Downtown adding space for sit-down restaurants

BRISTOL — Sit-down restaurants will be a major component of downtown revitalization strategies according to Mayor Jeff Caggiano and city economic development.

Caggiano said that the By Carrier project, a 76,000 square foot development on North Main and Hope Street, will include four pre-dedicated spaces for restaurants. The city hopes to attract sit-down restaurants to fill these spaces once they become available.

“We need to attract guests for sit-down dining establishments downtown,” said Caggiano. “Route 6 will be for more fast-casual dining like Chipotle.”

Justin Malley, the city’s economic development director, said that he wants the city to attract as many restaurant options as the community can support.

“We know our residents would like to have more options,” he said. “It’s not a case of them not being happy with what we have, but residents have talked to us about wanting more options.”