Owner decides to hang on to popular hangout

By Brian McCready
Milford Bureau Chief
MILFORD — A month ago, Stonebridge Restaurant owner Richard Conine said he was putting his separate Daniel Street nightclub up for sale.
At the time, Conine’s nightclub had been in the news for a string of disturbances that occurred at the downtown hotspot.
But on Monday, Conine said he has reversed course, and the facility will remain in its current form. He also said a planned addition to the second floor is about to begin; it will feature a 100-seat theater. He said the second-floor addition work is likely to stretch into next year and could cost in excess of $1.5 million. Currently, the front of the building is being renovated.
“We are going to keep it,” Conine said of the business. “We are excited by Hollywood East moving into Stratford (at the former Army Engine Plant site.) We anticipate a gigantic surge in business.”
Conine said business has been good since the nightclub first opened in March 2005. He said that since the rash of arrests in late January, and early February the club has hired more police officers.
Conine also noted most of the incidents that led to arrests originated elsewhere, then it spilled over into his business.
“We’re a good business and provide entertainment, and allow people to have a drink and dance,” Conine said. “It’s not a problematic place.”
On one weekend in January, police were called to the Daniel Street club on four separate occasions. One incident included a man outside of the nightclub pulling a knife; another included police responding to a fight inside the club, and a woman alleging a man inappropriately touched her.
Police spokesman Officer Vaughan Dumas said Conine has been “proactive” in hiring more police, and while there were several incidents earlier in the year, none of them included local residents.
Economic and Community Development Director Robert Gregory said it’s a good thing for downtown that Conine’s club will remain.
He said he also is very pleased that the performance venue on the second floor is being added.
“It fits into the nighttime entertainment segment we have,” Gregory said.
Conine converted the former Putnam Furniture building at 21 Daniel St. into the nightclub, which is 25 feet from the Stonebridge.
The nightclub features comedy performances, jazz, deejays, bands and private parties.