Chamber Awards Aim to Encourage Business Renovations

Traveling along North Main Street, just past Center Street in the downtown business district, it’s hard to miss the brightly colored wall outside , marked with an artistic design encouraging the community to “Harvest the Arts.”

The mural, designed by professional artists with the help of local artist and teacher Mary DeCroce, is now an award-winning one. The pharmacy was named one of the 2012 's beautification award winners this week.

“It’s a great honor, but we weren’t looking for an award when we planned it,” said pharmacy owner Ron Serafino, who credited his wife Nancy with leading the effort and bringing everyone together. “We have been in business for 56 years now and our customer’s loyalty has helped us find that kind of success. It was simply a way to give back.”

The annual award is given to a select number of businesses that have put effort into improving their properties and making Southington “a better place to live and do business,” said Chamber President Art Secondo. The awards are for those who have renovated existing structures or erected new buildings that enhance the overall appearance of the community.

With the development of the mural, which provides an artistic glimpse into the town’s farming history, he said the pharmacy was a natural choice as one of the seven winners named in 2012.

“The number of these awards each year is indicative of the investments owners are putting into their Southington businesses. It's a reflection of the confidence the business community has in our town,” Secondo said.

The winners were chosen through an executive committee and selected from a wide number of nominees. The 2012 winners also include new businesses such as on Eden Avenue, on Queen Street and on Townline Road.

Restaurants on West Center Street and on Center Street were also named winners, along with on Queen Street.

Staff at Spice Bar & Grill said Wednesday that they were surprised to hear about the award, but felt owners Ronnie Newman and Jennifer DiLungo were more than deserving following the transformation at the 16 Eden Ave. restaurant.

When Newman took over the former Pig Out BBQ property, the first thing he did was lead a complete and total renovation of the building, both inside and out. The result has been a sudden spark in nightlife activity downtown with hundreds flocking to the bar and restaurant on a Friday or Saturday night.

“It’s been amazing to see how far we’ve been able to come in such a short time. It’s been a great experience,” Newman said earlier this month.

The owners will receive their awards at the chamber’s 74th annual dinner meeting, currently scheduled for April 21 at the A. Reservations for the event, which includes dinner, open bar, raffle and a theme tribute to the movie "Dirty Dancing," can be made by calling the chamber at (860) 628-8036.