Hartford Business Journal

18 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | August 15, 2022 (Above) Berlin Economic Development Director Chris Edge, Hop Haus owner Mike Miller, and Steele Center developer Tony Valenti at Hop Haus' Plainville location. A new Hop Haus will occupy most of the main floor of one building in Berlin's new Steele Center development. As residents begin moving in, Berlin's mixed-use Steele Center development lands gastropub as anchor tenant By Hanna Snyder Gambini hgambini@hartfordbusiness.com A Hop Haus gastropub and craft brewery restaurant will soon occupy the main floor of the new Steele Center mixed-use devel- opment in Berlin's burgeoning transit area. Hop Haus owner Mike Miller said the new Berlin location — his third in Connecticut — is under construction to custom design the space for his eatery. He's aiming for an early 2023 opening, with seating for 165 patrons, creating close to 18 new jobs. Above the Hop Haus are two floors with 16 market-rate apart- ments that are all leased and ready for occupancy this month. Miller said Berlin and Steele Center were the obvious choice for his new Hop Haus, a brand that offers unique eats in a casual atmosphere and always aims to "support local." "With this building, it's the perfect town, the perfect location for what we do, and Berlin takes care of Berlin," he said, referring to the support of patrons that he experiences at his other Hop Haus spots in Southington and Plainville. Miller believes in showcasing the work of small craft brewers, by offering 30 local beers on tap and another 40 selections in cans and bottles, along with craft cocktails. His selections are from Connecticut and New England, including Twelve Percent Beer Project in North Haven; Fat Orange Cat Brew Co., of East Hampton; Night Shift Brewing from Everett, Mass.; Alvarium Beer Company and Five Churches Brewing, both in New Britain; as well as Litchfield Distillery and a new Up Down bourbon out of Marlborough. His menu features local- ly-sourced meats, dairy and produce, he said. Steele Center developers Tony Valenti and Mark Lovely — partners in Lovely Develop- ment Inc. and Newport Realty Group — said Hop Haus is the first commercial tenant in their new mixed-use building. It's one of several developments in Newport's $17 million project planned for the Kensington Village Center/Berlin transit area. The developers said Miller's solid reputation and success with the Hop Haus line will attract other businesses and residents to the Steele Center complex. Berlin Economic Develop- ment Director Chris Edge said he sees the Hop Haus as a key player in his vision of a bustling residential and commercial area adjacent to the new Berlin train station on the Hartford Line. Nearby are Coles Road Brewing, Tavern on the Trax, Dairy Queen, and the Newport Center professional building with a salon, fitness center and local coffee shop across the street. Berlin is building up areas where people can "live, work and play," with easy access to retail shops, restaurants and transpor- tation right outside their doors, Edge said. The Hop Haus will occupy two-thirds of the main floor of Steele Center's first building. It will also have an 800-square-foot patio that faces busy Farmington Avenue. With more market-rate apart- ments planned in other buildings along Steele Boulevard, devel- opers and town officials said it will be an attractive area for millen- nials or empty nesters. "My hope is to see about five or six restaurants here, that it will be a place to see and be seen, to enjoy yourself," with beer, food, coffee, and unique shops and services all next door or down the street, Edge said. "We want shoes on the ground." The Kensington Village, Edge said, is becoming a merchant- driven center where business owners are promoting them- selves, supporting their neighbors and helping those in Berlin and beyond "rediscover local." "Little by little it's coming together, and we need to think about people parking here, getting down there and walking around, seeing what's happening," Edge said. "I say to people, 'I know you know Berlin, but you probably haven't been here in a while, so come see what we have.' " The Salty Dog Tavern coming to Southington By Hanna Snyder Gambini hgambini@hartforbusiness.com Mike Miller is adding a companion to his Southington Hop Haus. The Salty Dog Tavern is slated to open in early September at 1783 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike as a sports-themed tavern under the Hop Haus family. The Salty Dog will offer food, drink and sports, catering to the tastes of all fans, men and women alike, and not just the "beer and wings crowd." The new tavern will have 110 seats, numerous televisions, an extensive wine list, craft cocktails from Connecticut distilleries, 12 local beers on tap, and a wide variety of salads, vegetarian dishes, Keto and gluten-free offerings. "We'll focus on food, and sports along with it," Miller said. The Salty Dog Tavern will be "a good place to watch the game and get some great food." It's another venture for Miller, who operates two Hop Haus gastropubs/ craft eateries in Southington and Plainville. He is also working toward an early 2023 opening of his third Hop Haus in Berlin. The Salty Dog Tavern will open Sept. 7, in the former Tipping Chair location in the Milldale section of Southington. HBJ PHOTO | HANNA SNYDER GAMBINI

• Cover