New Business Brings Back An Old Favorite

Carlos Veracruz was a long-time manager at Johnny Rockets in Mohegan Sun when he met Montville High graduate Niki Lahaniatis, a name that may bring back warm memories of Montville’s gone but not forgotten Trading Cove Pizza.  

The great pizza restaurant was a favorite around town until it closed years ago and all it took was an ambitious young relative and the experience of seasoned general manager to resurrect the recipes and start anew.  

Long Shots Sports Café, located in the Stop and Shop plaza, is an unlikely spot to find the slice of pizza you’ve been comparing all the others to but believe it or not, it’s authentic. Veracruz said he met Lahaniatis (daughter of the Trading Cove Pizza owners) when they both managed Johnny Rockets and it was probably only a matter of time before the two would hatch a plan to strike out on their own.  

“The whole thing happened pretty quickly,” he said. “It was about eight months from the first time we discussed it to the time we opened the doors. It was meant to be.”  

Of course with all that experience and ambition and a trusted recipe, finding success in the restaurant business is anything but a long shot. Veracruz said they’ve been open for six months, they employ 25 people from the area and so far, things are going well.  

“I do like it. I love the business, I don't know if I'd be able to do anything else,” said Veracruz.  

Veracruz said, “there's a lot to like about it. Like the interacting with customers, you meet someone new every single day and training employees and seeing them develop. It’s rewarding.”  

Patch wanted to know more…  

Veracruz said customers can expect to watch NHL, NBA, NFL, MBA and golf channel and just about anything related to sports. But that’s not all the café offers. There is live music every weekend with acoustic music on Fridays and bands on Saturday.  

The menu is eclectic with appetizers like onion rings to roast garlic naan to a variety of paninis, grinders, burgers, calzones and of course, the renowned Trading Cove pizza. And, there are a number of food and drink specials throughout the week but one thing Veracruz said customers really appreciate is that the kitchen is open all night.  

“If you want food at 1 a.m., we’ll make it,” he said.  

The restaurant opens everyday at 11 a.m. and is open until 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.  

Why’d you settle on this location in Montville?

The restaurant is located where Chen’s Buffet used to be – in the corner of the Stop and Shop plaza in Uncasville.  

“We love the location. We liked the proximity to the casino and it's a great demographic, it’s an easy on and off to a major highway,” plus he said. “Niki was looking to go back to her roots. It just made a lot of sense.”  

What do people keep coming back for?

Veracruz says the restaurant does have quite a few regulars and for that, he gives credit to his staff.

“I think people come back because they like the atmosphere, the staff is friendly and the food is priced right," he said.

He said it might be helpful that management and the owners are visible. Veracruz brings his two your daughters to work with him all the time and he says the sports café is very family friendly.  

“As long as your mind and your heart are set in it, it's a good way to earn a living.”

Long Shots Sports Cafe is located at 2020 Norwich New London Turnpike in Uncasville in the Stop and Shop plaza. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. everyday and closes at 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Call (860) 892-8811 for more info.