Danbury Gives the Go-Ahead for New Spanish-American Eatery on Ives Street

It appears that Ives Street in the middle of CityCenter Danbury is coming back to life! According to CT Post, the city of Danbury has given Wilson Pelaez and his brother-in-law Juan Vazquez, approval for a café liquor license for their new venture.

The two businessmen are opening a bar and café at 11 Ives Street next to Two Steps Downtown Grille. The Horizon Restaurant used to occupy 11 Ives Street 12 years ago but was shut down by the city for overcrowding violations.

Vazquez and Pelaez are the former owners of Billy Beans Restaurant on White Street and would like to help Ives Street regain the reputation it once had for the center of Danbury's nightlife.

The two businessmen plan to open a Spanish-American gathering place called "Downtown Eleven Café and Bar," featuring an eclectic mix of Spanish, Peruvian, Ecuadorian, and American food with plans to add karaoke on the weekends.

Let's recap - with Two Steps Downtown Grille as the anchor, Ives Street has added the Sabor Bakery, Galapagos Restaurant, the Copacabana Café, and eventually, the Downtown Eleven Café and Bar. Does anyone remember Ciao's Restaurant from back in the day? It was one of my favorites.

Let's not give up on Downtown Danbury. Hopefully the city will bring back the Summer Concert Series and art and cultural festivals to the Danbury Green that brought folks together from all over the Greater Danbury area.