Wood-N-Tap Closes Wallingford, All CT Locations

WALLINGFORD, CT — After originally staying open for delivery, takeout and curbside pickup amid the new coronavirus restrictions, Wood-n-Tap announced Thursday that it is closing all nine of its locations in Connecticut. Gov. Ned Lamont issued an order earlier this week to close all restaurants and bars in the state to close for dine-in service.

“Today we made a decision that we will immediately close all nine Wood-n-Tap restaurants until the state deems it is safe for restaurant and bar businesses to reopen,” reads a post on the Wood-n-Tap Facebook page. “Our team has become increasingly concerned with the safety of our staff and guests, and that is more important to us than anything else. Any gain we have is not worth the risk to those still working for us or visiting our locations for pick-up.”

In addition to the Wood-n-Tap locations, the Hartford Restaurant Group also announced that it is closing Que Whiskey Kitchen in Southington. Wood-n-Tap has locations in Wallingford, Hamden, Farmington, Hartford, Newington, Orange, Rocky Hill, Southington and Vernon.

Phil Barnett, co-owner and co-founder of Hartford Restaurant Group, said they decided to close because “this virus is getting closer and closer to home.”

“Since the closing of in-house dining and bar service began earlier this week, we have become increasingly worried about the safety of our staff and guests, even as we limited service to the allowed pick-up and delivery business,” Barnett said. “We think it’s best to follow the CDC quarantine directives, completely shut down and not reopen until the state gives our industry the ‘all clear.’”

Barnett said that while his restaurants were doing OK with gift card sales and escalating pick-up and delivery service, it was decided that any gain wasn’t worth the risk.

“We are a business well-known for the past 18 years that thrives on good food and drink and an environment that embraces and encourages socializing, and a spontaneous informality,” Barnett said. “To do anything less just doesn’t feel right and with that, and more importantly, the gravity of the virus crisis, we decided temporarily closing until it is safe for everyone makes better sense.”

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