A pre-application dated July 23 was submitted to the Greenwich Planning & Zoning commission for a change of use from retail to restaurant at 600 East Putnam Ave.
The building was originally home to an International House of Pancakes, “IHOP.” Later, it became home to Patio.com, and ultimately underwent a massive renovation to become Mike’s Organic, a small-format grocery store that opened with much enthusiasm in April 2023, and closed permanently on March 3, 2024.
The property is owned by TPF Development Corp, which according to the Secretary of State website is registered to Thomas and Robert Fong.
The property is 1.1145 acres. 
According to the Assessor’s office TPF Development Corp owns several properties in Greenwich: 368 Davis Ave, 376 Davis Ave, 18 Home Place, 20 Home Place, 22 Home Place, and 100 Strickland Rd Units 5, 6 and 7, and 22 Division Street in addition to 600 East Putnam Ave.
Recently a pre-application to develop 18 units in an 8-30g on the Home Place and Davis Ave properties was well received by P&Z.
The applicant for the change of use to restaurant is 600 E Putnam Ave LLC, which is registered to Hong Cheung at 64 Lewis St, Greenwich, CT.
The pre-application indicates the total square footage is 48,550 sq ft and would not change.
There are 46 parking spaces.
That would not change either.
600 East Putnam Ave. July 30, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
The narrative on the pre-application was minimal, saying only, “This pre-application is being submitted to the Town of Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission for approval to change the use of the property from Retail to Restaurant, within Use Group 1.”
Use group 1 (go to 6-100) includes a variety of types of businesses. Some of them are Banks, Dry Cleaners, Fitness Clubs, Gyms, Group Living Facility for the Elderly, Libraries/Museums/Art Galleries, Municipal Uses, Package Stores, Pharmacy, Post Office, and Restaurants, Retail stores and Supermarkets.
At their last meeting, the Planning & Zoning commission discussed the trend of properties that were formerly home to either retail stores, restaurants or banks becoming Medical or Wellness facilities.
One can only wonder if a new restaurant would make the area in Cos Cob a restaurant destination in general?
Nearby restaurants include Joey B’s, Little Pub, and Louie’s Italian.
See also:
In Greenwich, “Hands-On” Businesses Put the Squeeze on Traditional Retail
600 East Putnam Ave when it was home to Patio.com. File photo
600 East Putnam Ave. Photo Oct 8, 2019
