A “soft opening” in June at a Seymour pizza restaurant and pub was anything but, its owner reported at the business’ grand opening Friday (Aug. 7).
Oxford’s Phil Pedros said patrons stood five deep at the bar inside American Pie & Pub in the Klarides Village Shopping Center to sample thin-crust pizza, wings, and the pub’s 24 beers on tap.
On Friday Pedros of Oxford, manager Frank DelMastro of Shelton and the staff marked the official grand opening of the restaurant.
DelMastro said he has had 25 years experience in the restaurant business. The pub has 20 employees, he said.
On hand to help cut the symbolic ribbon outside the business — former site of a CVS/pharmacy — were local officials and members of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Bill Purcell, President of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, congratulated Pedros on the new restaurant.
He said Pedros was “building on his background as a builder, a realtor, and an entrepreneur” by opening the pub.
“What a great formula, pizza, music, soft drinks for the kids, and other drinks for big kids,” Purcell said.
He said ribbon cuttings in Klarides Shopping Center have become “habit forming” because of the openings of the Route 67 Family Diner and Balance Fitness in the past year.
Seymour Economic Development Director Fred A. Messore praised the said the pub is “a good complement to the co-tenants” in the plaza.
Seymour Deputy First Selectwoman Nicole Klarides-Ditria, who manages Klarides Village Shopping Center, welcomed the business.
She said Pedros “did a great job” in renovating the building.
“I hope (you) have a long relationship with our family, our town, and our plaza,” she told Pedros.
Klarides-Ditria’s sister, state Rep. Themis Klarides, House Republican Leader, wished Pedros luck.
She said she had “the utmost respect” for anyone who opens a business in Connecticut.
“It’s an uphill battle,” Klarides said.
Info
American Pie & Pub is located at 15 Klarides Village Drive, off Route 67 (Bank Street).
Click here for the business’ Facebook page.
The phone number is 203 – 828-6973.
Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday.
Click here to see a menu.
