NORWICH – Opening his own restaurant is all Daniel Parker says he has ever wanted to do, and at age 22 it’s a goal he has been able to achieve with the grand opening of the Uptown II.

On Aug. 1, the Uptown II opened for the first time. The business, located next to Townsend’s Variety on Broad Street on the ground floor of the former Morrisville building, offers a full menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner choices, with breakfast available all day.

“My parents owned the Uptown when I was a kid, and it was the best experience I ever had,” Parker said. “As long as I can remember, that’s all I wanted to do.”

The original Uptown Restaurant closed its doors approximately eight years ago, when Parker was 14. When he was old enough he began working at different area restaurants, including Burger King, where he served as a manager for many years.

“I worked at Burger King as a manager for years, but fast food just wasn’t my scene. I wanted to open my own restaurant,” Parker said.