Sub Boss, Sweet Shoppe Close Their Doors

Although East Haven residents are excited about the possibility of a new upscale coffee shop opening up downtown, unfortunately two local eateries are now no longer in business along the town's Main Street corridor.

Sub Boss and the Sweet Shoppe both recently closed their doors.

Although East Haven Patch was unable to reach the two stores' owners yesterday to find out exactly why each closed, neighboring businesses reported that the two shops went out of business within the past few weeks.

Sweet Shoppe

Sweet Shoppe owner Tim Pendred told East Haven Patch in September that his store, which first opened in July 2011, was having "

Local residents rallied behind the struggling store, voting for a cash mob visit in mid-September.

But apparently the effort was not enough to turn things around.

Sub Boss

Sub Boss, owned and operated by lifelong East Haven residents Joe Onorato and Toni Fiorillo, opened its doors in mid-2010.

And it didn't take long for the sandwich shop to become a favorite among local residents.

In fact, earlier this year, Sub Boss was overwhelmingly voted the "Best Sandwich Shop" in town by East Haven Patch readers.

And the new Italian gelato shop Polo Paolo opened up several weeks ago almost right next door to sandwich store, which also found itself in the same group of businesses the ever-popular Sugar Bakery & Sweet Shop.

But again, it appears business was not brisk enough to keep the deli's doors open.

Supporting Small Business

Although there are some bright spots on East Haven's small business landscape — the opening of a new Hobby Lobby early next year in particular — there are still many vacant spaces downtown, along Frontage Road, in the town's industrial park and throughout Foxon's Route 80 corridor.

And so, what do you think can and/or should be done to encourage new businesses to move into town, as well as support and retain current ones?

Earlier this year, the Mayor's Office placed an advertisement in two regional business publications encouraging businesses to relocate to East Haven. What other steps should town officials take to help boost economic development? What role should East Haven residents play in helping to support business in town?

Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.

(Editor's Note: East Haven Patch will be meeting with the Art DeSorbo, the director of administration & management for the East Haven Mayor's Office, on Dec. 27 for an economic development update. The story from the talk will post the following day.)