Matty's Newest Venture

Article found on The Advocate:

Matthew Bongiovi, the youngest brother of Jon from the Bon Jovi rock group, plans to open a bar in June at 84 W. Park Place in downtown Stamford, the former site of the Thirsty Turtle.

It will be a "boutique nightclub" called 84 Park, said Nan Leonard, Matthew Bongiovi's publicist.

Unlike his world-famous brother, Matthew Bongiovi is an entrepreneur, not a musician, Leonard said Wednesday.

The younger Bongiovi co-owns the Elements Steakhouse & Lounge in Sea Bright, N.J., with Vince Rizzo, according to the Elements Steakhouse's Web site.

Leonard said more details about 84 Park will be released soon. Bongiovi was not available for comment, she added.

If it opens as scheduled, the new club could draw customers from large crowds that gather for the Alive@Five concert series sponsored by Stamford's Downtown Special Services District.

"It is very, very positive that someone like Matthew Bongiovi wants to partner in this major and expensive effort" to renovate the former Thirsty Turtle in the downtown, said Sandra Goldstein, executive director of the DSSD. "It shows that even in times of economic hardship, people recognize strong communities and strong potential for economic growth."

The Thirsty Turtle closed for undisclosed reasons in the winter after six years of operation.

Denise Aivalis, co-owner of the building that will house 84 Park, said the club will have an "L.A." theme.

"It's going to be something that Stamford has not had before," she said. "We have been working hard to get this deal done."

The ground floor of 84 W. Park Place contained the Art Bar before Thirsty Turtle.

"It's a good location," said Jack Condlin, president and chief executive officer of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce. The club, 84 Park, "should do well there."

The recession has not stopped restaurants and clubs from opening in the large block that 84 W. Park Place shares with the Bowtie Cinemas Majestic, the landmark Curley's Diner, several other restaurants, Target and the 34-story Trump Parc condominiums.

An outlet of the Buffalo Wild Wings chain opened April 18 at 208 Summer St. amid media fanfare and large crowds from a free wings giveaway. Nearby, the Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar and Mary Ann's Mexican restaurant are slated to open next month.

"The economy is showing signs of recovery," Condlin said. "We have heard that some restaurants and food places are actually seeing an increase in business. They are still a little leery and not ready to celebrate yet."


~ Hath