Economic development in downtown Waterbury just got sweeter with the announcement that Dottie’s Diner, the creator of the best doughnut in Connecticut, is opening up a second restaurant at 146 Grand Street. The official announcement came from Mayor Neil O’Leary’s office this morning, and the mayor and economic development director Ron Pugliese will hold a press conference this afternoon at 1:30 pm at the location on Grand Street, directly across from the post office. The public is invited to attend the event.
Dottie’s Diner, formerly Phillip’s — a Woodbury institution since 1930 — is scheduled to officially open on September 24, 2012, Dottie’s II will be initially be serving breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. From omelets to their famous old-fashioned chicken potpie, the menu will provide wide appeal. For five years in a row Dottie’s Diner’s doughnuts were voted #1 in the state by Connecticut Magazine. Known for a comfortable, family atmosphere, Phillip’s was purchased by Dorie and Ken Sperry in 2006, when it became Dottie’s Diner. The Sperry’s spent a combined twenty-two years at the Mayflower Inn in Washington, CT, where they met sixteen years ago.
Downtown Waterbury has been lacking a traditional breakfast and lunch restaurant. The opening of Dottie’s II represents another win for the central business district, and shows that the city’s economic development efforts are paying off.