Photo by Bill Bittar
At the ribbon cutting May 23 for The Hub in Ansonia.
ANSONIA — Clams casino, cheese and bacon ranch are among the wood-fired pizzas made in the oven at The Hub Pizza Bar, a new restaurant at 313 Main St.
Mayor David S. Cassetti joined a small gathering to celebrate the opening of the new business last week.
“The Hub is a welcome addition to our dining district here on Main Street,” Cassetti said.
The restaurant opening is the latest addition to a growing “restaurant row” along Main Street. Apartments are also being added.
In fact, the city’s planning and zoning commission recently granted approvals that will allow the upper floors of two office buildings — 158 and 200 Main St. — to be converted into apartments.
“That was part of my vision for Main Street Ansonia,” Cassetti said. “It’s becoming a reality and I’m very excited about the future of Ansonia.”
The Hub is owned and operated by John Migliore, of Shelton, and Derrick Lee, of Trumbull.
They also own 66 Church in Naugatuck and 75 Center in Southington.
“We had an opportunity and we took it,” Migliore said of opening The Hub in a vacant storefront on Main Street. “This is a great little drag. We like the space.”
An image from Facebook showing the cozy new pizza bar.
Cassetti said a clothing store that last occupied the space added a garage bay door by the main entrance. On Thursday it was open.
A sports channel played on two big screen TVs and flames were visible inside the pizza oven behind the bar.
“My partner wanted to do that concept for 20 years,” Migliore said of having a bar with a pizza oven. “He always wanted to do it. It’s a fun, easy concept.”
In addition to pizzas, The Hub has chicken wings and drinks, including beer and specialty cocktails.
The Hub has 15 employees, who wear red T‑shirts that say, “In Pizza We Trust” on the back and blue jeans.
The hours are Monday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 2 a.m. and Sunday from noon to 1 a.m.
An arcade machine near the bar has classic games like Pacman and a few feet from it, Sharon Voroschak, of Ansonia, played a table game called Loop-A-Ring.
“It’s really good,” she said of the dinner she had at The Hub one recent night, “and I just had fun playing this game all night.”
Though Thursday was the grand opening, Migliore said The Hub had a soft opening two weeks ago.
Among the local dignitaries at the grand opening were Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell, Greg Martin, director of Constituent Services; Board of Alderman President Lorie R. Vaccaro and Third Ward Alderman Joseph Cassetti.
The mayor did the honors of cutting the ribbon when the group gathered in front of the restaurant for pictures.
Purcell said The Hub complements the new apartments.
“You need people living here and wonderful places like this,” he said.
“This Main Street area is the hub for businesses, restaurants and an all-around fun place for Ansonia residents,” said Joseph Cassetti. “Opening The Hub today is a big step forward for folks looking for a decent place to have something to eat and drink. I’m glad they call this place The Hub, because this is where we’re all going to meet.”
“This is a cool place,” said Vaccaro. “It’s an oasis for downtown Ansonia. We love it. It’s going to be great. This adds to Ansonia’s dining district.”
