Skip to main content Turn off refresh

Recommended

The downtown lights in Ridgefield are on and shoppers are out, but a virtual ceremony to officially turn on the lights is planned Friday, Nov. 27, at 5:45 p.m., available on a variety of electronic media.

Ridgefield tree lighting ceremony will be virtual Friday

This photo depicts a part of a U.S. $100 bill. The annual Ridgefield tri-board meeting, at which town and school official gather for a look at the budget situation in the town, is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17, starting at 7 p.m. via a Zoom link.

Ridgefield tri-board meeting will look at finances

Suzanne Brennan, executive director of Lounsbury House, thanks Branch Manager Antony Tokarr of M&T Bank for the bank’s support of Ridgefield’s historic community center. As a nonprofit, Lounsbury House relies on community support to help with operations, maintenance and ongoing preservation. For more information on preservation efforts, call 203-438-6962.

Lounsbury House receives donation from M&T Bank

Sal Bagliavio and Frank Candullo, Bailey’s Backyard masked pizza duo, in front of the restaurant’s new mobile pizza oven.

Bailey’s Backyard now offering pizza pop up catering

Patrick Butler

Reynolds + Rowella welcomes new tax partner

Believe Inspire Grow (B.I.G.) will host a virtual meeting Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 12:30-2 p.m.

B.I.G. meeting: How industries have pivoted and evolved

The entrance to the Keeler Tavern Museum in Ridgefield.

Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center receives education grant

Tax incentive renewed

Ridgefield’s ECDC (Economic & Community Development Commission) created a 40-question online survey for Ridgefield business owners.

Survey reveals mix of hope and worry among businesses

Dr. F. Scott Gray and Dr. Matthew Rogell

Gray, Rogell join Somers Orthopedics

News // Business

40+ CT businesses that opened in 2022

Dec. 23, 2022

From left, chef Bion “BG” Green, founder and owner Har’rell Chisolm and franchisee Darrell Tyson gather at the new The Sleeping Potato at The SoNo Collection in Norwalk, Conn. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. — 1of6
From left, chef Bion “BG” Green, founder and owner Har’rell Chisolm and franchisee Darrell Tyson gather at the new The Sleeping Potato at The SoNo Collection in Norwalk, Conn. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022.
Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

Michinobu Yasumoto, president and CEO of J. Press parent company, Onward Holdings, center, cuts the ribbon for the 120th anniversary of J. Press and the grand opening of the flagship men's clothier at 262 Elm Street in New Haven on October 13, 2022. Holding the ribbon from left are Alder Alex Guzhnay, Lauren Zucker, associate vice president and director of New Haven Affairs at Yale and director of University Properties, Richard Press, former president and grandson of founder Jacobi Press, Jun Murakami, president and CEO of J. Press, and Robert Squillaro, chief merchandising officer for J. Press. The two-story retail location includes a full-service tailor shop, administrative offices and an e-commerce distribution center. — 5of6Michinobu Yasumoto, president and CEO of J. Press parent company, Onward Holdings, center, cuts the ribbon for the 120th anniversary of J. Press and the grand opening of the flagship men's clothier at 262 Elm Street in New Haven on October 13, 2022. Holding the ribbon from left are Alder Alex Guzhnay, Lauren Zucker, associate vice president and director of New Haven Affairs at Yale and director of University Properties, Richard Press, former president and grandson of founder Jacobi Press, Jun Murakami, president and CEO of J. Press, and Robert Squillaro, chief merchandising officer for J. Press. The two-story retail location includes a full-service tailor shop, administrative offices and an e-commerce distribution center.Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

Although many Connecticut businesses said goodbye in 2022, more restaurants, venues and shops opened their doors this past year. The openings follow a year of recovery for Connecticut's businesses sector, as the state saw a 20% increase in business registrations in 2021, according to CT Data Collaborative. The average annual growth increase in the previous decade was 5%.

More stores and restaurants are expected to open in 2023, especially with Gov. Lamont investing more into small business growth.

Here are some businesses that opened in Connecticut this past year:

Cafés and Bakeries

Owners of Mad Coffee Roasters Joe and Denise Harvey — Owners of Mad Coffee Roasters Joe and Denise Harvey
Sarah Kyrcz / For Hearst Connecticut Media

Aroma Joe's, Bristol

opened in April

The Juice Co., Branford

opened in April

Mad Coffee Roasters, Old Saybrook

opened in May

Old Mill Grocery & Deli, Westport

Bloom Bake Shop, Hartford

opened in August

WeHa Brewing & Roasting Co., West Hartford

opened in October

Sift Bake Shop, Niantic

opened in October

Likkle Patty Shop, Windsor

opened in November

Duby's Bagels & Bakery, Old Saybrook

opened in December

Shops

Christian Siriano poses at The Collective West, in Westport, Conn. July 28, 2022. — Christian Siriano poses at The Collective West, in Westport, Conn. July 28, 2022.Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

Michaels Jewelers, Norwalk

opened in March

Lillian August, Norwalk

opened in April

CT's first breast milk dispensary, Glastonbury

opened in April

Tabitha's Ice Cream, Fairfield

Folklore Flower Co., Madison

Chocolatieree, Westport

J.Press, New Haven

The Two Oh Three, Fairfield

opened around June

The Collective West, Westport

West Hartford Apothecary, West Hartford

opened around August

HomeGoods, Ridgefield

opened in September

The Little Shop, Chester

opened in September

Possible Futures bookstore, New Haven

opened around September

Key Food supermaket, East Hartford

opened in October

Saugatuck Provisions, Westport

opened in November

River Bend Bookshop, West Hartford

opened in November

Entertainment

Brewery owners Frank and Jaimie Lockwood are the creative team behind Greenwood Features, a sequel to the former Bethel Cinema. — Brewery owners Frank and Jaimie Lockwood are the creative team behind Greenwood Features, a sequel to the former Bethel Cinema.
Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media

Madison Cinemas, Madison

reopened in January

Greenwood Features, Bethel

opened in February

Evolution AB, Fairfield

opened around July

CT Esports Academy, Norwalk

opened in August

Trinity Stretch Studios, Branford

opened in September

Coley House museum, Weston

reopened in October

Golf Lounge 18, Farmington

opened in November

Restaurants

The Cajun Boil seafood restaurant opened Feb. 25 on Winsted Road in Torrington. Owner Linh Duong, center, is joined by his waitresses and kitchen staff behind the bar. — The Cajun Boil seafood restaurant opened Feb. 25 on Winsted Road in Torrington. Owner Linh Duong, center, is joined by his waitresses and kitchen staff behind the bar.
Emily M. Olson / Hearst Connecticut Media

The Cajun Boil, Torrington

opened in February

Somos Handcrafted Arepas, Shelton

opened in April

1928 Cocktail Club, Branford

Chopt Creative Salad Co., Glastonbury

Puente Pub, Unionville

G-Monkey Plant-Fueled Fast Food, West Hartford

opened in June

Tri-It Taproom, Avon

Gargano Pasta & Italian Market, Old Saybrook

Oath Pizza, West Hartford

The Sleeping Potato, Norwalk

opened in August

Good Eats Restaurant & Bar, New Milford

opened in September

Otoulouse, Branford

opened in October

Tibetan Kitchen, New Haven

opened in October

Rosa Mexicano, West Hartford

opened in October

Plan b Burger Bar, Hartford

opened in November

Sally's Apizza, Fairfield

opened in December

Click here for more 2022 restaurant openings.