Find your way around town with new Greenwich jigsaw puzzles
GREENWICH — The town has released a new map for the holiday giftgiving season, but you might want to consult Google if you need directions in a hurry.
That’s because the new version of the hometown map is in jigsaw puzzle form — in fact, two puzzles that come in more than 500 pieces each.
“What a great keepsake of our beloved hometown,” First Selectman Fred Camillo said in a YouTube video on the gift item.
“These puzzles are a wonderfully creative idea for a truly local ‘all things Greenwich’ gift at an affordable price,” said Barbara Johann, mmuseum store manager at the Greenwich Historical Society, one of the shops where the puzzles can be purchased.
“The puzzles will appeal to all ages, and will be especially great for family fun during the holidays and on cold winter days,” she said.
Visit Greenwich CT created the puzzles, which are advertised on its site along with totes, tea towels, magnets and other souvenirs dreamed up by founder/ marketing director Liz Norfleet.
“I’m always trying to grow and evolve and come up with something new,” she said.
Last year it was the popular Greenwich version of the Monopoly game, which is still available in some locations. This year, Norfleet took inspiration from the popular town map she originally launched a few years ago with help from Greenwich Point Marketing.
The puzzle features illustrations from New Hampshire artist Jim Roldan and is manufactured in Wisconsin, Norfleet said.
The first puzzle covers Byram to Cos Cob with Glenville, Downtown, Belle Haven, Mead Point and Milbrook all represented. The second features Old Greenwich and Riverside with a shout out to the ever-popular Greenwich Point Park.
Andrew Lev, store manager of Smart Kids Toys located downtown, said he has noticed an uptick in sales of the jigsaw jumbles in the past few weeks as the holidays approach and puzzle become a stay-athome pastime.
“They have been very popular,” he said.
Norfleet said the new puzzles have been wellreceived by local shoppers who want to own a hometown-themed item. She has heard about people buying them for keepsakes, birthday presents and even closing gifts from real estate agents.
In addition to Smart
Kids Toys and the Greenwich Historical Society, local shoppers can find the puzzles at Abilis Gardens & Gifts, Back 40 Mercantile, the Bruce Museum, Joe Studio Café, Greenwich Hospital, Sophia’s Jewelry & Gifts and Splurge Gifts in
town. The puzzles cost $34 each.
For more information about hometown-themed gift items, visit www.visitgreenwichct.com/ and check out the video at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=zjfBWmbfOc8.