Plans for new Derby shopping center shared

Derby had some upbeat economic development news this week.

The former site of Valley Bowl and several other businesses on Pershing Drive is going to be transformed into the Pershing Drive Shopping Center.

So far an Aldi supermarket and a Panera Bread store with a drive-through window have committed to locating there, Mayor Anthony Staffieri announced.
There will also be a bank branch and two other buildings that will house as yet-unnamed businesses on the 5.5-acre parcel.

Here is a section of the site to be developed. At the far end on the right is Italian Pavilion.

End of an era in Derby

Only the canopy remains from the old Italian Pavilion

The building that housed the Italian Pavilion Restaurant on Pershing Drive in Derby was razed today. The restaurant is still alive and well a few yards away at the site of the former Brickhouse Restaurant at 90 Pershing Drive. 

Do you remember when the Italian Pavilion was located in the former Downtown Ansonia Mall, where Ansonia Shopping Center now stands? I do.

I also remember back when the Pershing Drive site was home to DeLuca's Pasta, a restaurant where they made their own pasta.

What are your memories of the restaurant and the adjacent Valley Bowl? Please share them in the comments section.