WALLINGFORD — Little Italy, an Italian market and delicatessen that opened in 2005 in Yalesville, has closed, according to signs on its former storefront, after being closed for vacation.  

The signs state that coming soon, HubSpoke Kitchen will be moving into the building located at 206 Main St. According to the business’ Facebook page, it will be “a one-stop hub for your favorite restaurants.” 

The 206 Main St. building is 8,000 square feet and was built in 2004. The Record-Journal reported in 2005, shortly after Little Italy opened its doors, that the business, owned by the Dichello family, offered home-made sausage and meatballs, espresso drinks, pastries, handmade pasta, sandwiches, pizza and more. 

The building is owned by 206 Main LLC, which is owned by Alberto and Angelina Dichello. 

The owners could not be reached for comment. 

Joe Mirra, chair of Wallingford’s economic development commission, said he has received feedback from people regarding restaurant closures in town.

“Since the pandemic, there has been no pattern, the foot traffic hasn’t picked up, patrons haven’t picked up,” Mirra said. “That and the supply chain problem and increased pricing. Many of them had a relationship with distributors and vendors that they were familiar with and worked in harmony with and unfortunately, some of those distributors and vendors are no longer in business.” 

When asked about how new businesses can stay afloat right now, Mirra said their newness in town is positive.

“It’s a new business and in many cases, it’s the novelty of a new business, people are coming in to explore it,” Mirra said. “Then it comes down to customer service. I really think a new business opening today is product and customer service, those are the two keys.” 

Mirra added that old businesses can sometimes be “too familiar.” He said for new businesses, people say, “let’s check them out.”

“An old business, (people) knew they were there, ‘we’ll go there tomorrow’ or ‘we’ll go next week’” Mirra said. “It’s too familiar.”

jsimms@record-journal.com203-317-2279Twitter: @jessica_simms99