Buon Amici in New Town closed for Labor Day and did not reopen but a new restaurant will soon open in its place.
Hogarth’s Bar & Bistro, which will feature affordable comfort and bar food, will replace it and is likely to open as soon as next week.
Catherine Upton, the director of Meals on Wheels and director of New Town Marketing, co-owns the new restuarant with her fiancé, Chris Hogarth. The restaurant draws on Hogarth’s roots. He grew up in England, where Upton said he was accustomed to visiting pubs and small bistros where diners gathered to get to know one another. That atmosphere is what Upton and Hogarth are trying create in their new restaurant.
“I think when you have a business in an urban development, it’s important to build your community around you,” Upton said.
She went on to say she is a homeowner in New Town and sees the importance in having a community aspect in a restaurant, which she felt Buon Amici had.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of being a business owner in New Town and I’m looking forward to meeting new people,” Upton said.
For many nights, Upton and Hogarth found community and comfort at Buon Amici. When former owners Tony and Denise Berardi — who also own Tony’s All American Grill next door to Buon Amici — decided to close the restaurant, Upton saw it as an opportunity and she swooped in.
Tony Berardi declined to comment on the reasons for Buon Amici’s sudden closure earlier this week.
Because the Buon Amici staff was left unemployed following the closure, Upton offered those who wanted a position at Hogarth’s Bar & Bistro the opportunity to work at the new restaurant. A good portion of the staff is returning, she said, and she wants to open soon to return their flow of income. A date has not been set for the opening, though it is expected to open next week.
Upton said the restaurant is beautiful as-is, so there will be no remodeling; she said the patio dining area is also perfect as-is and may play host to musical performances and wine dinners in the future.
