zeoli said.
Grimmer echoed Zeoli.
“I’m certain the town will also show this establishment and its owners respect by frequenting it,” Grimmer said.
Richetelli said Potter and Bara plan to renovate the space before opening in May.
“They are infusing a significant amount of capital into the space in order to brand this location as a PRIME 16; we anticipate it being a landmark Orange restaurant for years to come, just as Marley’s was.”
Potter said the layout will remain the same.
“It’s in good shape but we don’t want to just throw a coat of paint on the walls. There will be plenty of tables and booths,” Potter said.
Since January other businesses have opened in town.
They include The Grind Baseball & Softball Training Facility- 83 Boston Post Road, Annamarie Amore Interiors Flooring Specialist, LLC ,507 Boston Post Road and Geico Insurance in the Peck and Post Plaza. That office is headed by Neil Feigl.
Bart Ravezzi is the new owner of the Corner Pocket Café. He plans to update the kitchen, bring in more pool tables, add darts and change the music.
A warm welcome to all the new businesses.
Bridget can be reached at editor@theorangetimes.com. Follow her on Twitter: @totbalbert / facebook Bridget AlbertTot.