Benson Is On to Something

It looks like all the April rain (and sleet and snow) showers have resulted in some serious blooming happening along lower Broadway, below City Hall, as you head to Main Street. 

If you’ve convinced yourself that nothing any good ever happens anymore in Norwich (suggested sound effects include loud lamentations and the rending of garments), this might be a good time to double click to some online classifieds and check out that special on size 44 Triple E jump boots because you will not appreciate what follows here. And that’s fine because it just means more for the rest of us.

If you haven’t walked lower Broadway in a while, it’s bustling with activity. There are all kinds of construction going on, on both sides of the street, flanking Billy Wilson’s and at the Fairhaven, courtesy of the Stackstone Group who put their money where our mouths are and have invested heavily in places to come home to in downtown.

Next door to the Donald Oat Theater and Norwich Art Council is some serious renovation going on from I don’t know who, as they are reviving a long dormant and forgotten property and adding some sparkle to Broadway.

But those are works in progress and since we are a city notoriously short of patience, (except when we're not, I guess)  I wanted to highlight another positive that happens when you get involved in helping out on weekend community aside from the glow from within. It’s how community economic development achieves Critical Mass. 

As you (should have) read in Monday’s Bulletin, the long-awaited (and not just by me) ‘downtown coffee shop’, Craftsman Cliff Roasters, opened to great rejoicing and is, I believe, a signpost of where downtown is heading when we too often prefer to sigh about souvenirs of Norwich’s past. 

Crazy socks face the window while ties go to the runners.

I and many other volunteers had already enjoyed a taste while we were sprucing up downtown during the First Saturday of May and stopped in to recharge. And while some were waiting for a cup, I strolled to the intersection of Broadway and Main, crossed the street (at the crosswalk after looking in all directions to include skyward) heading for 27 Broadway and the even more newly opened Monocle on Broadway.

They were just beginning their Saturday workday but they’re open every day (Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 10-2; 10-5 on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, and on Thursdays from 10 until 7). 

I took a quick look around before getting back to the clean-up and the next time you’re “Puttin' On the Ritz" you should stop in. They have suit and tuxedo rentals and sales as well as assorted menswear. And they have unique cufflinks, ties, shirts, belts, cologne, crazy socks (I’m told a huge seller), as well as dog ties and kerchiefs (for the canine who already has everything else I suspect). They even have dress uniform items such as parade gloves, patent leather shoes, etc.

Monocle Max dressed and ready.

Even if you’re a water-drinking nudist (there’s a mental image you will not be easily rid of, and you’re welcome) you should be delighted that more entrepreneurs and businesses are staking a claim in Norwich to make a living for themselves, adding to the City’s Grand List, and making a positive difference in our community’s quality of life.

Shopping local is really the new black (and green as in dollars), with a creative, transformative rainbow spreading to and through Broadway and beyond. And as they say, there’s magic in the air. All you have to do is enjoy it.       
-bill kenny