TRUMBULL, CT — After closing up shop over a decade ago, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs have returned to the food court at the Trumbull Mall.
Trumbull Mall management confirmed Tuesday the popular hot dog chain, which also serves burgers, crinkle cut fries, chicken products and premium milkshakes, officially returned to the food court late last year.
“We are thrilled that Nathan’s selected [the] Trumbull Mall for its new location,” mall management said in an email to Patch. “Since opening in November…their business has been a welcome addition to our very successful food court. They’ve already done quite well since opening, and we anticipate that will continue.”
Director of Economic and Community Development Rina Bakalar noted the new mall location also features Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips menu items.
“I just ate there last week and enjoyed it very much,” Bakalar said. “I had the fish and chips and was very happy with it! When I was growing up, we had an Arthur Treacher’s in Stratford.”
According to Bakalar, the mall’s previous Nathan’s food stand closed in 2009, and the newly opened stand has already been warmly embraced by customers.
“They are exceeding their sales projections,” Bakalar said, “and there seems to be people in line every time I am in the area…they were gone approximately 15 years. We are very pleased to have them back.”
As customers flock to the food court for hot dogs and fish and chips, the mall’s leasing team aims to bring in more new businesses for Trumbull shoppers and diners to enjoy.
“We have several other businesses considering the food court, which is almost full,” Bakalar said. “The mall leasing team is very intentional about not overdoing any one cuisine so that all the businesses can succeed.”
Bakalar said Black Pearl Bubble Tea recently signed a new lease to open a store upstairs on the mall’s main level at the Main Street side entrance between The Cheesecake Factory and Target.
Black Pearl, which specializes in freshly brewed tea and other signature drinks, currently operates a location at the SoNo Collection mall in Norwalk and stores in New York.
“They will have freshly brewed teas and other offerings,” Bakalar said. “They will have indoor and outdoor seating.”
Store officials are currently designing and fitting out the space, which is planned to open in a few months, according to Bakalar.
:This will be a great addition, especially in this location,” Bakalar said. “We are working on grants to fund a community art space in that entryway that will feature regional artists and other activities if we receive the funding. It will be a good compliment to have this new business located adjacent.”
Additionally, Macy’s recently resigned a five-year lease for their current department store at the mall. Bakalar noted she plans to meet with the store’s new manager in early April.
