Date: Fri 22-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Illustration: I

Quick Words:

Sandy-Hook-SHOP-development

Full Text:

After Years Of Ups and Downs, Sandy Hook Looks Ahead To A Stable Prosperity

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The never-ending flow of the Pootatuck River has come to symbolize the

unflagging sense of community in the Sandy Hook business district. It is the

kind of close-knit character that has helped keep the area going, despite its

share of ups and downs over the years.

Today, thanks to a healthy economy and a group of ambitious developers,

stability appears to be returning to Sandy Hook. The center is undergoing a

major face lift which, when completed, is expected give Sandy Hook a far

different look from that of the past. The Sandy Hook Hotel -- site of the

infamous shoot out between the Huns and the Hell's Angel motorcycle gangs back

in the mid 1970s -- is long gone, as is the head shop known as Putnam's.

"Sandy Hook has a tremendous amount of potential,"noted Elizabeth Stocker, the

town's community development director." The problem is there has been no plan

down there. The town really needs to make an investment in itself there."

John Mesaric of the popular Sandy Hook Deli disagreed.

"This area is on the way up and it looks like it's going to stay that way.

There's no going back," he noted

Sandy Hook is the fastest growing area in Newtown and its needs and services

continue to increase. Business owners formed the Sandy Hook Organization for

Prosperity (SHOP) 15 years ago to help unify merchants and improve the image

of the area. They were looking to change people's view that Sandy Hook was the

"other side of the tracks." Business owners also wanted to ensure that Sandy

Hook effectively met the needs of its residents.

Sandy Hook is the town's fastest growing area. However, as SHOP president Bill

McCallister points out, most residents still head up the hill for their

shopping needs. Places like the Big Y and the Sand Hill Plaza are well known

and well frequented by Newtown shoppers. Sandy Hook's blue collar image has

made it difficult for business owners to attract the kind of patronage needed

to survive, he said.

That could all be changing, though. Due to the good-faith efforts of builders

like Michael Burton and Mike Porco, there is optimism in Sandy Hook once

again.

Both men clearly have a vision for what they want the future to be down

there," Mrs Stosker said.

Laundromat In Sandy Hook?

Mr Burton purchased the former K's Korner building about a year ago and has

been busy sprucing up the 4,600-square-foot building and adjoining land ever

since. He fixed up the liquor store (now known as Pootatuck Spirits) and

re-paved the rear parking lot. He has plans to create a small shopping center

along the river and currently has an application before the town's land-use

agency for a laundromat, a desperately-needed service in Newtown, which has a

chance to be approved since the Sandy Hook area is sewered.

Across the street, Mike Porco has purchased three commercial buildings along

Church Hill Road. He plans to redesign them, but has been tight-lipped about

his plans. He is expected to maintain the historic flavor of the buildings,

which have housed several different businesses in recent years, including a

bakery and a seafood shop.

Mr McCallister, part-owner of the Connecticut Insurance Agency at 1 Glen Road,

believes the Sandy Hook center has the potential to take on the charm of New

Preston or a small village in Vermont or New Hampshire. A lot like it used to

be.

"It's been a lot of hard work by a lot of people. This hasn't just happened

overnight. It's been going on for years," noted Mr McCallister.

As Mr McCallister points out, a handful of changes to the town's land-use

regulations helped pave the way for the positive momentum in Sandy Hook. The

creation of a sub-zone within the town's regular zoning allowed for more

flexibility, including second-floor residential housing. Zone changes also

made it easier for applications to be approved, allowing business owners to

share each other's parking in order to meet the minimum required parking

spaces.

SHOP is currently working with the Economic Development Commission (EDC) to

persuade the town to extend its public water line into Sandy Hook. The water

quality is reportedly poor in the area and more is needed for improved fire

protection.

Members of SHOP had hoped they might see a 24-hour ATM machine put up in Sandy

Hook. However, banks have resisted doing that since there are no branches in

the area.

There is hope that a developer will purchase the large building at 1 Riverside

Road, which was recently taken over by a bank. It is in need of serious

renovation work, according to Mr McCallister, who called the building Sandy

Hook's "boat anchor."

Edward McGrath has lived in Sandy Hook his whole life and is optimistic that

better days lie ahead.

"The area below the (railroad) bridge on Church Hill Road has always

struggled, but there seems to be a lot of interest in re-doing these

buildings," he said as he ate lunch at the Sandy Hook Deli. "I think Michael

Burton and Mike Porco are going to do a lot of good things."

The key is the willingness on the part of both builders to invest both time

and money into the projects. Mr Burton credited the help of Ray Castanza of

100 Church Hill Road for helping him improve parking in the area behind the

two businesses.

"I'm thrilled that they're working hard to do all of this," noted Ellie Lewis

of the Sandy Hook Diner. "It just seems for years that different people have

tried different things down here. But I think these two guys and the ideas

they have will definitely help revitalize the area down here."

Also contributing to the rebirth of Sandy Hook has been the renovation of Vito

Kala's Villa Restaurant, which opened its doors nearly a year ago. The

new-look Italian restaurant has been a big hit with local diners. Downstairs,

Laurie Gillette's hair salon is expected to open next week.

Frank Pitrone of Apex Glass recently purchased the old Davy Brothers building

on Riverside Road and is moving his facility there.

Jim Maguire, owner of J.P. Maguire & Associates, recently opened an office

building on Washington Avenue. A second building is also in the works. Also,

Newtown resident Jim Marcuilli plans to take over the Foreign Car Service

building across from the high school in February.

There is an obvious sense of family in Sandy Hook and many of the business

owners are following in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents. Donna

Colaiacomo of Donna's Flowers at 1 Glen Road is the daughter of John the

Barber who cut hair along the Pootatuck for many years. Hair in the Hook now

occupies the late barber's shop.

Mrs Colaiacomo is encouraged by the district's sudden growth, however, she

believes SHOP needs to regain the momentum it had early on. Help is needed for

the businesses that are already there.

"I'm disappointed SHOP has disappeared. Everyone was gung-ho at first, but

nothing seems to be getting done," she said. "We're at a standstill and there

is still a lot to be done."

Before the turn of the century, Sandy Hook was a booming area. Mills,

factories and other shops lined the Pootatuck River employing thousands of

workers. The river was the lifeblood of the area and it attracted a tremendous

number of Irish families. There was even a Catholic Church along Glen Road

(which explains why the St Rose Cemetery is on Cherry Street). However, when

the mills and factories moved away, they took many of the people with them.

The once thriving center went through some rough times and, up until recently,

many of the buildings sat vacant. The loss of the post office a few years back

also reduced traffic in the area.

However, the ebb and flow of commerce in Sandy Hook appears to be on an

upswing. The ultimate future of Sandy Hook will depend on the energy and

effectiveness of those who have the vision to recognize its potential.