News

Monday, January 11, 2021

A shopper’s eyes sparkle as she enters the inviting space. Gifts, books, toys, journals and candles surrounded her for the first time in months. “Everything is so beautiful and I’ve missed it so much”, she says. Last year challenged all retail businesses - but creativity and tenacity anchor Bank Square Books in downtown Mystic. Health measures are noticeable but strolling down spacious aisles feels like visiting an old friend. A wall of journals, floral pencils, and refillable pens stimulate creativity. The intimacy of writing with a beautiful pen in an inviting journal is a meditation that can’t be matched by electronics...

Consumer Trends Bring Opportunity for Small Businesses

Friday, January 08, 2021

Shifting Shopping Trends Provide New Opportunities For Small Business Owners Click here for the full article

Developer presents new draft plan for 931-unit, mixed-use development

Wednesday, January 06, 2021

Following concerned and critical comments from several residents of Boulder Court and Hancock Drive at a special meeting of the Groton Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday night, developer Jeff Respler laid out his latest vision for Mystic River Bluffs, a luxury 931-unit, mixed-use development at the Mystic Education Center property, site of the former Mystic Oral School. Jonathan Reiner, director of planning and development for the town, stressed that presentation of the draft master plan was "very preliminary" and there's no application yet. He said the commission is working on regulations that will lay out a permitting path for an application...

Three Rivers gets $705,000 grant to teach welding to Electric Boat workers

Monday, January 04, 2021

Norwich — Three Rivers Community College has secured a $705,000 grant from Advanced Technology International to develop and teach a welding course, with a Navy certification, to Electric Boat workers. Erin Sullivan, acting director of noncredit programs, explained that Three Rivers works in collaboration with EB, which needs welding support at its Quonset Point site in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Manufacturing director Bret Jacobson explained that because Columbia-class submarines start at Quonset Point, the site in Rhode Island is hitting its surge before the Groton site. Click here for the full article

Chelsea Groton loan officer helped nearly 100 businesses get PPP loans

Monday, December 28, 2020

When the Small Business Administration released data on Paycheck Protection Program recipients in early July, it became apparent that Chelsea Groton Bank was the most prolific lender of funds to businesses in southeastern Connecticut as it had distributed 556 loans totaling $74 million. Bank employees worked late hours trying to get as many applications processed as possible over a short period. One of the people working behind the scenes to keep businesses afloat was commercial loan officer Rich Balestracci, who said he helped nearly 100 businesses. Click here for the full article

A look at the artists and works featured in the Mystic Museum of Art’s permanent collection

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Some things have changed at the Mystic Museum of Art since it closed in March as part of the state’s COVID-19 shutdown. A visitors’ service window has been created, for instance, and the galleries have new air purification systems. Everyone wears a mask and social distances. And now, after the museum reopened in late September, it is showcasing one of its great assets: its permanent collection. Click here for the full article

Online shopping can still be local

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

For some, the phrase "online shopping" elicits thoughts of Amazon or Wayfair or Overstock. But there are many local small businesses that offer online ordering, and some have expanded their web presence this year in light of the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 has expanded online shopping from a matter of convenience to a matter of safety for some, and for those who aren't comfortable going into stores but want to keep their money in the local economy, there are plenty of options. Click here for the full article

Redevelopment in Groton Picks up Speed

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

GROTON — For years, plans to redevelop five vacant school buildings in Groton have inched ahead, but with the first project — a 280-unit apartment complex — set to break ground as soon as next year, town officials say they hope that new developments will attract many of the thousands of people who work in Groton, but live elsewhere. The Town of Groton owns five vacant school properties it would like to sell to developers. To date, developers have proposed converting two schools into apartments, one into office space and to demolish another to make way for a new mixed-use community wit...

Groton updates open space plan for first time in 30 years

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

The town has updated its open space plan for the first time in 30 years, a period in which open space has increased significantly in the community, and is seeking comments on the document. The town’s Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, via Zoom on the final draft of the open space conservation plan, which outlines priorities that include expanding “greenbelts” connecting open spaces, supporting resiliency efforts and protecting water quality, natural heritage resources and habitats for plants and wildlife. Click here for the full article

Mystic River Homes Congregate in line for upgrades

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

The Mystic River Homes Congregate will receive upgrades intended to help keep the low- to moderate-income housing complex in Noank in good repair for the next two decades. Mystic River Homes, a nonprofit that owns two housing complexes in Noank, was awarded a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant, along with a $500,000 Housing Tax Credit Contribution through the state, to fund the improvements to the 51-unit building. Click here for the full article

What The...: Banking on education

Tuesday, December 01, 2020

Most people assessing the risks of elephant ownership wouldn’t go to their bank for advice. Likewise, few researching the role of gravity in Alice in Wonderland would think to head for Chelsea Groton Bank. But Chelsea Groton is the place to go — or, more specifically, Chelsea University. That’s where I learned that it’s wise to look a gift elephant in the mouth. I knew the many benefits of owning an elephant — the envy of neighbors, the sustainable transportation, the help with yard work — but I hadn’t considered the risks. Click here for the full article

New London, Mystic and more get funding for tourism initiatives

Wednesday, January 06, 2021

How does a city or region promote itself and its attractions when travel is discouraged or restricted? What do tourism initiatives market when so many events have been canceled? The coronavirus pandemic has changed the nature of tourism marketing, but people in the industry have been nimble, adapting their initiatives or creating new ones. Now, with a recent grant announcement from the Eastern Regional Tourism District, they have more funding to further these projects. Click for full article.

Mystic & Noank Library announces new executive director

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

Chris Bradley, who recently served as the executive director of the Norwalk Public Library, will be the new executive director of the Mystic & Noank Library, replacing current Executive Director Karen Wall. "In addition to her vast experience working in libraries, Ms. Bradley has also been very engaged with the library community, both as a President of the Connecticut Library Association as well as a two-time recipient of the CLA Special Achievement Award," Click here for the full article

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