Hot Table to expand with second location at Tower Square

Date: 4/21/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD -- After over a year of preparation and planning, the Main Street restaurant location at Tower Square will once again be the home of an eatery this summer.

Hot Table, the panini restaurant that was opened two years ago in the Sixteen Acres section of the city, will expand into the location. Co-owner John DeVoie said at a press conference on Thursday at Tower Square, "This is an exciting day for our young company."

John co-owns the company with his brother Chris and their brother-in-law Don Watroba, a veteran restaurateur.

John told Reminder Publications the location would create 15 to 20 new jobs. He added the expansion was made possible through financing from the Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund and NUVO Bank.

Currently the renovations to the space are underway.

Fred Christensen, Tower Square's senior property manager, said he had been looking for "the right restaurant" to fill the space. His criteria included a locally owned and operated business with "a proven track record of success."

John said the menu of breakfast panini sandwiches, salads, soups and lunch and dinner paninis at the new location will be the same as the menu at the Sixteen Acres restaurant. Each of the sandwiches is made to order.

The hours of operation will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The menu is expected to expand with additional offerings and the restaurant will eventually offer catering services.

Like the Sixteen Acres restaurant, the new one will have a fireplace, with comfortable seating, as well as a dining area and a small conference room for parties of up to 10 people.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said the addition of the restaurant goes along with his plan to change the face of downtown by developing the 31 Elm St. property at Court Square and "eradicating" events at downtown bars and nightclubs for 18- to 21-year-olds.