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Date: 5/19/2021
CHICOPEE – The proposal of a new Hot Table restaurant in Chicopee was a topic of discussion at the May 6 and May 13 Planning Board meetings.
Owners John DeVoie, Christopher DeVoie and investor Rich Calcosola are hoping to build the 2,000 square-foot restaurant in a vacant lot to the right of Aldi’s Supermarket on Memorial Drive. This would be the first free-standing Hot Table and would include a pick-up window where people could order online or by phone and pick up there. A preliminary rendering of the Chicopee Hot Table shows a space for outdoor dining as well.
The May 6 meeting consisted of a preliminary site plan review. The May 13 meeting aimed to continue the discussion and give the public a chance to review the plans. If approved by the city, the project will cost about $1.5 million. The restaurant would create roughly 30 jobs.
Hot Table was founded in 2007 and specializes in paninis, soups and salads. Its first location was in the Breckwood Shops in Springfield. It then opened a location in the Tower Square Mall. Hot Table now has seven restaurants across the state and beyond in places such as Hadley, Worcester, Enfield, Glastonbury and Marlborough. There are also plans for another Hot Table restaurant coming to the city of Westfield.
Public reaction to the Hot Table seemed mixed on the Chicopee Area Community Facebook Forum.
“I wouldn’t mind a Hot Table there. I occasionally went to the one in Springfield but haven’t gone since before the pandemic,” wrote resident Gigi Monte.
Resident Raymond Charpentier disagreed.
“Too many restaurants all crowded together in one area,” he wrote on the forum.
Denise Londraville suggested a different type of restaurant come to the area.
“We need a nice Italian restaurant or a steakhouse,” she said.
Those interested in viewing the Planning Board meetings are encouraged to visit the ChicopeeTV Facebook page.