Avon Restaurant Week returns for its second year with prix fixe and special menus at restaurants across town, perfect for revisiting favorites or trying somewhere new at a set price. Participating spots range from local staples like Max a Mia and BouNom Café & Bakery to coffee shops, bakeries, and international cuisine (see the full list here). Note that some menus are dine-in or take-out only; tax and gratuity not typically included.

The week kicks off early with Sip & Savor on February 19 from 6–9 PM at the Avon Old Farms Hotel. This ticketed tasting event features bites and drinks from local eateries, live music, raffles benefiting the Avon Food Pantry, and guest voting for Best Appetizer and Best Cocktail/Mocktail.

A delicious way to support local, whether you stop in once or make a week of it.

At first glance, Lisa’s Crown & Hammer in Collinsville looks like a classic pub, but behind its walls lies a story that helped shape an industrial powerhouse.

The Collins Company, founded in 1826, became world famous for axes, picks, and other edged tools. Its location along the Farmington River provided water power for the machinery that forged and finished the metal. But making tools was only half the challenge; they also had to get them to market.

To solve that, Collins secured a railroad line through its property in the mid 1800s by offering a right of way, a freight depot, and financial incentives. The rail depot, the very building now housing Crown & Hammer, became the logistical hub for shipping thousands of tools daily to national and international markets. From building railways to supplying miners and farmers, Collins’ products traveled far and wide, and the depot was at the center of it all.

The pub’s name, “Crown & Hammer,” references an iconic Collins Company emblem introduced in 1876: an arm rising from a crown, wielding a blacksmith’s hammer. This mark, stamped on tools and labels, signified authenticity and quality, a nod to the company’s heritage that lives on in the restaurant’s branding today.

After the company closed in 1966, the depot and surrounding buildings remained, preserving the industrial character of Collinsville. Over time, these spaces found new life as shops, studios, and community hubs. In 2005, the rail depot was transformed into a cozy restaurant, keeping the historic structure active and part of daily life.

Inside the Crown & Hammer retains its historic charm: exposed brick, wood beams, and a spot near the river recall the building’s industrial past. The menu leans on comfort food and local ingredients, creating a warm, welcoming space where history and modern life intersect.

Sitting down at Lisa’s Crown & Hammer is more than just a meal; it’s a connection to Collinsville’s story. The building that once loaded tools bound for distant railways now hosts diners, keeping the town’s industrial legacy alive in a way that feels both natural and fitting. In this blend of past and present, the pub perfectly embodies Collinsville’s enduring spirit: rooted in history, yet very much part of today.

📜Did You Know?
Collins Company produced over 1,300 different types of edge tools, not just axes but also machetes, adzes, picks, hoes, hatchets, knives, and more.

🔍Valley Trivia
Which of these drinks isn’t on the menu at Lisa’s Crown & Hammer?

A) Collinsville Collins
B) Irish Iced Coffee
C) Naughty Nurse
D) Farmington River Fizz

Here’s what’s on deck this week around the Valley — mark your calendars!

Look for icons to find your crowd: 🎈 kid-friendly • 👤 adult • 🌞 all ages

Library Events

Discover what’s happening at your local library. Registration may be required—check with each library for full details and other events.