The businesses of downtown Stafford already have challenges without neighboring businesses adding to the angst.
Our Backyard friend has now deemed it necessary to punish main street buildings that have rear door access by blocking them from shipping and receiving. Under the guise of ‘Oh, there is a liability to us if you get hit by a train’ a yellow chain now blocks the Right- of-Way to the Main Street. What did we do for 20 years prior to the chain? My goodness, I could have been hit by a train without the loving care of American Sleeve Bearing. This punishment not only affects us but also handful of retailers who need to remove rubbish or received large items through their loading platforms.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 September 2008 07:52 )
STAFFORD SPRINGS - Main Street in Stafford Springs is getting a face-lift. After decades of neglect, the Town of Stafford has embarked on a program to clean up the downtown shopping district.
Haymarket Park, once graffiti riddled, overgrown with weeds, and strewn with trash and debris, now sports colorful flowers,plants, park benches and a large mural. Rusted and broken street signs have been replaced with hunter green period lamp-posts with hanging flowerpots. Seriously eroded and crumbling sidewalks have been replaced with walks that look like hand laid brick.
It is hoped that these important renovations will inspire the resurgence of retail and specialty shops downtown. Continuing to better the relationship between the Town of Stafford and the downtown business community is likely to be an critical factor in luring new business to fillin downtown's empty storefronts. The financial health of the town as a whole depends on it. Middle River Gallery and our frame shop will certainly benefit from these positive changes.
One could purchase original works of art, often at very high prices. For some this was an investment and for others it was for the satisfaction of having something of beauty in their homes. The alternative was to buy a reproduction or art print The cost of a print was usually considerably less than an original work but the quality and appearance of the print just did not look like "real art".
A Place Where It's OK To Be Square (Or Rectangular, Or...)
Picture Perfect of New England / Middle River Art Gallery 58 Main St., Stafford Springs 860-684-6226
What's selling: Custom framing in a comfortable workshop with couches and café tables and artwork from local artists in a New York-style art gallery. If you're not interested in custom framing, you can browse the adjoining art gallery and pick up paintings, drawings and sculptures.
The businesses of downtown Stafford already have challenges without neighboring businesses adding to the angst.
