Windsor mayor sells Bart's Drive-in after 18 years

Collin Atwood, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

Jan. 24—WINDSOR — After 18 years of cooking up hotdogs and serving fries, Mayor Donald Trinks has sold Bart's Drive-In, the popular family-friendly restaurant on Palisado Avenue.

Trinks said he signed the papers on Jan. 13 finalizing the sale of iconic restaurant, which has been in the Windsor community for over 70 years. A local family that also owns the neighboring Domino's Pizza bought Bart's.

"I will absolutely, without question, miss the interactions that I've had with customers over the years," Trinks said. "I legitimately couldn't get to work fast enough."

Trinks could often be found behind the counter, out front talking with customers, working the grill or taking orders on the phone, leading the team as they served up hamburgers, hotdogs, fried fish and ice cream to hungry customers. He says he has loved every second of it.

"I'm in my element and in my glory at the counter talking to people," he said. "I will absolutely miss that part."

Trinks purchased Bart's on Feb. 14, 2005, making him the fourth owner in the restaurant's long history. He originally went in on the diner with two partners, purchasing the building and land for $350,000, land use records show. He bought his partners out in 2008.

He said that there were several offers for Bart's, but knows that the new owners of Domino's will keep the name that brings in customers from near and far.

Trinks, who turns 62 in March, said he has been working since he was 12-years-old and that it is time to enjoy quality time with his now-retired wife. He said he is especially excited to get started on respooling his fishing gear.

"The pace has been pretty hectic for 18 years," he said.

As far as his duties as mayor of Windsor, Trinks said, he won't be leaving that job just yet.

"I'm fully committed to sticking that out until at least November," he said. "We'll see what happens when it comes time to make that decision."

Trinks has served 11 terms as mayor and 28 years on the Town Council.

Collin covers South Windsor and East Hartford for the Journal Inquirer.