SOUTHINGTON — The Meriden restaurateurs behind a new venture at the former Tavern 42 in the Plantsville section of Southington recently revealed new details about plans for the space, including the menu and name — Fireside on Main.

The new restaurant, expected to open around the new year, will offer pizza, seafood and pub fare.

While the menu won’t include other traditional Italian entrees, owners said they’ll be a variety of wood and gas-fired pizzas as well as a make-your-own-pizza option for kids.

“There’s so much Italian food (in Southington), but one thing that we’re going to have that’s going to be huge is that kids are going to be able to make their own pizzas,” said Mike Mingolello, owner of Wise Guys Pizza & Deli on West Main Street in Meriden.

Mingolello, his wife Lisa Marie Augustine and partner Alan Provite are working to put the finishing touches on the new restaurant at 42 W. Main St. They’re hoping to open in January.

The name refers to the fireplaces throughout the restaurant and the building’s owner, Dean Michanczyk — owner of Dean’s Stove and Spa. Michanczyk supplied the pizza ovens at the restaurant and said it would be a great addition to the area. The main showroom of Dean’s Stove and Spa is adjacent to the restaurant property.

“I know Mike’s going to do well with the Fireside on Main. I like the name,” he said.

Mingolello said in addition to pizza, Fireside will offer burgers, nachos, salads, wraps, southern fried catfish and other “high-end pub” favorites. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner most days although Mingolello is considering a brunch on Sundays.

Kids will be able to make their own pizzas by adding toppings and then put the pizzas into ovens themselves. Mingolello said the restaurant is also going to offer karaoke, darts and a DJ.

“We’re going to really try to hype it up,” he said. “Dean always wanted that to be over there.”

With nearly 9,000 square feet, Mingolello said there’s plenty of room for dining and events. The upstairs of the restaurant includes a banquet room and there’s already interest in parties and weddings at the space.

“There’s a beautiful fireplace upstairs,” Mingolello said.

Tavern 42 owners couldn't agree on a new lease with their former landlord, Michanczyk, and moved out earlier this year.

Cheryl Moran, an owner of Tavern 42 along with Barry DePaolo, said she's still looking for a location for the restaurant. The pair want to keep the restaurant in Southington and are struggling with a staffing shortage. 

Moran and DePaolo, owners of Anthony Jack’s downtown, opened Tavern 42 in 2016. Their establishment replaced Hearthstone Pub, a restaurant run by Michanczyk in the former Taylor’s Grocery location. Michancyzk closed the restaurant to focus on his other business.

Michanczyk owns buildings on both sides of West Main Street in the village of Plantsville. He’s renovated buildings on the north side of the street for tenants as well as an additional showroom for his stove business. He’s pleased with how tenant businesses, such as Lion’s Den coffee have flourished and expects the area to benefit from continued improvements such as new sidewalks planned for the upcoming year.

“Wait’ll that reconnaissance comes through the center of town. Plantsville is going to be a hopping place. I can’t wait,” Michanczyk said. “Plantsville was a hopping place at one time and kind of started dying. It’s really put a lot of life back in with the coffee shop doing so well.”

jbuchanan@record-journal.com203-317-2230Twitter: @JBuchananRJ