Picture Enfield - Then and Now

ENFIELD, CT — For the first time in quite a while, our trip down memory lane comes courtesy of the Facebook group Picture Enfield. It is a 1970s look at one of the first, if not the original, Dunkin' Donuts locations at 651 Enfield Street.

There are currently eight Dunkin' locations in town, but at the time of this photo, this was the sole spot. The building was constructed in 1966, according to Enfield land records, and Dunkin' operated there until moving to a newly-built site just down the road at 562 Enfield Street in 1996.

A Carvel Ice Cream store moved into 651 Enfield in 1998. Other businesses since then have included Teasers Styling Salon, Total Protection Security Systems and Towne House Beauty Salon. It is currently being renovated, and a sign has recently been installed indicating Marza Salon & Spa is soon to open.

I'm particularly fond of the old cars parked in front. I have no idea what that hideous one is on the left, but I vividly recall the Ford Country Squire station wagon with the genuine simulated wood grain paneling. We had one when we lived in Vernon in the late '60s; it was quite a treat when our folks would stuff all five kids in the back and head to Henry's Pizzeria.

Here is a contemporary look at the property, taken by me around 10:45 this morning.

Last week's trivia answer:
Last week's trivia question was, "Pictured below is my second-grade class at an elementary school in Enfield. 30 kids, one teacher ... no paraprofessionals, no teacher aides, no armed guards, nothing. A far cry from the parents who scream that their kid's class has 18 students nowadays. In a sure sign I'm getting older, I can name every single kid in this photo, yet I have no idea why I walked into the kitchen 10 minutes ago. Everyone loved our teacher, who had been there for about 200 years and also held a second part-time job at Steiger's department store, working with my mom. Name that wonderful teacher." The answer: Elizabeth "Betty" Belcher, a much-beloved teacher at the Prudence Crandall School. Congratulations to Trish (Agro) McDonnell, who was the first person to correctly identify Mrs. Belcher. It's no wonder she knew; her brother Mike is in the picture, right next to me (you figure it out).

This week's trivia question:
Getting back to the subject of Dunkin' Donuts: of the eight Enfield locations, which is the newest? Post the answer in the comments section below, or on the Enfield Patch Facebook page.

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