The Venetian Restaurant has been a landmark at 52 East Main Street in Torrington for nearly a century. The rear wood-frame section of the building dates to 1844 and was erected as a store and residence. The front portion, with its Neoclassical façade, was built in 1898 by two German immigrants, William Witzke and Oscar Stoeckert, who opened a saloon in the building. An Italian restaurant opened in 1921 named Charles and Antoinette for its owners, Charles and Antoinette Finello Giampaolo. In 1925 they renamed it The Venetian. In 1931, the building was remodeled with the addition of a neon sign, art deco glass block windows and interior murals of Venice. In 1970, the Giampaolo family sold the restaurant to Michael and Fiorita DiLullo, who are only the second owners in The Venetian’s ninety-eight-year history.
