Wake Up, Sheeple! American Woolen Company Stafford Springs I contacted American Woolen Company a couple times but never received a response. In fairness, I didn’t really pursue them because, well, when it comes to CTMQ articles, ones about moderately interesting businesses that don’t involve food or drink don’t … [Read more...]
New England Jukebox and Collectibles/Paul’s Boutique
A Real Juke Joint New England Jukebox and Collectibles Vernon This store closed in the fall of 2021 and reopened as Paul's Boutique Records. Longtime readers know by now that I have a rather loose definition of what a museum is. One of the hardest categories for me to define are places like this place. It’s a … [Read more...]
Smith-Worthington Saddlery
Giddy Up! Smith-Worthington Saddlery, Hartford As far as America goes, Connecticut is pretty old. This has its plusses (history out the wazoo!) and its minuses (industry has flown the coop). However, here and there around the state, some old businesses still exist. Still doing what they’ve always done - … [Read more...]
269. Highland Package Beer Can Museum
Yes I Can! Waterbury (Google Maps location) June 7, 2014 Some museums take hours to enjoy. Some take five minutes. The Beer Can Museum, located along the upper walls of the Highland Package Store in the Town Plot section of Waterbury would be the latter. Before I delve into my amazing experience at this … [Read more...]
Stew Leonard’s
"The World's Largest Dairy Store," Stew Leonard's Stew Leonard's Dairy Store, Newington March 18, 2012 I realize I will sound like a crank for the next five minutes of your lives, but I don't care. It's true I don't enjoy grocery shopping, but I really don't hate it either. It's just something I have to do every … [Read more...]
118-(and counting)-Year-Old Lemon Tree
A Real Lemon Party Logee's Greenhouse, Danielson June 3, 2011 I feel badly for people who live in Danielson. Ever since The Karate Kid, everyone must say the name of the town like "Daniel-san!" And that must be annoying. Almost as annoying as the fact that Danielson isn't even a real town but is instead the … [Read more...]
Connecticut River Valley Wildlife Museum
Hunting for a Trap, I Found a Museum East Hartford (Google Maps location) Multiple visits Tell me if this hasn't happened to you: You till the soil and plant your vegetable gardens in late spring, your crops burst forth in all their glory, a plague of rabbits burst forth from their hutch under your deck and … [Read more...]
Liuzzi’s Cheese
Mama Mia! Liuzzi’s Cheese, North Haven December 23, 2010 North Haven doesn’t have much representation on CTMQ. A few little museums and maybe a trail here and there. And there’s this: Liuzzi’s Cheese – which is really much, much more than just cheese – tucked away amidst some ugly industrial and office … [Read more...]
Time Machine Toy and Hobby
Lost in a Train of Thought Time Machine Toy and Hobby Manchester I’ve recently been going through old pictures I burned off onto CD’s to be sure I haven’t missed anything I meant to write about on the blog. I figured that possibility was ludicrous as A) my memory is pretty darn good for this stuff and B) I’m a … [Read more...]
ASME: Jacobs Engine Brake Retarder
ASME Landmark # 108 (1957) Jacobs Manufacturing Company Bloomfield This is the ASME Landmark that really got me interested in this little list of eight nine rather random engineering achievements in Connecticut. Two reasons: One, Jacobs Manufacturing is only a few minutes from my office and two, I’d read a … [Read more...]