Activity on New Colony Diner, Stevenson Lumber Properties

New Colony Diner was always busy for breakfast and lunch with lines of patrons waiting to be seated for dinner. It was also a late night destination for decades before closing its doors a few years ago.

Co-owners of the Circle Diner on Post Road in Fairfield hope to breathe new life into the empty building at 568 Main Street. Fani Loukrezis of Easton sold her property to ADZ LLC for $700,000 on Jan. 31, according to town land records.

Chief Building Official James Sandor said he's waiting to sign off on a building permit allowing the owner renovate the building and add a small vestibule in the front and storage area in the back.

"All I need is approval from the health department and a check," he said.

Dimitri Alatakis, part owner of the Circle Diner in Fairfield, applied for the permit. Patch could not reach him for comment by press time.

Meanwhile, another developer presented a conceptual plan for a recycling facility at the Stevenson Lumber Co. property at 1585 Monroe Turnpike. First Selectman Steve Vavrek praised the potential applicant for going about things "the right way by pre-selling" the project.

"The most important thing is a lot of vacant spots are being filled and whether that's a diner, a restaurant or a cafe, it's a good thing," Vavrek said Monday afternoon. "People like to dwell on businesses that are leaving, but some vacancies are being filled and businesses are expanding. We have a vibrant industrial site on Pepper Street that's filling up right now."

Vavrek encourages residents to attend Planning & Zoning Commission meetings to see what other types of businesses are coming to town.

"If anyone has any questions, please call this office," he said.

The phone number for the First Selectman's Office is (203) 452-2821.