Long-Awaited Wilson's Pub Now Open in Collinsville

Updated June 24, 12:45 p.m. 

Wilson’s is open!

The long-awaited Collinsville pub opened its doors Thursday evening. 

"I’m just ready to be open,” Esther Witkos said.

Esther and Kevin Witkos may be the owner/operators of the pub but are quick to point out that the operation is a team effort, from some 10 employees to friends who pitched in with their services and sweat.

“It was a community effort to open this place,” Esther Witkos said.

It’s no secret that the operation ran into a few snares along the way. After Kevin Witkos and Gregory Boyko purchased the building in May of 2012, a sign in the window said Wilson’s was coming in the fall.

But Kevin Witkos said a myriad of issues came up, including equipment problems, delivery issues, last minute construction delays and more. 

“If things could go wrong it went wrong,” he said. “Perseverance paid off."

The pub's name is homage to the late “Bill” Wilson, who ran The Fireplace Café at the 3 River St. location for numerous years.

Several members of his family were on hand for the opening.

"I think dad would be really pleased," said Bill's daughter in law Heidi Wilson. 

Hours for now are 4 to 11 p.m. The restaurant will be closed Sunday, June 30 and July 4. After the 4th of July weekend - on July 8 - Kevin Witkos said the plan is to open from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

Keep up with Wilson's at https://www.facebook.com/WilsonsPubCT?notif_t=fbpage_fan_invite