Fill The Spot: 158 State Street

It looks like it could be a very classy restaurant and pub, and indeed the realty advertisements and layout of the interior suggest that this might be the best use. But the building at 158 State Street has seen other uses in the past.

A plaque from the Historic Waterfront District Heritage Trail puts the construction date at about 1771, making it the oldest building on State Street. The plaque goes on to say that it once held Timothy Green's print shop, which cranked out one of the earliest newspapers published in Connecticut. For more on Green, don't miss Johnna Kaplan's former .

Since then, other businesses at the address have included Tate & Neilan (the "New London Hatters"), an office for the Alling Rubber Co., and a florist. A slew of restaurants tried to make a go of it in the late 20th century, but none of them were able to hold on. Oh, and as seems to be the case with so many places around here, it might be haunted.

In recent years, signs at the property suggested that it would be opening up as the brewpub 1771 Tap & Grille. Unfortunately, these plans fell through and the space is now listed by Pequot Commercial.

The interior space includes a staircase to a second floor and an ornate bar. It measures 4,414 square feet and is part of New London's central business district.

What would you like to see here? Let us know in the comments.

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