Fans of the “High School Special” will soon have to look elsewhere for their chicken nugget and potato cone fix, as New Canaan’s Chicken Joe’s will be closing its doors Sunday for the last time.
Mark Weber, manager of Chicken Joe’s in New Canaan, which will close next Tuesday. Credit: Michael Dinan
Chicken Joe’s co-owner and New Canaan resident Jay Greco said the Elm Street eatery is closing, primarily, because of prohibitively high rent and tough parking. Greco also said that he donated to and otherwise supported various groups in town and did not always see a return on those investments.
“It breaks my heart to close the place because I put my heart and soul into building it but I can’t afford it,” Greco said. “The rent is just killing me. My heart is broken closing the place, but I can’t afford it.”
Greco thanked his loyal customers and noted especially that Lou Marinelli and the New Canaan football team were huge supporters of Chicken Joe’s.
A sign posted on the front door announced the closing of the deli, which has been a go-to for New Canaanites since opening in the spring of 2010 featuring their fried chicken and cones and a dazzling array of wraps and sandwiches.
Mark Weber, the friendly face at the register and manager of the New Canaan location, echoed Greco.
“We would just like to extend our appreciation to all of our customers over the past six years,” Weber said. “Unfortunately, we are closing our doors effective January 10, 2016. However, we do have six other locations—feel free to stop in. We are all the way up in Albany, New York, and then of course Cos Cob, Greenwich, Rye, New Rochelle and Port Chester.”
The College Wrap, Chicken Joe’s. Credit: Terry Dinan
The restaurant, frequently at the top of our “Top 10” and “Best of” lists, has been active in New Canaan since opening, mostly sponsoring various sports teams.
Tucker Murphy, executive director of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, called Chicken Joe’s “an institution” for local teens.
“We are sorry to see a locally owned business close,” Murphy said. “Since 2010, Chicken Joe’s has been serving the teen population well and we’re sure they will be sorry to see them go and we look forward to seeing whoever will fill that space.”
We need to give this place an excellent send off this weekend. Let’s make sure they close down early from lack of inventory, if you know what I mean!!!
With Barolo and Chicken Joe’s closing, it reminds me Gates hasn’t reopened. I know they were trying to open in September. Any word when they’ll open back up?
When will someone do something about the high rent in New Canaan? Do we really want a bunch of chain stores in NC? They are the only ones who will be able to stay here due to high rent. This is a shame. Our little town charm is going to disappear forever.
So disappointed to see one more family/teen/ eatery/take-out / leaving New Canaan due to the high rent. Interestingly enough they seem to be able to make it in other towns and locations.
One might say that the chickens have come home to roost on our ever
increasing property taxes.