A signature offering at Dottie’s is their superb chicken pot pie. Photos by John Murray

    Economic development in downtown Waterbury just got sweeter with the opening of Dottie’s Diner II, the creator of the best doughnut in Connecticut, at 146 Grand Street.

   “I love these doughnuts,” Waterbury’s economic development director, Ron Pugliese said. “I bring a box of them into work every Wednesday.”

   Pugliese was instrumental in luring the restaurant downtown when he casually mentioned to the owners of the Woodbury landmark, Dottie’s Diner, if they might consider opening a second restaurant. As it turned out, Dorie and Ken Sperry were already considering expansion.

   “I was surprised and delighted at this result,” Pugliese said, “This is great for downtown Waterbury.”

   The Sperrys were introduced during a press conference in downtown Waterbury on August 7th, and Dorie Sperry – who went to high school with Mayor Neil O’Leary in Woodbury – said she is delighted to be coming to Waterbury.

   “There is a lot of excitement building in downtown Waterbury and we are happy to be a part of it,” Sperry said. “We think we are going to do very well in downtown.”

   Dottie’s II will 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 the readers of Connecticut Magazine.

  Known for a comfortable, family atmosphere, Phillip’s was purchased by the Sperrys in 2006, when it became Dottie’s Diner. The Sperrys spent a combined twenty-two years at the Mayflower Inn in Washington, CT, where they met sixteen years ago.

  The Sperrys have signed a lease with landlord, Artur Celaj, for five years, and will occupy 2000 square feet of space that will be transformed into a 1950s style diner. For anyone who has tasted their doughnuts, this is the sweetest economic news in Waterbury in some time.

Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary checked to see if Dorie Sperry was okay after the ribbon cutting in front of Dottie’s Diner II in downtown Waterbury. In all the excitement, Sperry had her left fingers pinched by the giant oversized ceremonial scissors. Looking on is Lynn Ward, the president and CEO of the Waterbury Chamber Of Commerce, and Ron Pugliese, the Economic Director for the City of Waterbury.

The award winning doughnuts are prominently displayed in the window, prompting many pedestrians to press their face against the glass for a closer peek.