www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 18, Number 1
Friday, January 1, 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW
Shutdowns, protests, new businesses among 2020 highlights in Southington By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
In a tumultuous year that saw shutdowns, protests and a contentious election, the town still added businesses and increased its holdings of open space. The year opened with a host of business owners starting up or planning to bring new shops or restaurants to Southington.
Several businesses decided to open in Factory Square in January, a manufacturing plant on Center Street owned by Florian Properties and renovated for retail and office use. Perkatory Coffee Roasters, Rosie’s Royal Chocolates, Montana Nights ax throwing and GameCraft bar and arcade all opened there early this year. Town planners approved an affordable housing development in Febru-
ary for the downtown but reduced the number of proposed apartments from 30 to 22, leading the developer to challenge the decision in court. The case has yet to be resolved. Developer Carl Verderame of Hunter Build LLC was looking to build apartments on just under two acres in the middle of a residential block bordered by Liberty Street, Eden Avenue, Columbus Avenue and Bristol Street. Nine of the proposed 30
Factory Square opens new space, continues development
As schools across the state began shutting down in March to limit the impact of the coronavirus, education officials in Southington decided to continue serving meals to students in order to help families. Those with See 2020, A2
Local woman starts gift-giving network for needy families By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
A local woman’s late-night thoughts about holidays amidst a pandemic turned into a group that provided Christmas presents for needy families across the state.
The new couches, chairs and tables between Rosie’s Royal Chocolates and Perkatory Coffee Roasters in Factory Square began filling up in the late morning.
Kristyn Formeister found herself up at midnight a few weeks ago.
Decorated with holiday lights, the space connects to shops, a brewery, an ax-throwing experience and a bar and arcade. For now it’s called The Living Room at Factory Square, although owners are considering other names as well.
“How can we help families in this pandemic get joy to kids?” she said. “There are a lot of people who have lost jobs. It’s been horrible.”
Mat Florian Jr. of Florian Properties said the community space has always been part Southington resident Cindy Parsons shops for gifts for her friends at Rosie’s Royal Chocolates inside of the vision in bringing the Factory Square in Southington on Dec. 22.
See Factory Square, A8
apartments would have been priced affordable as defined by state laws, making the project more difficult for the town to deny.
Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal
Formeister jotted down some notes on her cellphone about an online group that would connect families in need with those looking to donate See Network, A4
Kristyn Formeister and her 10-year-old daughter Lexi stand in front of their home in Southington on Tuesday, Dec. 21. Kristyn started a Facebook group that has helped over 100 needy families with holiday expenses. Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal