Transformation of former train station continues

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Renovations are under way at The Station, a new restaurant on Water Street in Naugatuck in the old train station building. -LARAINE WESCHLER/REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

NAUGATUCK — The former train station is shaping up to be an impressive eatery with an industrial-chic vibe.

Three months after the original goal for opening, renovations are ongoing at The Station, billed as a casual dining restaurant at 195 Water St.

“They’re working on it every day and making great progress. It’s just going to be absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait for it to be open,” said Ronald Pugliese, president and chief executive officer of the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation.

He said the opening has been delayed due to several setbacks, including some material taking longer to arrive than expected and the lower basement floor being thicker than anticipated.

Ken Dubois, an employee of B&F Building Contractors of Plainville, was working on a massive bar with rusted metal detailing that will dominate the left side of the building Wednesday.

“They want to tie it all in with the train station, so they had this made to look like a trestle,” Dubois said of a heavy metal frame waiting to be mounted to the wall behind the bar.

Downstairs, Albert Pergjoni was laying down tiles in a roughly 800-square-foot kitchen. Above it, on the right side of the building, another roughly 600-square-foot kitchen and takeout area are being constructed. He said he expected the construction work to be done in the next one and a half to two months.

The borough sold the building to partners Carlos Santos, a partner in a law firm downtown, and Jim Perzhilla, owner and operator of Spartan II Pizza Restaurant & Lounge in Southington, for $300,000. They agreed to put $500,000 of renovations into the 120-year-old building.

The owners could not be reached this week.

The restaurant will seat 150 people in the main dining area and another 45 around the sports bar. An outdoor patio in front of the building will have room for 65 guests.

1 COMMENT

  1. Ronald Pugliese, president and chief executive officer of the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation….
    Taking credit?