Stonington — There is a final frenzy of activity at 20 Old Stonington Road as the new owners of the former clam shack there put the finishing touches on their latest endeavor, Dog Watch BBQ & more.

The owners of the original Dog Watch Café at Dodson Boatyard in Stonington borough are opening their barbecue and more restaurant on June 20 about four miles away, at the former home of Cove Fish Market.

Husband and wife David and Wendy Eck, and Wendy's brother, Clay Burkhalter, opened the first Dog Watch in May 2008, and are expanding with the second establishment, which will feature slow-smoked barbecue, traditional sides such as baked beans and macaroni and cheese, as well as native corn and tomatoes, and many other options.

This week, landscapers have been planting shrubs and putting down sod and mulch, as contractors erected fencing and completed work both inside and outside of the restaurant.

In March, the partners bought the just over half-acre property from Nick and Jill Scola, who ran the fast-food eatery for two years with help from their daughter, Nicole.

The Dog Watch partnership paid $550,000 for the land and buildings, located off Route 1 across the street from Mystic Coastal Flooring and near the Big Y.

They have pretty much gutted and rebuilt the building on the property and are remaking the outdoor space to include stamped-concrete walkways and patios, fire pits, canopied seating areas, lawns and an outdoor bar.

They have planted a wall of mature arborvitae — 72 to be exact — to create a buffer between Old Stonington Road and the adjacent Route 1.

"We want this to be a place where families can come and kids can run around," David Eck said.

After visiting a very busy barbecue restaurant in South Carolina several years ago, Eck said he determined that a similar place in Stonington would be a success.

But when he went to inquire about the old Cove Fish Market property, he learned the Scolas had just bought it and would open the Cove Restaurant.

Now, with the Scolas giving up the property, Dog Watch is opening a sister restaurant.

With the exception of three salads already served at Dog Watch in the borough, Eck said the new restaurant will have its own menu.

Staples will include brisket, pork, ribs and chicken slow-cooked in a commercial cooker overnight.

The 2,500-pound Myron Mixon smoker was made locally, at Seconn Fabrication in Waterford.

In addition to the regular barbecue items, there will be specials prepared in the slow-cooker, such as prime rib and turkey, too.

And, there will be many other options for customers looking for something other than barbecue, Eck said.

He also noted that Dog Watch BBQ & more will offer take-out and catering services.

The kitchen at the new establishment is much larger than at the original restaurant, allowing the partners to take on catering requests that they haven't been able to handle before.

The restaurant will be a hybrid of what Eck called "fast casual," explaining that customers will pick their own seats and order their own food from a walk-up window when they are ready.

The idea is for customers to linger if they want to, not be rushed to get in, order and get out.

Wait staff will deliver orders to tables, but like at the outdoor bar at the Dog Watch, barbecue customers will be able to order a drink from an outside bar and sip it while playing cornhole, giant Jenga or ring toss.

Dog Watch BBQ will be open year-round, although the indoor seating is more limited. There are about 120 seats total, but just 40 are inside.

Between the two restaurants, Eck said the partners anticipate having about 130 employees, with about 55 to 60 of them at the new place.

Some staff will go back and forth between the two businesses, Eck said.

The head chef of both establishments is Jim Ward, and Francis Collymore will be the chef at the barbecue restaurant.

The original Dog Watch is very busy, and Eck said people question why he would take on another restaurant.

"Hopefully people will come," he said. "People think I'm crazy but I have such a good feeling about this property. When I went to Clay and Wendy with this idea, they looked at me like I was nuts."

Hours at the new establishment will be 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Eck said they plan to officially open the doors on June 20.

a.baldelli@theday.com