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July 19, 2010 Road to Recovery: Part II

Openings On The Rise

By Joanna Smiley

Gains in Wallingford

Although she misses some of the defunct mom and pop shops, Doreen DeSarro, business recruiter, Wallingford Economic Development Commission, is happy to see store front vacancies filled along Route 5. "All in all, most retail shop closings led to opportunities for new retailers," said DeSarro. "I'm happy to see development occurring again in town. It was hard to drive down Route 5 and see vacant spaces, especially car dealerships. They represent large parcels of land, it's not like a small boutique in a mall you wouldn't notice, (it) left a gaping hole in the landscape. I would rather not have a Sonic than a Yankee Silversmith Inn. It was difficult for the family owners, but the building had been demolished. Nothing can replace what that was for the community. It was a historic building, but I'm happy to see something taking its place." The agency keeps a close tab on the comings and goings:

Closed: Shaw’s Supermarket Yankee Silversmith Inn Wooster St. Pizza Blimpy’s Thornton’s Gas station Heirlooms Linens + Lace Tuesday Morning KamCo Lumber Merriam Motors JJ’s Raw Bar Simply Special Gifts Saturn of Wallingford Salvation Army

Opened: Shop Rite Supermarket (Opening soon) Sonic Drive-In Basil’s Pizza Restaurant MJ Duke’s Restaurant Cumberland Farms The Wine Chef Porsche/Audi of Wallingford MidState Medical Office Complex Burger King Alex’s Jewelers Primo Pizza On Trak Karting New-to-U Consignments Anna V’s Salon Pocket Wireless Holiday Cinemas (two new theaters) CVS (Opening soon) KT Baxter’s Restaurant Splat Art Studio IHOP Restaurant

Walk-In Medical Center Fills Need

In 2009, Wallingford became home to the MidState Medical Group Walk-In Center. The center, which is affiliated with Hartford Hospital, includes occupational health, radiology associates, a women’s imaging center, a rehabilitation network, orthopedics and physical therapy. “One of the biggest changes we’ve seen in the healthcare industry is the greater need to place our outpatient services directly in the communities we serve,” said Lucille Janatka, president and CEO of MidState Medical Center. “People are looking for convenience and ease of access when it comes to healthcare services. It has become so important for us to meet this growing need. That’s why, last year, we opened our MidState Medical Services facility close to Route 5 in Wallingford… We also moved our urgent care facility, MediQuick, right off of I-91 in Meriden. Our communities have told us they need us to be more available and we’ve listened,” Before the facility opened on Route 5, the closest option for urgent care was MidState’s MediQuick facility located on Pomeroy Avenue in Meriden. According to Barbara Durdy, MidState Medical Center’s director of business development, over the next 10 years the population of Wallingford — currently 44,604 — is projected to grow by five percent in the 45-64 and 65-plus age ranges. When compared to the rest of the state, the population of Wallingford is older and expected to age at a faster rate, said Durdy. This could be a key client base for the medical facility. Recently, MidState secured a contract with the town of Wallingford to provide community health services in a partnership with VNA HealthCare and Rushford. MidState says the response to its community programs and events has been positive so far. The hospital plans to collaborate with the surrounding Route 5 community by offering health programs at the Wallingford Public Library and the Wallingford Senior Center, and by servicing community groups including the Hispanic population of Wallingford.


Progress in Meriden

Meriden’s Economic Development Department is happy with the changes that have led to new opportunities for business to fill up the Route 5 corridor. “Meriden continues to enjoy the growth that is taking place on Broad Street,” said Trudy Magnolia, a member of the city’s development team. “We’ve recently opened the new Silver Commons Plaza that features a Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery and a Japanese restaurant, among other businesses. McDonald’s built a new restaurant and the Green Olive Diner renovated and opened the former McDonald’s site. We are also pleased that Alderman Motors has had its Cadillac franchise reinstated after months of negotiating with General Motors. Planet Fitness, a national health club chain, will soon be coming to the former Pep Boys building on South Broad Street.”

 

Road to Recovery Part II:

Demographic Changes Bring Opportunities

Union Feeling the Pinch Too

Openings on The Rise

 

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