Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

July 31, 2020

New Haven eatery closes doors amid pandemic

PHOTOS | Courtesy Next Door
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

A city restaurant, Next Door, is closing as of Aug. 2, its ownership announced recently, citing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on business.

The restaurant, at 175 Humphrey St., has been known for its New Haven-style pizza, Mediterranean bites, snacks and salads as much as for its beer, wine and cocktails. 

Douglas Coffin and Robin Bodak, both longtime veterans of the food industry, launched the restaurant a couple of years ago. 

The two met after working at the neighboring catering business Big Green Truck Pizza, owned by Coffin, prompting the name, “Next Door.” 

They announced Next Door's closure on their website and Facebook page, “with great sadness.”

“It’s because of you, our customers, and our incredible team and family that Next Door became a place to share drinks, food and many wonderful memories,” the announcement said. “Thank you to all who have supported us over the past 2 years, it has been a pleasure to serve you and the New Haven community.”

Coffin on Friday said Next Door had been building a customer base and volume, but then COVID-19 happened.

“With the virus, a lot of people decided not to eat out,” Coffin said. “We didn’t have enough volume to support the business, and it looked like it wasn’t going to change anytime soon.”

The good news is that Coffin’s Big Green Truck Pizza catering operation is still in existence. The two businesses share a common kitchen, and Coffin said he plans to use the space occupied by Next Door for takeout services for Big Green Truck Pizza. The space will not have any more indoor seating.

“It’d be hard to find another person to rent out the space now,” Coffin said. “People are looking for takeout, so we are trying to expand into that market.”

Big Green Truck Pizza is expanding to provide takeout.

Several customers, such as Linda Barrett, posted comments on Facebook in response to the news about Next Door.

“I am so sorry to hear this,” Barrett wrote. “ I love the food, the aesthetics and atmosphere you created, as well as the venue to hear local musicians and storytellers in such an intimate setting. This restaurant will be truly missed by so many.”

Rachel Liu added, “This is so, so sad, you were our family’s favorite restaurant since you opened. Such a loss to New Haven. Sending love on your new adventure.”

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF