Ansonia Park Celebrates New Beginning

ANSONIA - Although an extended thunderstorm cut short a proposed daylong celebration (Saturday, July 27) of Abe Stone Park’s new beginning, the rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the day’s ceremony that was well-attended by City residents and dignitaries.


Mayor David Cassetti spoke and thanked sponsors whose generous donations to the Mayor’s Ansonia Beautification Fund enabled the extensive park makeover. Free hot dogs were served throughout the afternoon, rain or shine, for all those attending. There was pickup basketball and wiffleball games, volleyball, boating on Colony Pond, and new hiking trails explored as the live band on hand played on. 

Mayor Cassetti invites residents to rediscover Abe Stone Park, take a hike around the pond. Bring family and friends for a cookout or outing. Come down to boat, fish, play basketball and enjoy the new volleyball court.

(This is a press release from Ansonia City Hall)

Ansonia Opens Revamped Wakelee Avenue

ANSONIA- A gathering of nearly 100 city officials and residents took part in Wakelee Avenue’s official ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday evening. The celebration culminates an eight month reconstruction of one of Ansonia’s most historic streets.

And what better location to host the ceremony as a backdrop was one of Wakelee Avenue’s marquee businesses – Roma’s Pizza. Owner’s Louie and Adrian offered up a seemingly endless serving of assorted pizzas, trays of chicken wings along with Christmas cookies, soda and coffee for all those attending.

The reconstruction project included milling and paving, new sidewalks, installation of 120 antique lamps, new drainage and granite curbing, trees, and benches along the mile long avenue.

(This is a press release from Ansonia City Hall)

Casa Bianca Pizza Opens in Ansonia

Sharing from City of Ansonia's Facebook Page:

ANSONIA-  A large crowd of customers and city officials attended the grand opening of Casa Bianca Pizza Nov. 29, including Mayor David Cassetti, Valley Chamber President Bill Purcell, 6th Ward Alderman Josh Shuart and Economic Development Commission President Bill Luneski.

Food samples abounded as confetti flew to celebrate Casa Bianca’s second location. The Ansonia location is being developed as a prototype franchise.

Casa Bianca, located at 669 Main St, offers pick-up and delivery daily and extra late hours.

Eddy's Bake Shop to Hold Grand Opening

Grand Opening of new Derby Restaurant on Tap

Got Beer?

Iconic Valley Music Store Revamped

 

 

  

ANSONIA - The official ribbon-cutting and grand re-opening of Ansonia's Banko's Music took place on Thursday, August 3, as more than 50 folks packed the late afternoon ceremony.

 

Those in attendance included Mayor David Cassetti, state Rep. Linda Gentile, Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell, former Banko’s owner Joe Salvati, new owner Joe Shapiro, Second Ward Aldermen Lorie Vaccaro, Fifth Ward Alderman Joe Jaumann, and Seventh Ward Alderman Frank DeLibero.

The popular music destination business in downtown Ansonia dates back to 1955.

Shapiro recently bought the business, which has undergone a top-to-bottom renovation and façade makeover.

The public grand  re-opening celebration is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. August. 5, featuring free food, free giveaways, live music and more.



(This is a press release from Ansonia City Hall) 

Iconic Valley Music Store to Hold Grand Re-Opening

ANSONIA - Banko's Music invites the community to an official ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday from 5-7 p.m. (with an official cutting at 5:30 p.m.) and also to its Grand Re-Opening Celebration Saturday from noon-5 p.m. 

Banko's Music, 360 E. Main St., is under new ownership. All are cordially invited to join in the festivities.

Invited guests are Mayor David S. Cassetti and Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell. Wine and beer will be served and there will be live music.

The Saturday Grand Re-Opening Celebration will have a free all-day cookout with non-alcoholic refreshments served, free giveaways, and live music.

Banko's Music has been in continued operation and at the same location for over 60 years. The original owner, Frank Banko, opened the store in 1955. It was then passed on to Joe and Sherry Salvati in 2001. 

Now the legacy of Banko's has been handed over to new owner Joe Shapiro.

He said, "As a loyal customer of the store for many years, I jumped at the opportunity to buy Banko's when I heard the previous owners were selling. I am grateful Joe and Sherry Salvati have agreed to stay on with us as employees. Going forward, I foresee Banko's Music reclaiming its past and rightful place as the center of the musical community in the Valley and beyond."

Banko's has recently been restored, renovated, and expanded. 

Banko's is committed to serving the musical needs of the Greater Valley area and beyond while providing a community-oriented environment. 

For more information visit www.Bankos.Rocks or contact natalie@bankos.rocks.

(This is a press release from Banko's)

Haynes Outdoor Living Showroom Opens in Seymour

SEYMOUR - Haynes Outdoor Living Showroom featuring the area’s largest displays of stone, pavers and outdoor living products for your home and yard invites held its grand opening for contractors and homeowners July 14-15.

 

Patrick Haynes, vice president of Haynes Materials said guests were treated to food courtesy of the company's outdoor grills and pizza oven, while they had a chance to experience "amazing outdoor living products at one convenient location.”

The two-day event featured a “Contractor’s Day” filled with demonstrations and product information seminars by Nicolock, Techo Bloc, Belgard and Unilock representatives pricing. On “Homeowner’s Day,” guests were treated to food, door prizes, raffles, entertainment and a live broadcast by WEBE 108FM. 

 

Dave Conti, local award winning owner of Red Planet BBQ and recent winner of 1^st Place Dessert at Mohegan BBQ Sunfest 2017 served as celebrity “grill master” during the event.

With an extensive display of custom built and “ready for delivery” outdoor kitchens, grills, fireplaces, fire-pits and burning rocks, Haynes Outdoor Living Showroom is your family destination for food and fun this weekend and all season long. 

 

“We are building a better world one stone at a time” said Patrick Haynes.

Haynes Outdoor Living is located at 600 Derby Avenue in Seymour, CT and the public is welcome. 

For more information please visit www.gohaynes.com or call 203-888-0030.

(This is a press release from Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce)

Iconic Valley Music Store Unveils New Sign

ANSONIA - The renovation of Banko’s Music is nearly complete with the addition of its new storefront sign, replacing the 70’s “feeling groovy” signage predecessor.

New owner Joe Shapiro of Shelton acquired, last year, the 1955 founded Ansonia landmark and has since completely renovated the interior retail space, exterior façade and second floor offices which also double as weekly open jam sessions and for music lessons.

Banko’s is located on 360 East Main Street.

They are planning a Grand Opening event later this summer.

(This is a press release from Ansonia City Hall)

Smile Dental Center Opens State-of-the-Art Facility in Shelton

Dr. Bruce Sofferman
 

SHELTON -  Smile Dental Center celebrated the grand opening of its new, state-of-the art facility at 1000 Bridgeport Ave, First Floor, in Shelton, on Thursday (April 27), with a reception drawing hundreds of people who were treated to food, drinks and a grand tour of the new space.

 

“Our new office is more spacious, contemporary, with state-of-the-art dental equipment and design and overall more comfortable for our patients” said Dr. Bruce Sofferman, Smile Dental Center Founder and Dentist. ”My team and I pride ourselves in providing the latest technology for our patients.To celebrate our new location Grand Opening, we invite our patients, friends, neighbors and colleagues to stop by at our practice, meet our team and familiarize yourselves with our new facility.”

 

For over 30 years, the team at Smile Dental Center have been working to enhance the overall health of the local community one patient at a time, and they always welcome new patients.With the new expansion of the dental practice, appointments will become more flexible for patients, allowing dental emergencies to be taken care of in a more efficient manner.

 

Dr. Bruce Sofferman, Dr. John Crocamo, Dr. Rebecca D’Andrea and their team are committed to improving the overall patient experience, hence, relocating to 1000 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton. This centralized location allows easy access for all patients to park – with parking spaces reserved exclusively for Smile Dental Center.  Everything was carefully done thinking about the patients’ convenience as priority. Smile Dental Center is committed to Shelton and the Greater Valley and to working together with those in the surrounding Greater Valley Community.

Grand Opening April 27 of Smile Dental Center in Shelton

 

SHELTON - Smile Dental Center has moved to 1000 Bridgeport Ave, First Floor, in Shelton, CT and invites the community to the Grand Opening of their new facility scheduled for Thursday, April 27^th from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm with the Official Ribbon Cutting at 4:30 pm. The mission of the practice is to provide the local community with high quality dental care with a specific focus and attention to patients.

 

“Our new office is more spacious, contemporary, with state-of-the-art dental equipment and design and overall more comfortable for our patients” said Dr. Bruce Sofferman, Smile Dental Center Founder and Dentist. ”My team and I pride ourselves in providing the latest technology for our patients.To celebrate our new location Grand Opening, we invite our patients, friends, neighbors and colleagues to stop by at our practice, meet our team and familiarize yourselves with our new facility.”

For over 30 years, the team at Smile Dental Center have been working to enhance the overall health of the local community one patient at a time, and they always welcome new patients.With the new expansion of the dental practice, appointments will become more flexible for patients, allowing dental emergencies to be taken care of in a more efficient manner.

 

Dr. Bruce Sofferman, Dr. John Crocamo, Dr. Rebecca D’Andrea and their team are committed to improving the overall patient experience, hence, relocating to 1000 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton. This centralized location allows easy access for all patients to park – with parking spaces reserved exclusively for Smile Dental Center.  Everything was carefully done thinking about the patients’ convenience as priority. Smile Dental Center is committed to Shelton and the Greater Valley and to working together with those in the surrounding Greater Valley Community. 

Seymour officials to welcome convenience store at long-vacant site

SEYMOUR - A grand opening of the Henny Penny convenience store at 2-4 New Haven Road will be held Wednesday, with an official ribbon cutting scheduled at 2 p.m.

Company officials, First Selectman Kurt Miller, and Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce representatives will be on hand.

Radio Station KC101 will be on-site running a live remote broadcast from 1-3 p.m. and will be giving away prizes.

The Henny Penny convenience store offering Shell gasoline and diesel fuel recently opened. 

The almost 3,000-square-foot facility was developed, and is operated by, an affiliate of Hendels, Inc., a third generation family and locally-owned company with 25 stores throughout Connecticut.

This post is taken from a press release from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Local band helps Ansonia restaurant celebrate opening

My husband Ralph and I enjoyed listening to The Mike and Mike Band perform Saturday at a block party hosted by The Pantry, a new breakfast and lunch restaurant at 384 E. Main St., Ansonia.

The party held to celebrate the restaurant's grand opening featured a car show, a bike show, and a pig roast.

The musicians are from left, Robert Liptrot of New Haven, Laurie Rios of Stratford, Omar Sanchez of New Haven, and West Haven residents and band founders Michael Martone and Michael Molyneux.

Cumberland Farms store opens in Ansonia

Grand opening held Thursday

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti pumps gas for customer and Project Manager Ryan Bernier./ Contributed photo

Phil Tripp, President, Ansonia Board of Aldermen, second from left, shakes hands with Augie Volkens, area sales manager for Cumberland Farms as Mayor David S. Cassetti, third from left, shakes hands with Walter Bukins, store manager. / Contributed photo

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti today announced the official grand opening of Cumberland Farms at 5 Pershing Drive.

“This Cumberland Farms is a beautiful addition to Ansonia’s business community, " Cassetti said. "I encourage everyone to stop by and see this really modern facility located in a convenient spot in Ansonia. This is a prime location and I am certain the business will thrive,” he said.

The new Cumberland Farms store boasts a wide variety of beverages, food, an outdoor eating area and gas. 
The new business employs 12 people and will eventually look to hire more in the future. 


This is a press release from Sheila O'Malley, Ansonia's Economic Development Director.

 

Irish restaurant opens at former Oxford House location

Brennan's Shebeen Irish Bar and Grill opens in Oxford. / Contributed photo

    OXFORD – First Selectman George R. Temple will celebrate the grand opening of a new Irish restaurant Sunday at the newly restored Oxford House.

    Temple will be on hand for a 2 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Brennan’s Shebeen Irish Bar and Grill, 441 Oxford Road. There will be live music from 3-7 p.m. by Alpaca Gnomes.

     The new restaurant features items such as Irish Nachos, steak, fish, chicken and Brennan’s Famous Chicken Wings.

     Temple said he’s delighted that a new restaurant of this caliber has come to town. 
“I’m also pleased that the new owner has kept the historic tradition of the Oxford House in both character and structure. Brennen’s Shabeen has a friendly environment that is welcoming and warm and promises to be a great addition to Oxford’s entertainment,’’ Temple said.

   Kieran McAlinden, who owns the restaurant along with partner Michael Brennan, invites everyone to stop by for the grand opening on Sunday.

    The historic Oxford House was recently restored by local developer Jay Borkowski and houses the restaurant and offices upstairs. 
    The Oxford House was built in 1795 and was once a hotel.


This is a press release from Temple's office.

Clean Harbors consolidates business, expands in Seymour

From left, Seymour Deputy First Selectwoman Nicole Klarides-Ditria, First Selectman W. Kurt Miller, Economic Development Director Fred A. Messore and Clean Harbors Senior Vice President Scott F. Metzger are seen during the Clean Harbors office building grand opening Thursday in Seymour. Peter Hvizdak — New Haven Register
 

By Patricia Villers, New Haven Register

Posted: 12/05/13, 5:18 PM EST | Updated: 7 hrs ago

  

SEYMOUR >> A festive atmosphere pervaded Thursday’s grand opening of the nationally known Clean Harbors, a business that provides environmental, energy and industrial services.

Clean Harbors consolidated its Milford and Bristol operations at a renovated 38,000-square-foot facility at 770 Derby Ave. The facility is adjacent to Route 8, offering the company access to major highways in Connecticut.

Customers, company officials and town leaders were on hand to learn about the Norwell, Mass.-based company, which employs more than 13,000 people nationwide.
Joseph Heron, general manager of field services, said consolidating operations makes for better management. About 60 people currently work in Seymour.
“This is a much bigger facility,” he said.

The building will be the base of operations for the company’s service and emergency response vehicles. They include vacuum and tanker trucks, excavators, boats, boom trailers and more.

The company responds to emergencies involving chemical spills, and it manages and collects hazardous waste for proper disposal. It operates 100 disposal facilities nationwide and in Canada, according to Heron.
He said the facility “is manned 24 hours” so crews can be sent out quickly in the event of an emergency.
Heron said the company is seeking to hire four to six people at the Seymour location.
“We’ll continue to hire local people,“ he said. “It helps with emergency response work.”
He said the company’s crews work closely with firefighters when they arrive at the scene of an emergency.

First Selectman Kurt Miller and Deputy First Selectwoman Nicole Klarides-Ditria were on hand to officially welcome the business to town,.
Miller said he was impressed when he met with company officials, and they asked what Clean Harbors could do to help Seymour.
He said he would be moving some of the town’s emergency equipment to the location.
Economic Development Director Fred Messore also was on hand Thursday, and has said he’s thrilled to have the business make Seymour its home.
“We are excited to see Clean Harbors select the Town of Seymour for their new field office based on our strategic location and easy access to routes 95, 84 and 91,” he said.
Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President William Purcell called the company’s history “fascinating.” He said what started in 1980 as an idea has grown into a strong enterprise.
“It gives us a level of comfort if (environmental) mishaps occur,” Purcell said.

Health and Safety Manager Jon Menti gave a tour of part of the facility to vendors and customers. He said most of his highly trained strike-team members working in emergency response are former firefighters.
Menti showed visitors the three levels of protective suits used by workers at emergency situations. He said they cost $900 each and must be tested after each use, or once a year if they have not been used.

According to the company website, Clean Harbors operates four businesses:
• Technical Services, which provides a broad range of vertically integrated hazardous and non-hazardous material management services. These include collection, packaging, transportation, recycling, treatment and disposal services offered at company-owned recycling, incineration, landfill, wastewater and other treatment facilities.
• Safety-Kleen, acquired by Clean Harbors in December 2012, providing used oil collection, recycling and re-refining, parts washing and other services for the small quantity generator market.
• Industrial and Field Services, which provides industrial and specialty services such as high-pressure and chemical cleaning, catalyst handling, decoking and material processing, supported by its lodging operations in Western Canada.
• Oil and Gas Field Services serving oil and gas exploration, production and power generation industries.

I took an interesting tour of the facility with several of the company's customers as well as representatives of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce and took a few photos, posted below.

  

 

    Jon Menti, health and safety manager, talks about emergency response procedures.

    Company trucks parked inside the cavernous bay. 

Clean Harbors holds grand opening in Seymour

Clean Harbors held its grand opening Thursday at 770 Derby Ave.,  Seymour. Stay tuned for a story in the New Haven Register.

Shelton ice cream shop celebrates grand opening

Pictured from left at the grand opening of Dave & Dave's Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor are Dave Grant, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell, Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, and Grant's father and business partner, David M. Grant. Patricia Villers / Register

SHELTON - Even though I wrote a story in April when Dave and Dave's Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor opened downtown I had to go back Wednesday and be part of the grand opening festivities.

I do enjoy ice cream. But who doesn't?

I thought there might be samples, and I was right.
It's always good to do research for a story. On Wednesday that meant sampling scoops of premium French-style ice cream, as well as delectable gourmet grilled cheese sandwich triangles, including one with arugula in it. 


Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell said, "Much like pizza, we have a love affair with ice cream." He said it was a day to "celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship."

Mayor Mark Lauretti joked, "When you're giving away free ice cream you can bet Bill Purcell and (Shelton Economic Development Corporation President) Jimmy Ryan will be here."
Lauretti congratulated the Grants and wished them "many successful years in this location."

Dave Sr. said "no one is more pro-business in the Valley than Shelton."

No doubt Trumbull resident Francesca Lemma, 8, summed up the opinions of everyone on hand when she said the ice cream was "delicious."