A popular country music bar formerly based in Milford and a new gourmet restaurant will open soon in downtown Ansonia.
Mustang Sally’s Saloon will occupy 370 E. Main St., the space vacated by Lanza’s Restaurant and Capri Lounge in October 2012.
Next door, The Pantry, a gourmet eatery, will open in 384 E. Main St. in the next couple of weeks, replacing Bravo Restaurant and Pizzeria, which closed last year.
The owners of both new businesses were optimistic Tuesday about their long-term plans.
Mustang Sally’s
Dennis Jordhamo, Mustang Sally’s owner, said Tuesday that his real estate agent found the Ansonia location last year and showed it to him.
“I had been checking the market for awhile to see what was available,” Jordhamo said. “Once we found that, saw the location, saw how the building was set up, we thought this will be an excellent building for what we want to do.”
“It has a big floor right in front of the stage, and already has a stage, which is great because we bring in a lot of live bands,” Jordhamo said, noting the building has a second floor with a bar that would make a perfect “VIP Room.”
He said he’ll be looking to hire 20 to 25 people to staff the new business.
Mustang Sally’s was previously located in locations on the Boston Post Road and Daniel Street in Milford.
The Daniel Street location closed in June 2012.
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Jordhamo said Tuesday that he’ll spend the next several weeks installing a new dance floor.
He said the business will feature an expanded menu, two bars, 16 beers on tap, darts, and pool tables.
“I think it’ll fit in,” Jordhamo said. “We’re a low-stress, blue-collar, working class bar. There’s a big country crowd, I’m certain we’ll do well there.”
An unscientific survey of Valley Indy readers seems to support his contention.
A Facebook post about the new business Monday morning garnered more than 100 “Likes” within about an hour.
Several noted the lack of a Valley night spot for fans of country music.
The thread also sparked a debate over whether the Oxford-Seymour area is “more country” than the rest of the lower Naugatuck Valley.
“Can’t wait about time there was a good country bar in the Valley,” said Joe Cavallaro.
“Woohoo can’t wait,” said Christine Lester.
“I’m excited to have them in Ansonia!” wrote Sandy Piccirillo. “I went to their Milford locations and loved it.”
Click here to check out the new business on Facebook.
The Pantry
Next door to the new Mustang Sally’s will be The Pantry, the brainchild of Oxford’s Joe Mastersanti, who currently owns We Can Do That Signs and Graphics on New Haven Avenue in Derby.
Mastersanti said The Pantry will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as host banquets and cater events.
The menu will be similar to Cafe Taste, a business which occupied the spot before Bravo.
A certified chef trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, Mastersanti said he jumped at the opportunity to take the space when he heard Bravo had closed.
“I saw the sign go up and I called that day,” Mastersanti said. “We love the space. It’s beautiful.”
He said the business plans a fixed price Valentine’s Day banquet next month featuring a band to really get things rolling.
He’s said his kitchen staff are all certified chefs trained at Rhode Island’s Johnson & Wales University, which has a leading culinary arts program, and he’s hired most of his wait staff as well.
A Facebook page for the business should be up soon, Mastersanti said.
He said the business will be a good fit for residents in the area.
“We’re looking to take them by storm,” Mastersanti said.
Vinnie Scarlata, the chairman of Ansonia’s Economic Development Commission, said the new businesses will add to the city’s stock of attractive restaurants downtown, including Crave, Koi, Antonio’s, Cafe 252, and Hot Tamale on nearby Main Street.
“This is going to be fun,” Scarlata said. “It’s a breath of fresh air right now.”
