Moe’s Southwest Grill Will Return to West Hartford
Audio By Carbonatix
The local franchise owner confirmed Tuesday that Moe’s Southwest Grill will reopen in West Hartford this spring.
By Ronni Newton
Exactly 11 months after Moe’s Southwest Grill closed the doors to its West Hartford restaurant, franchise owner Matt Rusconi confirmed what many had hope to hear: Moe’s Southwest Grill is returning to town.
“We are so excited. We’re glad to be coming back home,” said Rusconi on Tuesday as soon as the ink was dry on the new lease.
Moe’s will be located in the former Mooyah space at 722 North Main St. in Bishops Corner.
When Mooyah closed its doors on March, 6, 2017, due to a decision not to renew the lease, rumors began flying about the location as a possible Moe’s site because Rusconi and his business partner David Vorchheimer were the owners of that Mooyah franchise location as well as owners of the Moe’s Southwest Grill in Blue Back Square, which closed on May 5, 2016.
“We were thinking about it and everything fell into place. Edens [owner of the Crossroads Plaza Shopping Center] worked with us so that it would be doable,” Rusconi said about being able to use the Mooyah space. He said he is very thankful to Edens for making this happen.
Rusconi said that minor renovations will be done, but essentially only redecorating is needed to get the space ready to become Moe’s Southwest Grill. He is thankful to SJ Burns Construction for quickly jumping on board to help with the work.
The Bishops Corner Moe’s will seat 75, and is slightly bigger than the Blue Back Square location was. Rusconi said he’s also very excited that there is free parking, both in front and in the back of the restaurant. The restaurant is accessible through both doors.
There will also be some outdoor seating in front of Moe’s.
As for the opening date, Rusconi said he’s trying for early May, in time to work with schools and other community groups on their fundraisers before the summer. “We’re so excited to be back working with Little League and other community groups,” he said.
Signs should be up on the building by the end of April, Rusconi said.
Moe’s will also get the catering business up and running in West Hartford again, a business that was very much in demand by schools and offices, as well as for graduations and other parties.
“We will do a fun grand opening,” Rusconi said, and will announce the date as soon as its known.
“We took a little pause but now we’re back. Dave [Vorchheimer] and I appreciate everyone’s patience, and we are glad to be back home,” said Rusconi.
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Thought I heard about this 2 months ago! Very exciting though.
Mexican food is taking over Bishop’s Corner. First Bertucci’s closes and we hear a Mexican restaurant is opening there, now Moe’s with it’s Tex-Mex. Most people I know aren’t that crazy about Mexican to support it. When I tell them about it they all say “we want a steakhouse”! Sorry to hear about MooYah.
Happy to hear it. Now I won’t have to drive over Avon Mountain or hit the Berlin Turnpike to satisfy my craving for Moe’s.
I will not eat at this or any other Moe’s location until the company publicly commits to a comprehensive welfare policy for the chickens in its supply chain. Without a welfare policy, Moe’s leaves room for its suppliers to abuse chickens in horrific ways, like shackling, shocking, and scalding the birds while they are fully conscious. I will eat at Qdoba and Chipotle until Moe’s makes the same public commitment they have. Moes.ChickenTorture.com