Miss Porter’s Closes On Farmington Grist Mill Property

Miss Porter’s School has closed on the purchase of Farmington’s first grist mill, most recently the location of a long-operating restaurant, according to brokers involved in the transaction.

The purchase price for the property at 44 Mill Lane was $810,000.

Miss Porter's has finalized the purchase of grist mill property in Farmington. Photo Courtesy of Press/Cuozzo.

Miss Porter’s issued this statement in response to an inquiry for comment: “We look forward to the careful consideration of the best use of the space in support of our mission to educate young women to become informed, bold, resourceful and ethical global citizens who will shape a changing world.”

The mill dates back to the 1640s and is located on 1.7 acres on the Farmington River. For more than two decades, the 5,600-square-foot structure was largely occupied by the Grist Mill Restaurant, first operated by Mario Zacco. The restaurant business was later sold to Anthony and Kristine Giraulo, who operated the restaurant until the restaurant moved to Avon.

The Giraulos told The Courant’s Hillary Federico in May that they could not reach acceptable terms on a renewal of their lease. The establishment — still named the Grist Mill Restaurant — has since moved to the former Carmen Anthony Fishhouse space.

Stephen Press, of Press/Cuozzo Commercial Services represented the sellers, The Trustees of the Estate of Mario Zacco. The buyers were represented by Gayle Talbot and Bruce Cagenello of Prudential Connecticut Realty.

The grist mill has housed a number of establishments over the years, and in 1919 it played a cameo role in a the movie “Way Down East.”

In 1963, the mill, encumbered by increasing production costs and competition from other businesses, closed its doors. It was later purchased by Helen Winter, who divided the space to make room for various shops, artists’ studios and a luncheon cafe.