Bar None, a new bar on Elizabeth Street in Derby, will have its grand opening on Saturday night (Aug. 13). Valley band “One Jack Move” will be playing. You can get a sneak peak at a soft opening tonight (Aug. 12) at 4 p.m.
The Valley Indy sat down with new bar owner, Ed Platt, to get the scoop on the new venture, and what people can expect from the bar.
Valley Indy: How did you come to open this bar?
Platt: I actually came from Health Net. I was there for 15 years. Because of the layoffs they had, I basically thought it would be a good time to start my own business. I’m going to continue to search for a job as a call center director, what I did at Health Net. I’ve thought about doing something like this for a few years now. And the opportunity presented itself, so I’m taking a shot. I’ve never done anything like this before.
Valley Indy: Have you worked at a restaurant before?
Platt: Years ago I was a dishwasher. And I bartended for a couple years.
Valley: Where did you do that?
Platt: Bartender at Cuppy’s in Shelton. And I was a dishwasher at the old — it’s not even there any more — 8 Acres Inn on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton.
Valley: So this is a completely different field for you. What do you anticipate with this change of venue?
Platt: My experience is with service all my life. I’m a veteran, I was in the Navy. And when I left there I went to Health Net a few years later. I started in customer service.
My forte is service. And this is just a different aspect of it. I want to give it a shot. But I still want to continue my career as an operations leader.
Matt Krugel is going to be the manager.
He worked here for several years. And he was the chef for a restaurant in Hamden.
Valley Indy: Why this location?
Platt: I’m actually friends with the Staffieris who own the plaza and the building. And the opportunity just presented itself and I decided to take a shot at it.
Valley Indy: So your grand opening is tomorrow?
Platt: We’re going to have a band tomorrow night. But tonight is like a second soft opening. And unadvertised opening.
Valley Indy: A second soft opening?
Platt: We had friends and family here last week.
Valley Indy: Describe what you envision this bar to be — Is it going to be a sports bar, or more of a family restaurant?
Platt: A little bit of all of the above. It’s going to be sports themed, obviously. But I also want it to be a nice atmosphere where a family could have a dinner or a lunch. Local businesses could come in here for lunch. The courthouse being across the street, and City Hall being down the street, there’s a lot of traffic along Elizabeth Street that I’d like to attract for lunch and happy hour.
In the evening it’s going to be more of a night club atmosphere. We’ll have bands once in a while. We may have a country night. We’re trying to plan that out.
We’ll have dart leagues and we’ll have a pool table.
Valley Indy: What kind of food will you serve?
Platt: Wood-fire brick oven pizza. Hamburgers. Hot dogs. Sandwiches. All kinds of wings.
Valley Indy: So American fare?
Platt: Yeah. Sandwiches, salads, appetizers.
Valley Indy: Can you name a drink after the Valley Indy?
Platt: Sure. What would it be?
Valley Indy: What’s a good drink that the Valley Indy drink could be?
Platt: I’m not sure. Honestly, I don’t know.
Valley Indy: Yankees or Red Sox?
Platt: Me? Yankees. But I’ll try to stay neutral as best as possible.
Valley Indy: Red Raiders or Chargers? You live in Ansonia, but you’re opening a business in Derby.
Platt: I guess I should say Raiders.
Valley Indy: It’s a joke question. That’s a tricky question.
Platt: It’s high school. I hope they all do good.
About Ed
Age: 39
Hometown: grew up in Seymour and Shelton.
High School: Shelton High School class of 1989
Past Jobs: Joined the U.S. Navy in 1989, and served during the first Gulf War. Worked at Health Net for 15 years as a call center director.
Current Town: Ansonia
About Bar None
Hours:
Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Address: 87 Elizabeth St., Derby CT
Phone number: (203) 516‑5039
Website: barnonect.com
