SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

Restaurant

Fire by Forge is a Pan-American inspired, chef-driven, concept that includes a café, full-service restaurant, bar, and catering operation. Our restaurant features seasonal menus and sources fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients whenever possible. The restaurant is located in the historic former Billings & Spencer Company in Frog Hollow, close to the State Capital, The Bushnell Theater, and Asylum Hill neighborhood. Fire by Forge is fully integrated with our job training program.

Please note that The Kitchen Cafe has been combined into Fire by Forge. Enjoy café specialties and service at Fire by Forge for breakfast and lunch. We also offer full-service dining and bar at lunch and dinner.

Catering

Fire by Forge Catering provides both onsite and offsite catering. We can host an event at the restaurant, in our conference and event center, at your location, or at your venue of choice in the Greater Hartford area. Whether you need drop off lunches, breakfast, or full-service catering, we are available to meet your needs. Formerly known as The Kitchen Catering, we now operate under the Fire by Forge umbrella. Fire by Forge Catering is fully integrated with our job training program.

Grocery

The Grocery on Broad Street is a joint venture in partnership with Connecticut Foodshare. Slated to open in the latter half of 2023, it is a neighborhood grocery store offering fresh produce, dairy, meats, prepared foods, and grocery staples. We use a sliding scale pricing model, making access to wholesome and quality food in our neighborhood affordable for all. The Grocery on Broad Street is also fully integrated with our job training program, with a particular focus on youth (18-26).

Conference & Event Center

The Lyceum Conference & Event Center in Frog Hollow (Lawrence Street) has been a neighborhood landmark since the 19th century. Its sweeping arches and inviting spaces, paired with modern technological amenities, make it an ideal location for conferences, meetings, social events, and corporate events. We provide catering services as well as other amenities. It is the perfect site for a small off-site meeting, large conference, small wedding, rehearsal dinner, retirement dinner, baby shower or any other event you can think of. 

The Lyceum is a project of the Melville Charitable Trust, whose generous investments in organizations and projects in Connecticut and at the national level have led the way in finding and fighting the causes of homelessness. The Trust’s restoration of The Lyceum and investment in the Frog Hollow neighborhood are building a stronger community–offering a full range of resources for the neighborhood, the city, and the state.

When you utilize The Lyceum and our catering services, you are directly supporting the work of Forge City Works and our job training program.