CT Restaurateur Loses Location After Unpaid Rent Despite $150K Grant

The latest chapter in the business story of Connecticut restaurateur Gina Luari is turning heads across the state. The founder and CEO of The Statement Group just hit another rough patch.

Court documents show that her Hartford seafood bar, RAW*, has closed after eviction proceedings over unpaid rent. This is just the latest in a string of closures, disputes, and legal headaches for Luari’s various ventures, including spots in West Hartford and New Haven.

Find Your Ideal Getaway in Connecticut
Explore top-rated stays with no booking fees and instant confirmation. Your dream trip starts here!
Start Exploring Now

It’s a tough time to run restaurants in Connecticut’s competitive dining scene. The market feels volatile, and Luari’s story is just one example of how hard it’s gotten.

Hartford Seafood Bar Shutters Amid Financial Dispute

RAW*, at 280 Trumbull Street in downtown Hartford, opened in 2023 with high hopes. The place even got a $150,000 boost from the Hart Lift revitalization grant program.

But Grunberg Realty of New York, the property owner, says Luari and RAW Hartford LLC missed an $18,543 rent payment on September 15. When they tried to pay, the check bounced, which kicked off the court case.

Vandalism and Market Struggles Cited as Key Factors

Luari’s attorney, Brian M. Silver, explained that repeated vandalism forced RAW* to close. They tried to relaunch, but downtown Hartford’s market just wasn’t having it.

Silver said Grunberg Realty cooperated during the process. Still, they decided to close the place for good.

West Hartford Bakery Dreams Halted

This isn’t Luari’s first court-ordered eviction in Connecticut. Before losing RAW*, a judge denied her request to keep a Blue Back Square storefront in West Hartford, where she’d planned a bakery.

That decision ended her shot at joining the specialty baked goods scene in one of the area’s busiest retail hubs.

A Pattern of Restaurant Closures

The Statement Group still runs several The Place 2 Be locations in Hartford, New Haven, and West Hartford. But the Springfield, Massachusetts location closed earlier this year.

Legal filings show the West Hartford site is set to close by March 2025. People in communities from Manchester to Bridgeport are noticing as the once fast-growing brand loses ground.

From Rapid Growth to Legal Trouble

Luari’s restaurant group grew fast, drawing attention in places like Stamford, Middletown, and Waterbury. But lately, she’s hit some major roadblocks.

Her troubles go beyond restaurant closures. She was recently arrested in East Hartford on felony larceny charges, accused of writing bad checks. The charges are still pending, but they add fuel to the controversy around The Statement Group.

Luari Attributes Setbacks to Unforeseen Misfortunes

Despite the growing pile of legal and financial problems, Luari insists her setbacks come from things she couldn’t control—vandalism, fires, and market downturns. She pushes back against the idea that she overexpanded, blaming unpredictable events for derailing her operations.

Impact on Connecticut’s Dining Landscape

The closing of RAW* and the shaky future of other The Place 2 Be locations highlight how fragile the restaurant business is in Connecticut. From Hartford’s city center to New Haven’s lively food scene, restaurants are up against fierce competition, rising costs, and ever-changing customer habits.

In places like Norwalk and Danbury, local business owners are watching Luari’s situation closely. It’s got people wondering if these troubles point to bigger problems for the industry as a whole.

Possible Lessons for Business Owners

Luari’s story really does feel like a cautionary tale for entrepreneurs who want to scale up fast. Whether you’re running a cozy cafe in Greenwich or a bistro in Fairfield, you can’t ignore the need for sustainable growth.

Keeping tight financial controls matters, and so does adapting to what the local market actually wants. That’s just the reality.

Secure adequate financial reserves so you’re ready for those curveballs that always seem to come out of nowhere.
Conduct thorough market assessments before you leap into new towns or cities. It’s tempting, but don’t skip this step.
Strengthen operational oversight to make sure you’re paying bills on time and staying compliant—nobody wants those headaches.
Engage with the community and build loyalty. That support can make all the difference during tough stretches.

People in Connecticut’s restaurant scene are definitely watching Gina Luari’s next moves. Will she steady The Statement Group, or will there be more downsizing? Hard to say, but her journey shows just how complicated running multiple spots across the state can get.

—

Do you want me to also provide a **meta description** and keyword list for this blog post so it has maximum SEO impact? Those additions could make it much easier to rank for local Connecticut searches.

Here is the source article for this story: CT restaurateur loses location due to unpaid rent. Opening was funded with $150K public grant.

Discover Your Perfect Stay in Connecticut
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now