cheshirecitizen.com
Volume 12, Number 19
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Close Harbour Seafood founder remembered By Nick Sambides Jr. Record-Journal staff
Bill Close, the well-known founder and former owner of one of the Plantsville section’s oldest businesses, died at his home in Cheshire, May 1. He was 86. An enthusiastic skier, jet skier, golfer and boatsman who stayed athletic well into his 80s, the energetic Close is probably best known for Close
Bill Close sits on new lobster tanks at Close Harbour Sea Food in Southington in this 2016 file photo. Close died May 1.
Harbour Seafood on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike, a seafood restaurant and market that he opened with his wife Sandy in 1982 and helped resuscitate after a fire in 2015.
Dave Zajac, Record-Journal file
“He meant a lot to the area. He was very well known, very likeable,” said Betsy Tooker, co-owner of Tops Marketplace, a neighboring MeridenWaterbury Turnpike business that
photo
See Close, A11
Walk-in vaccine clinics open, Chesprocott in line for grant funds to advance access for all By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
Jessie Adams, owner of Yours & Mine Consignment, talks about the business at 461 N. Main St. in Southington. The shop, which has struggled during the pandemic, sells and accepts, women’s, men’s and children’s clothing and home decor. Photos by Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
Consignment shops ready for spring shopping surge By Faith Williams Record-Journal staff
Like many other businesses, consignment shops have struggled during the pandemic. However, several local shops have noticed an increase in business during the spring. In Cheshire, Consignment Originals creat-
ed the ‘Drop and Go’ system to avoid long lines and follow social distancing guidelines. Consigners can drop off items with the shop and within two days will know what has been accepted and what can be taken back. See Shops, A17
folks, the 34% who aren’t vaccinated — I hope they get vaccinated — vaccinated As the number of people vac- soon,” Lamont said recently cinated against COVID-19 during his regular COVID climbs in Connecticut, and briefing with reporters. demand drops off, appointAlso May 3, Lamont and the ments are no longer needed state Department of Public at many local vaccination Health announced that 27 clinics. municipalities and local Demand for COVID-19 vachealth departments were secinations in Connecticut has lected to share in more than decreased by about 50% in $13 million in federal grant recent weeks, prompting money to be used to form state officials to now focus partnerships between local heavily on reaching people health and community orga— especially younger resinizations and vaccine dents — with the state’s fleet providers to promote and inof mobile vaccination vans crease vaccine equity. and walk-up vaccinations at The Meriden Health and Humore than 100 existing clinics, according to information man Services Department and the Chesprocott Regionfrom the Associated Press. al Health District, which serDuring an update May 3, vices Cheshire, Prospect and Gov. Ned Lamont said plans Wolcott, were among the are underway to bring the agencies selected for the vans to large workplaces, grants. The contracts fairs, parades and other large with each district are still begatherings. ing negotiated and the amounts were not immedi“We’re doing everything we can to make the last of our See Clinics, A2