Mohegan Sun sets sights on Catskills
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority reached an agreement that could result in the construction of a $600-million casino and racetrack in Thompson, N.Y., at the site of the Concord Resort Hotel.
Developer Concord Associates plans to build the casino in New York”™s Sullivan County now as part of a joint venture with the owners of Mohegan Sun, who also hope to build a casino in Palmer, Mass.
Concord Associates is controlled by Louis Cappelli, a Westchester County resident who helped develop the Trump Parc residential tower in Stamford.
“Mohegan brings an unparalleled brand and expertise to the Concord team as well as its proven record of investment, development and operation of highly successful gaming and racing facilities in Connecticut and Pennsylvania,” Cappelli said, in a prepared statement. “Our successful track record of creating large-scale economic development projects throughout New York, along with Mohegan”™s property management skills, represent a natural partnership and (we) view the redevelopment of the Concord Hotel as a way to generate enhanced tourism, tax revenue and job creation for the Catskills region.”
The New York facility would include a 75,000-square-foot casino, a 260-room hotel, a harness racetrack and paddocks and space for restaurants, retail outlets and corporate meetings. Concord Associates and Mohegan Sun hope to open the first phase of the project in 2013.
Italian eatery opens at former Bennett”™s site
Bar Rosso opened on Spring Street in Stamford at the site that was once the home of Bennett”™s, a well-regarded local steakhouse that nevertheless closed its doors last year.
Where Bennett”™s focused on steaks and seafood, Bar Rosso is serving Italian fare. Owner Mary Schaffer also runs Napa & Co. in Stamford.
Smooth growth for Robeks in Stamford
Robeks Premium Fruit Smoothies said it will open a shop this summer at 711 Canal St. in Stamford”™s Harbor Point development, across from Fairway Market.
In addition to traditional smoothies and those derived from Brazilian fruits, the Los Angeles-based chain sells sandwiches and salads, also catering for office meetings. Four other Robeks shops in Stamford, Westport and Fairfield are among the company”™s 10 best-performing in the nation.
The new Stamford store will be run by Katrina Bickford and Sharon Spelling, who also runs a Robeks on High Ridge Road in Stamford.
New recipes in store at Hilton Stamford
Pyramid Hotel Group L.L.C. is overhauling its kitchen and catering operations at the Hilton Stamford Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, advertising this month for both an executive chef and a director of food and beverage operations.
The Hilton Stamford is the lone Connecticut hotel managed by Boston-based Pyramid Hotel Group, which in 2009 filed to raise $275 million in an initial public offering of stock before tabling the plans last year.
