Planning commission approves Sloppy Waffle's request to sell alcoholic beverages on Berlin Turnpike

The Newington Planning & Zoning Commission approved a special permit on July 8 allowing Sloppy Waffle LLC to add alcoholic beverage service at its restaurant at 2551 Berlin Turnpike.

Luis Ramos, who identified himself as the applicant and provided his Newington address, said the restaurant intends to add a mimosa and sangria menu to its brunch offerings and to update seasonal hot beverages in the fall. Ramos emphasized the change is intended to adapt the menu to customer demand "not to create an environment of a bar," and said there were no substantive changes to the application since it was last presented.

Staff explained the hearing had to be re-run because a required second legal advertisement was not published previously; conducting the hearing again protects the applicant from future litigation. The commission moved to approve the special permit, stating on the record that the application meets the town’s special-permit standards for the Berlin Turnpike business zone.

No members of the public spoke in opposition during the re-run hearing. The chair declared the motion passed following recorded 'aye' responses from commissioners; the applicant was congratulated on the approval and told to proceed with the permitting requirements.

The permit approval is subject to the applicant obtaining any additional applicable permits under town and state law.