Wanna Live in Downtown Middletown?

Over the past several years Downtown Middletown has been becoming a a greater and cooler place to work and dine and play and live. Now, Downtown is exploring new possibilities in living downtown as part of the Come Home Downtown project, for which the original Amato's building was chosen. A community meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the Community Health Center.

We would love local businesses, building owners, and anyone interested in this process to come out and join the discussion. We hope you can come.Your input is key to a successful downtown Middletown. 

Come Home to Downtown is a program that seeks to boost downtown living, improve walkability, bring new life to mostly vacant historic properties and help teach building owners ways to finance real estate upgrades. Come hear how the original Amato’s Toys building was selected as a model to show how it can be renovated to include apartments upstairs and retail downstairs, and learn how you can influence downtown’s design. 

RSVP to Middletown Downtown Business District (DBD)
860-347-1424 or quentin@downtownmiddletown.com

For more information, see the Middletown Press article about this:
http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2013/06/04/news/doc51a7dbe566028817988850.txt

Middletown Cruise Night On Main Set For June 12

Dear businesses,

This is to inform you, or remind you, that Middletown Cruise Night On Main is Set For June 12.

Five Ways to Maximize this event for your business:

(c) Greg 63vwdriver 

1. Think Open - Be Open and welcoming to customers.
2. Think Outside the Box - do something outside to draw people into your store
3. Think Outside the Day - do something to encourage them to come back to your store or restaurant
4. Think Cars - talk cars or something car related on your social media accounts.
5. Think Busy - bring in extra staff, especially if you're an eatery!

Most of Main Street will be closed to driving and meter parking starting at 2:00 pm, and the parking lots will be crowded, but free during the event. This is a fun event with lots of people who are potential customers and repeat customers. Be prepared and have fun with it!

Small Business Blogging

Ever considered starting a blog for your business but thought writing all the time would be too time consuming? Looking for ways to beef up your customer base? This May 21, 2013 article by Clare Baker, Editor from the Patch, is for you.

To read quick tips for maintaining a blog, what to write about, how to find the time, and why to even bother with it, click here: 
http://smallbusiness.patch.com/groups/business-news/p/3-easy-steps-to-maintaining-a-compelling-blog

Memorial Day Parade Notice to Businesses

Monday, May 27 is Middletown's annual Memorial Day Parade. The city has asked that:

• trash be put out for pick up between 4 am and 8 am, 
• cans be removed before parade-goers begin to arrive. 

The streets and sidewalks will be cleaned before the parade as usual.

Get Shredding!

In celebration of Earth Day the City of Middletown will be hosting its Shred Event on Saturday, April 27 from 9:00 – 11:00 am at the Middletown Water and Sewer Department on 82 Berlin Road.   Everyone is welcome.  No charge.  Limit of ten boxes or bags per person.   Documents shred on site by ProShred of Wallingford.  All materials are recycled.  Of course! 

Please spread the word!  Happy Earth Day, Month, Year!

Snow Removal

FROM WILLIAM RUSSO, DIRECTOR OF MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC WORKS

When you or your contractor is shoveling the sidewalk in front of your business (building), please PUSH THE SNOW INTO THE STREET. DO NOT leave it piled on the edge of the sidewalk. At night, when businesses are closed, the Public Works Dept. will remove all snow at the edge/curbing of the street. Leaving snow at the edge of the sidewalk can make it difficult and hazardous for pedestrians to reach the sidewalks from their cars, place money in the parking meters and so forth.


For your information, the following is Middletown Code 262-19. Clearing of sidewalks by Public Works Department; recovery of costs. Providing snow plowing operations have been completed, if snow or ice shall remain on any public sidewalk, and if the sidewalk shall not be covered or treated with sand or some other suitable substance to protect the public from personal injury and property damage from such snow or ice for more that 24 hours after the owner or person in possession or control of the property abutting such sidewalk and legally liable to clear the same has been notified in person by the City to clear the same, and for more than 24 hours if notice is left at the person’s residence, the Public Works Department shall cause the same to be cleared or properly covered or treated and may collect the expense from such owner or person. Failure of the Public Works Department to clear or cover the sidewalk shall not make the City responsible for any resulting injury or damage. Any person who fails to comply with an order to remove snow or ice shall be fined $50 by the City of Middletown, and in no event shall a property owner be both fined and assessed by the City for snow removal.

Benefits for Your Employees

Town of Middletown

Reward your employees for sharing a ride!
Check out the free reward program for Connecticut commuters sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. It's easy!


1. Various discounts statewide - click here!
2. Travel Green - share a ride, vanpool, carpool, or take a bus.
3. Enjoy Rewards - Get discounts for restaurants, shops and events in your area.


Then join the CTrides team to find a commute option that works best for you.
Please contact Pamela Hypolite at 860.502.5335 or Pamela.Hypolite@ctrides.com for more information on how to get your business involved. This is a complimentary benefit, so let's get started.


A service of the Connecticut Department of Transportation