A new consignment shop and a small restaurant will be opening in March just a couple blocks apart on Bantam Road in Litchfield.

The plans for Chowderheads Restaurant at 583 Bantam Road and The Emporium of Litchfield at 624 Bantam Road were approved last week by the Litchfield Planning and Zoning Commission.

The Emporium of Litchfield will open March 1, according to owner Patricia Holland of Litchfield.  It will feature five rooms of high-end used and new merchandise, including clothing, small furniture, and equestrian supplies.

Chowderheads will open March 6, said owner Amy Hofmann of Morris.  The restaurant will offer homemade soups in bread bowls and salads to eat in or take-out.  For the past 18 years, Hofmann has been selling her New England clam chowder at local country fairs.

Despite the economy, both women said the timing was right to open their businesses.

“More and more people are shopping in consignment stores,” Holland said Monday.  It’s a way for people to buy and sell quality items at reasonable prices. 

“It’s not going to be like a thrift shop,” said Holland. “We’re going to be very selective about what we carry.” The emporium will have rooms dedicated to kitchenwares; books, music CDs and antique furnishings; men’s and women’s clothing, and tack supplies.

“There are no tack stores in this area,” Holland said.

The Litchfield Emporium also will exhibit local art.

“We’re inviting artists, artisans, and crafts people to come in and show their works,” she said.

Originally, Holland planned to open the store with her childhood friend Barbara Capuano of Torrington.  Last year, Capuano died of pancreatic cancer.

“It gave me the impetus to do this,” Holland said.  She’s encouraged by the early response to her plans.

“Everyone has been very excited, enthused, and eagerly waiting for me to open the shop,” she said.

At Chowderheads, the menu will feature four soups each day and salads, Hofmann said.  Her soups will be served in eatable bowls made from French boule.  On weekends, she plans to offer lobster bisque specials. 

The 600-square-foot restaurant will seat 8-10 people. It is located in the former hair salon next door to Three Oaks Chocolatier.

Hofmann said she decided to open the restaurant based on customer requests.
“Everybody at the fairs has asked for it,” she said.  “It’s time.”

She previously sold her New England clam chowder at country fairs in Goshen, Harwinton, Bethlehem, Riverton, and Durham. 

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