Seven more reasons to shop and dine in New Haven

Just in time for holiday shopping and dining, seven new businesses have opened in Yale-owned properties in the Chapel Street Historic and Broadway districts.

The enterprises were formally welcomed to New Haven on Nov. 25 by Mayor Toni N. Harp ’78 M.Env.D., Senator Richard Blumenthal ’73 J.D., and local, university, and state leaders at a series of ribbon-cutting ceremonies sponsored by The Shops at Yale and University Properties.

The new additions — five retailers and two restaurants — build on the thriving retail community and continue to elevate the New Haven foodie culture, according to Lauren Zucker, associate vice president in Yale’s Office of New Haven and State Affairs and University Properties.

See: The Shops at Yale celebrate the holidays with sights, sounds, and savings

“We are delighted that these businesses have chosen New Haven as a place for growth and expansion,” said Zucker. “These stores and restaurants will bring new experiences and new jobs to New Haven. Yale is committed to working with the local community by sustaining a vital downtown and promoting New Haven’s economic development through Yale University’s community investment program.”

Descriptions of the new businesses follow:

Extra Virgin Oil Store, owned by local entrepreneur Stephen Clemente, opened its second location at 1020 Chapel St. and will offer premium quality olive oils, vinegars, pastas, and gourmet items.

Barbour Inc. opened its first Connecticut store at 27 Broadway. Barbour, celebrating 120 years of business, started as an outerwear company and now offers a broad choice of collections for men, women, and children, with a complete wardrobe of outerwear, knitwear, shirts, pants, footwear, and accessories.

Lou Lou, a family-owned boutique specializing in women’s clothing and accessories, opened its first Connecticut store at 23 Broadway. Tara and Ben Wegdam started the concept in Virginia and will soon have more than 20 boutiques nationwide.

Emporium DNA and Kiko Milano, announced in early August, opened their first Connecticut locations on Broadway. Emporium DNA features a carefully curated mix of contemporary apparel and accessories brands. Kiko Milano, an affordable Italian professional cosmetics brand, features more than 1,200 products.

Harvest Wine Bar and Restaurant, a farm-to-fork concept, opened on the lower level of the Yale Center for British Art at 1104 Chapel St., across from the Yale University Art Gallery. Harvest is a family-operated restaurant with four sister locations in Connecticut. 

Tarry Lodge, operated by Batali and Bastianich Hospitality Group, opened at 278 Park St. Both restaurants serve lunch and dinner.

Also new in 2014

The seven newly opened businesses are among 12 enterprises that University Properties brought to New Haven in 2014. The others are:

Connecticut Running Company, 976 Chapel St., selling select footwear, apparel, and accessories;
The Green Teahouse, 1008 Chapel St., serving organic Chinese teas and light food pairings;
L’Occitane en Provence, 1042 Chapel St., featuring French beauty products;
Maison Mathis, 304 Elm St., offering food from the heart of Europe; and
Silk Road Gallery, 83 Audubon St., showcasing works by Chinese and local artists.

They join the mix of retailers and restaurants already in New Haven such as Apple, J. Crew, Urban Outfitters, Origins, Thali Too, Trailblazer, the Yale Bookstore, Union League Café, Claire’s Corner Copia, Shake Shack, Raggs, idiom boutique, Wave, and Derek Simpson Jewelers.

Visitors to the city are reminded that ample parking is available in downtown New Haven, with lots located at 56 Broadway and 255 Crown St., as well as 15,000 on-street parking spaces.