Authentic New York-Style Deli Pub Coming to Middletown This Fall

Middletown will soon welcome two new businesses — a national closeout retailer and a New York-style deli from a well-known former pub owner.

The former A&P Super Foodmart building at 820 Washington Street already bears the Big Lots signage outside. The discount overstock chain with 12 Connecticut locations will open along Route 66 in Middletown on Sept. 13, according to a media relations representative.

And in the former Central News storefront at 195 Main Street, Keagan's Irish Pub owner Walter Stojak, whose Hair of the Dog Saloon in the North End reopened in the spring under a new name and menu, will launch the Pickle Stand Delicatessen and Pub along with his brother Lauren Rondinone.

The duo is planning an ambitious undertaking — one that may soon compete with Michael's Deli on Broad Street and Krust Pizza in the North End.

Stojak says his brother, who just retired after 22 years as a Connecticut State Police Trooper and has helped out for years at Hair of the Dog and then Keagan's, will serve, "all authentic, steamed meats."

Stojak says he renamed Hair of the Dog this spring because he wanted the place at 544 Main Street to be thought of as more than just a nightlife bar. "I've always done a tremendous amount of catering so we thought by changing the name it would give me a chance to expand the restaurant."

The Pickle Stand will be open at 6 a.m. for breakfast and serve lunch at noontime, then on Wednesday to Saturday nights, dinner will be available, including stone-fired personal gourmet pizzas.

Stojak says his "niche" will be the same as he's become known for at Keagan's: "we give you more for less; big beers, big drinks for less money."

Traditional New York deli items will be served, and diners will be able to enjoy beer or wine with their meal. The brothers are shooting for a Sept. 1 opening date.

In other business news, over at the former A&P Super Foodmart building at 820 Washington Street, national closeout retailer Big Lots will open along Route 66 in Middletown on Sept. 13, according to a media relations representative.

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