Picture Enfield - Then And Now [UPDATED]

ENFIELD, CT — Today's look back into Enfield history takes us to the great photo book Enfield: 1950-1980, a compilation of photographs from noted local photographer Edward Malley. This shot from the 1960s gives us a view of the former Gateway Foods grocery store at the intersection of Weymouth and Steele roads.

The strip plaza, constructed in 1960 at 132 Weymouth Rd., eventually became home to the Amber Light Lounge & Cafe in the 1970s, and housed the sports-themed Penalty Box Cafe in the 1980s and 1990s. After many years as the Porter & Chester Institute, the building was vacated several years ago, as the training school moved to 33 Palomba Drive.

Below is a shot of the deserted property, taken by me this week.

Last week's trivia answer:
Last week's trivia question was, "Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Ben Aleks was the first person to take the mat at the initial wrestling meet of Cathedral High School in 1961 (he won his match, by the way). How much did he weigh that day?" The answer: despite wrestling in the 103-lb. weight class, the future coaching legend weighed just 95 lbs. in Cathedral's first match. In 2019, the newly-created wrestling room at the former Fermi High School building was dedicated as the Ben Aleks Wrestling Center, and on May 2, 2021, Coach Aleks will receive the John Wentworth Good Sport Award from the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance at the 79th Gold Key Dinner for his numerous accomplishments and dedication to the sport of wrestling.

Photo: Tim Jensen/Patch

This week's trivia question:
Other than all graduating the same year, what distinction will Kelly Brantner, Dan Isherwood, Jon LeBlanc and Lisa Tenerowicz hold in common forever in the annals of Enfield history? Post the answer in the comments section below, or on the Enfield Patch Facebook page.

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