MHQ HOLDS GRAND OPENING
Chandler Howard, Chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, announced that MHQ on Newfield Street in Middletown held an Open House event on Thursday, May 16, 2013.
Chamber President Larry McHugh noted, “MHQ is a terrific company and we are very excited that they have decided to move their Connecticut operation to Middletown. I want to thank the great team at MHQ for hosting Mayor Drew and me at the Open House, and we welcome them to the Middletown business community.”
MHQ is a regional upfitter of municipal vehicles including police, fire, public works, construction, university and many other public service agencies throughout the northeast. Established in 1979, MHQ has upfitted more than 80,000 special-purpose vehicles ranging from police cars, specialized law enforcement cars and trucks to motorcycles, SUV’s and heavy-duty trucks.
(Left to Right): Eric Withers, Marketing Director, MHQ, Frank Orlando, Operations Manager, MHQ CT, Mayor Dan Drew, City of Middletown, Charles Ribakoff, Chairman, MHQ, Bill Kieckhafer, Chief Executive Officer, MHQ, Larry McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
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LIBERTY BANK FOUNDATION commits $5,000 to the 2013 Middletown Summer Youth Employment Program
The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce has announced that Liberty Bank Foundation has committed $5,000 to the 2013 Middletown Summer Youth Employment Program. This important program, administered by The Business Industry Foundation of Middlesex County Inc., and the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, puts young Middletown residents to work in constructive environments during the summer months.
Program applicants are put through a comprehensive pre-employment screening process which takes into account their hobbies, interests, work experience, future plans, comfort level on the computer and on the phone and other important factors such as transportation and availability in the summer months. Program host sites come from the public sector, the non-profit sector, and most notably, the private sector.
Chamber President Larry McHugh noted, “This program teaches our young people not only the fundamentals of employment, such as getting to work on time and ready to contribute, but also the pride that comes with putting in a solid work week and receiving a paycheck that was earned through hard and honest work. I would like to thank Liberty Bank and Liberty Bank Foundation for their continued support of this important program and of many other community initiatives.”
The primary funder of this program is Workforce Alliance, the state’s south central Workforce Investment Board based in New Haven. The City of Middletown has committed to supporting this program for the second straight year. The Chamber is also reaching out to the local business community and to local foundations in an effort to create a true public/private partnership that helps to develop the workforce of the future.
Other committed funders for the 2013 Middletown Summer Youth Employment include Middle Oak, The Peach Pit Foundation, The Community Foundation of Middlesex County and the New England Emporium Eatery and Marketplace.
Photo (Left to Right): Michael Helfgott, Chairman, Liberty Bank Foundation, Jeff Pugliese, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Chandler Howard, President & CEO, Liberty Bank.
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TONIA'S TAILORING HOLDS GRAND OPENING
Washington Street, Middletown
Chandler Howard, Chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, announced that Tonia's Tailoring on Washington Street in Middletown held a Grand Opening event on Wednesday, May 8th. Chamber President Larry McHugh noted, “ Tonia Herring is a graduate of the Chamber’s Side Street to Main Street Business and Leadership Development Program and has done a great job with her new business. I want to thank Tonia for hosting Mayor Drew and I, and we are happy to officially welcome her to the Middletown business community.”
(Left to Right): Larry McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Dan Drew, City of Middletown, Tonia Herring, Tonia’s Tailoring, Jennifer De Kine, Side Street to Main Street Coordinator, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Paul Hughes, Middletown Small Business Development Center
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Open House and Ribbon Cutting Celebration
Northstar Wealth Partners
505 Main Street
Middletown, CT 06457
Chandler Howard, Chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, announced that Northstar Wealth Partners held an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Thursday, May 2, 2013. The event was held at their new Middletown location in the 505 Main Street Building.
Chamber President Larry McHugh noted, “I want to thank Frank Zocco, Howard Schachter and Steven Crabtree for hosting Mayor Drew and I at this terrific event. Northstar Wealth Partners is a great company and we are thrilled to have them in the Middletown business community.”
(Left to Right) Larry McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Steven Crabtree, Northstar Wealth Partners, Howard Schachter, Northstar Wealth Partners, Mayor Dan Drew, City of Middletown, and Frank Zocco, Northstar Wealth Partners
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TAINO SMOKEHOUSE HOLDS GRAND OPENING
Taino Smokehouse, a new restaurant located at 482 South Main Street in Middletown, held a Grand Opening on
Sunday, March 24, 2013.
Attached Photo: (Left to Right) Larry McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Patty Shaughnessy, Jenny Szewczyk, Dan Drew, Mayor, City of Middletown and Chris Szewczyk
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STERLING NATIONAL BANK-RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE DIVISION-MIDDLETOWN OFFICE HOLDS GRAND OPENING
Sterling National Bank, Residential Mortgage Division, held a reception at the Inn at Middletown on Wednesday, March 20th, celebrating the Grand Opening of its Middletown office. Chamber President Larry McHugh noted, “I was happy to meet with Ed Pawlik, Senior Loan Officer, Residential Mortgage Division, and Todd Brown, Vice President, Residential Mortgage Division, and I want to officially welcome them to the Middletown business community.”
Attached Photo: (Left to Right) Dan Drew, Mayor, City of Middletown, Edward Pawlik, Senior Loan Officer, Residential Mortgage Division, Todd Brown, Vice President, Residential Mortgage Division, Larry McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
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US RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE HOLDS GRAND OPENING
Us Restaurant and Lounge, a new restaurant located at 412 Main Street in Middletown, held a Grand Opening on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.
Attached Photo: (Left to Right) Larry McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Kendra O’Garro, Us Restaurant and Lounge, Dan Drew, Mayor, City of Middletown
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KGS INSURANCE SERVICES HOLDS WINE TASTING RECEPTION
On Thursday, March 7th, a Wine Tasting Reception was held at the KGS Insurance Services office on Court Street. This event celebrated a joint initiative between Kelly Smith, Certified Insurance Consultant and Principal, KGS Insurance Services, and Lizz Milardo, a Financial Planner with Barnum Financial Group.
Left to Right: Lizz Milardo, Financial Planner, Barnum Financial Group, Larry McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Kelly Smith, Certified Insurance Consultant and Principal, KGS Insurance Services.
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER HOLDS GRAND OPENING AT KIDS ARTSPACE
Kids Artspace, located at 955 South Main Street in Middletown, held a Grand Opening on Thursday, February 28, 2013. Kids Artspace is a hands-on, creative art studio developed to stimulate children’s imaginations and innate artistic abilities. Chamber President Larry McHugh noted, “ I would like to thank Tami Mendez for hosting us at the Grand Opening and I wish her and her team nothing but success as they support artistically gifted students at this new Middletown establishment.”
Attached Photo: Middlesex Chamber President Larry McHugh, Kids Artspace Director Tami Mendez and Middletown Mayor Dan Drew celebrate the Grand Opening with members of the Kids Artspace team and some local artistic youngsters.
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FAMILY EYECARE AND CONTACT LENS CENTER, LLC CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN EYECARE
Family Eyecare and Contact Lens Center, LLC has been serving the eye care needs of Middlesex County for 30 years. This full service optometry practice was started by Dr. Mark Chasse in January, 1983 and is located at 160 West Street in Cromwell.
Photo Courtesy of DeKine Photo
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER HOLDS GRAND OPENING AT LAN CHI RESTAURANT
Lan Chi Restaurant held a Grand Opening on Wednesday, February 20, 2013. Their was a wonderful turnout and the food was outstanding. It is another in a long line of great restaurants in Middletown
.
Photo Courtesy of DeKine Photo
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER HOLDS GRAND OPENING AT THE MIDDLETOWN ART ACADEMY
Middletown Art Academy held a Grand Opening on Thursday, February 7, 2013. Chamber President Larry McHugh noted, “I want to publicly thank Rusa D’Alessandro, Founder of the new Middletown Art Academy, for hosting a terrific Grand Opening on Thursday. This business is a great new addition to downtown Middletown.
Photo: Left to Right: Dmitri D'Alessandro, Middlesex Chamber President Larry McHugh, Middletown Art Academy Founder Rusa D’Alessandro, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER ANNOUNCES REOPENING OF AN ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY
A development that is getting new life in Connecticut reopened its doors recently in Middletown. On October 4th, Sonoma Woods, a 68-home Active Adult development held its first Grand Opening in over four years to a crowd of interested customers. The development was originally started back when times were good but spent some time in a dormant condition. By the time the market slowed however, Sonoma had garnered 44 sales and those homeowners remained loyal to the development even after the original developer left the scene.
The owners formed their homeowners' association and managed their community affairs on their own for a few years. A year ago, Bob Wiedenmann of Wallingford-based Sunwood Development Corp. negotiated with the lender and acquired the remaining development rights. The homeowners welcomed Sunwood and Bob began to make improvements to the neighborhood early on.
Sunwood hired Prudential CT Realty's New Homes and Land Division to market the remaining 24 homes. An unfinished home sold first after Sunwood completed it. Then, work began on building the new homes to be offered.
Since late summer, three new homes have been built and two more have sold.
The development's brochure and website have already been cited by the State Home Builders and Remodelers Association as best in class at their annual awards banquet in November. A visit to the website features this description: "Beautifully situated on over 37 acres, Sonoma Woods is the perfect place to relax and meet new friends. Our residents enjoy a community lifestyle of travel, neighborhood activities, holiday gatherings, picnics, dinner parties, book club meetings, men's monthly breakfasts, ladies' luncheons, hiking club, exercise group activities and golf outings."
The name Sonoma suggests the wine country and names of the home styles each have wine in their names like Chardonnay, Cabernet and Zinfandel.
Home prices in Sonoma Woods start at $299,900 for a one-floor ranch-style home called the Zinfandel plan. It features a large unfinished basement that, on some lots offers a walk-out opportunity. Other plans include cape-style homes with second floor bedrooms and bathrooms. Sizes of the homes range from 1,470 square feet for the Zinfandel Ranch to 2,402 square feet for the Chardonnay Reserve Cape model.
As the market improves, it is hoped that Sonoma Woods can be completed and sold out in the next few years. Interested buyers can access the community at sonomawoods.com or by calling (860) 816-4638.
Photo (Left to Right): Chamber President Larry McHugh, Amy Wiedenmann of Wallingford-based Sunwood Development Corp, Marie Coughlin and Beth DiLoreto of Prudential Connecticut Realty, Bob Wiedenmann of Wallingford-based Sunwood Development Corp, Terence Beaty of Prudential Connecticut Realty
Source: Prudential Connecticut Realty
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER HOLDS GRAND OPENING AT
RAMANI'S MENSWEAR AND FORMAL WEAR AND LASTRINA GIRLS BRIDAL SALON
Ramani’s Menswear and Formal Wear and Lastrina Girls Bridal Salon, a combined store offering tuxedos and women’s bridal gowns, held a grand opening at their location at 308 Main Street on Thursday, November 15, 2012.
Pictured from left to right: Mayor Dan Drew, owners Scott Colavito and Krista Lastrina Matthews, Middlesex Chamber President Larry McHugh
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER HOLDS GRAND OPENING AT RAG & BONE
Rag & Bone, a thrift store that sells antiques and other great collectibles, held a grand opening at their location at 484 Main Street on Thursday, November 15, 2012.
Pictured from left to right: Middlesex Chamber President Larry McHugh, owner Dale Messinger, Mayor Dan Drew
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FUSION BAKERY & PATISSERIE HOLDS GRAND OPENING IN MIDDLETOWN
Chandler Howard, Chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, announced that Fusion Bakery & Patisserie held a Grand Opening on Friday, November 2, 2012.
The business recently completed a move to 100 Riverview Center, Suite 135.
For more information, please visit www.fusionbakery.com
Photo: Left to Right: Middletown Mayor Dan Drew, Patrick Harding of Harding Development Group, Fusion Owner Steve Pikos, Peter Harding of Harding Development Group, Fusion Pastry Chef and Manager Jennifer McGuinness, Middletown Downtown Business District Executive Director Quentin Phipps.
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER HOLDS GRAND
OPENING EVENT FOR FROYO WORLD
Pictured from left to right: Anne Rankin,Manager, Mayor Dan Drew, Susan Shaw-Santoro, Owner,
Kathy Thomas, Owner, Larry McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, G.G. Gonzalez, Employee
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER HOLDS GRAND OPENING
EVENT FOR PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA
Pictured from left to right: Larry McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Jay Hamilton,
Dan Hamilton, Heather Hamilton, Ryan Hamilton, Jacie Hamilton, Ashley Hamilton, Bob Santangelo, Deputy Mayor, City of Middletown
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER CENTRAL BUSINESS BUREAU NAMES
MARY ANN LENTZ OF LIBERTY BANK AS ITS AL AWARD RECIPIENT
(Middletown, Conn.) Daniel Ostrow, Chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Central Business Bureau (CBB), announced that it has named Mary Ann Lentz of Liberty Bank as the recipient of its 2012 Al Award.
The award is named after Middletown Fire Marshal Al Santostefano, who has been a member of the CBB for 27 years, and is given to a member of the CBB who provides service above and beyond what is required or expected. The CBB presents this award to one of its members each year. Frank Kuan of Wesleyan University received the inaugural Award in 2010, and Rich Greco of Nationwide Investments received the 2011 Award.
Mary Ann Lentz began her career with Liberty Bank in 1997, when she became the Branch Manager of the new Middlefield Office. She is now a Vice President and Manager of the Main Office in Middletown and has held that position for eight years.
Mary Ann has been a volunteer for the CBB’s many events, including Cruise Night On Main, Middletown Motorcycle Mania, Holiday On Main Street, and the Annual Business After Work Auction. She is also on the Board of Directors of Middlesex Chamber and has volunteered on the Business & Education Advisory Council (former chair) and the Annual Business to Business Expo. For over 20 years, she has been the Superintendent of Gates at the Durham Fair. Ms. Lentz resides in Higganum.
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER HOLDS GRAND OPENING
EVENT FOR FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIO
Pictured from left to right: Larry McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce,
Christina Dufour, Chris Wright-Martell, Raquel Gomez, Jesse Stanley, Kimber Pertucci, Bob Santangelo