Blondie's restaurant to return under new owners

The passing of Linda "Blondie" Jones on July 18 saddened a community that went to Blondie's restaurant for homestyle cooking and socializing with "family" they had in fellow customers, staff and especially Linda.

"She treated her customers like family," longtime patron Bill Lopez said.

"She'd come up to the table and check on you," he said, even though Jones hadn't performed official waitress duties in years.

Lopez said no matter what happens to the restaurant, a Shelton staple for 23 years, Jones' spirit will linger.

Blondie's closed after Jones' memorial celebration July 31, but Rose Maples, Jones' sister, told the Journal new owners plan to reopen the restaurant after renovating the property, which includes adjacent hotel Shelton Inn.

They hope to reopen by Dec. 1, she said.

"The owners of the hotel have made it clear to me that they would be putting in a restaurant with the Blondie's menu. The same things the community received from Blondie's, they will get in the future," Maples said.

Maples and her nephew, who ran Blondie's kitchen, were asked to stay on and run the renovated restaurant.

"We're still deciding," she said, adding she was getting Linda's affairs in order.

Maples has been busy organizing the memorial for Jones, who died unexpectedly.

The celebration of Jones' life last week brought together friends, staff, customers and other family for one last sit-down at the old tables and counter for complimentary cake and reminiscing.

Cindy Bennett said Jones used to work for her many years ago when Bennett owned the Pine Tree restaurant.

"It was her dream to own her own restaurant," she said.

"She was a dear, sweet friend," Bennett said.

She said Jones always remembered her customers. Many would go away for the winter and when they returned and came in, no matter how long they'd been gone, Jones would ask, "The usual?"

She'd know exactly what they wanted, Bennett said.

"She's going to be sorely missed," Lopez said.

A regular customer pointed out flyers at the memorial table that had a quote from Bill Bennot, a pastor.

"How we walk with the broken speaks louder than how we sit with the great," the flyer read.

"That's how Linda lived," the customer said.

Maples agreed.

"That's just who she was," Maples said.

She said her sister wanted to ensure people felt welcome at the restaurant.

"It didn't matter if they were homeless. We fed a lot of people who were homeless," she said.

So many people came throughout the day to the celebration for Jones' life at the restaurant, all saying how much Jones will be missed, Maples said.

At the close of the memorial, they did a "Mary Tyler Moore" ending, Maples said, referencing the long-running sitcom's finale that sees Mary smile before turning the lights off and closing the door to the newsroom, where the show was set.

"We turned off the lights and shut the door," Maples said.

"It was wonderful. She was very loved."