Berry's Restaurant still on hold to open

NORWALK — Berry's Restaurant is still waiting to open under new ownership. In December 2019, Brian and Leslie Chase purchased the restaurant at a sheriff's sale. Since then, the couple has been working to renovate the building. After the sheriff's sale, the previous owner, Doug Berry (Leslie's father), filed a lawsuit seeking the return of all personal property and any trade fixtures located in the building at the time of the sale. In a social media post, Chase said the transfer did go through, but the previous owner sued for all the contents in the building. He said the judge awarded the previous owner some items, but nothing that was built in or consider fixtures. The court's decision is being appealed, in the hands of the Sixth District Court of Appeals. Chase said he was told the appeals could take between 12 and 18 months, putting them on hold. Norwalk Mayor Dave Light said the Chases have done "remarkable things on the inside" of the restaurant and have updated the building. He said he visited the restaurant in February. "It's beautiful inside, but I know they can't get it open," he said. "They're being patient. The community is ready for it and I'm certainly ready for it to be open." Light said the restaurant is a landmark to the town, knowing people to come from all over the state for a seat. "Brian and his wife have put a lot of money into it, it looks great on the inside," he said. "But Doug, as long as he keeps dragging this out, it's preventing them from being open. I hope they have the means to keep hanging on financially until they can get it open."