The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Winsted enjoys business boomlet
4 new restaurants, 5 new shops open in past 2 years with more on the way
WINSTED — On a sunny Monday this week, Phillip Allen, of the town’s Economic Development Commission, gave a walking tour of the downtown blocks between Bridge and Oak streets.
He said within the last two years, four new restaurants and five new businesses have opened, and in the last few months the pace has noticeably picked up.
One of the new businesses in the Mad River Lofts building is the Blue Dandelion Yoga studio, owned by Becky Thompson. She is one of the first entrepreneurs to move into the 19th-century mill building at 10 Bridge St.
Thompson led the way for a number of other startups, which have set up shop in a roughly three-block area on Main Street, across from the lofts.
Thompson said she couldn’t pass up a chance to open her yoga studio in the building.
“It spoke to me. I love it,” she said. Thompson is particularity fond of the historic nature of the old mill. The open-ceiling design reveals massive chestnut beams, circa-1890 and the original hardwood floors were left intact.
“Having a studio is new to me,” Thompson said. She has taught yoga and offered massages for eight years, but decided it was time for a permanent location.
Thompson opened in October, and said word of mouth, as well as her posts Facebook and Instagram, have attracted students.
Two Farms Market at 244 Main St. is as new as a fresh egg; a fitting simile for the store that sells chicken and duck eggs.
The market, which opened three weeks ago, offers farmfresh produce and dairy products. The two farms in the store’s name are the Barden and MarWin farms, in New Hartford.
Anita Barden said her family began selling their produce at the New Hartford farmers’ market about 12 years ago. They partnered with the Dahill family, of MarWin Farms, who raise poultry. Then, the Bardens “saw the space was open (in Winsted) and decided they needed a brick-andmortar building,” Allen said.
The Barden farm has been in the family for five generations. While many children of farm families have turned away from farming, the Bardens’ daughter, Cara Donovan, said “leaving was never a question.” She studied farming business and animal science at the State University of New York, Cobbleskill. “Cara is a real asset,” her mom said.
“We grow 78 varieties of heirloom eggplant, and from 20 to 25 varieties of heirloom tomatoes,” Cara said. “We’re happy to be here to provide fresh produce that’s locally grown.”
Dave Rogozzine is happy to have opened Still River Outfitters at 236 Main St. two months ago. “I chose this specific spot. I liked the location,” he said.
The store’s most popular items, Rogozzine said, are live bait and lures made by Rapala. Someone new to fishing who doesn’t own any equipment can get started in the sport for about $100, Rogozzine said.
He talked with Allen about opening access to the Mad River across the street, for fishermen. “It would increase the visibility of the river,” Allen said.
In addition to these new businesses, Allen said larger companies are about to move nearby. The former homeof the Super Saver at 372 Main St. soon will open as an extension of the Torrington-based Community Health and Wellness Center, he said.
A few blocks east, on Rowley Street, Allen said, a branch of the Torrington Federal Credit Union is scheduled to open. He said it’s another step in the effort to revitalize the downtown area and continue to attract new businesses.