A New/Old Pub in Town

For Jennifer White, opening a spot like the new Greenwoods Station Pub has been “a lifelong dream,� she says. “I’ve talked about it forever, but just never found the right place.�

   Then the Speckled Hen on Route 44 in Norfolk closed, which gave Jennifer and her husband Mike an idea. The two, who live nearby in  North Canaan, could take over the pub themselves. When they learned they wouldn’t have to buy the business, only lease the building, they jumped right in.

   Bob Pallone, owner of the building, took a chance on them. White said Pallone chose them from 12 would-be tenants, most of whom had run a restaurant before.

   “It’s very surreal for me,â€� White said. “It was a whirlwind. We just jumped in head first.â€�

   Mike White, a contractor who does fire inspections for HFP (once Hazardville Fire Protection) in Windsor Locks, handled the remodeling with the help of friends.

 â€œI was only allowed to do the painting,â€� Jen said.

   Looking around the pub — with its shiny, dark wood bar, red, white and blue bunting and  little wall placques sayings things like: “Well-behaved women rarely make historyâ€� —  White says, “This is exactly what I envisioned.â€�

   Real, comforting, pub atmosphere.

   The menu’s right, too, such as shepherd’s pie and (a little less comforting) the Engine-40 Firehouse Chili Burger (named after the new engine the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department recently acquired).

      It’s a family affair, with Mike helping out part-time and the couple’s 17-year-old daughter, Courtney, waiting tables. It’s been a lot of work, White says, “but I’m OK with that. It’s what I love.â€�

   

   For information, call the pub at 860-542-2510.

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