Bus Tour Shows Commercial Brokers What Monroe Has to Offer

A white Premier bus left the Monroe Town Hall parking lot Friday afternoon. Passing the gazebo, it looped around a green surrounded by steepled churches before heading toward the commercial strip of Route 111.

Seated behind the driver, Lee Hossler, chairman of the Economic Development Commission, held a microphone and told the passengers that the churches actually owned the green — not the town. As the bus passed the Goodwill Store, He directed everyone's attention to a property across the street.

"On the right you'll see an Atherton for sale sign and that's the property, the dentist property right here," he said.

Commercial brokers from all around the county had boarded the bus for a tour of Monroe to see all it has to offer and, most of all, what properties were available for businesses in the market to lease or buy space.

The Fairfield County Commercial Brokers Network (FCCBN) holds monthly meetings on Fridays. Hossler, who has been attending the meetings, invited the group to have its June gathering at Edith Wheeler Memorial Library in Monroe.

The brokers network and match clients with properties. The Monroe EDC prepared 60-page packets choc full of information on more than 40 town properties that are available.

"It's a great little town," Hossler said. "We have a great school system. We have a great park system. We have a strong tax incentive program and access to the major highways of 95, 15, 84 and 25. You have a skilled worker pool that's working down county. If they come here, you'll be near your employees."

Steve Schapiro of the EDC attended both the luncheon and the bus tour.

"I think this is major exposure for economic development," he said. "Our thing was to let all of the brokers see all the types of properties, businesses and places for sale or lease for future development. These brokers are from all over the county."

The lunch was catered by Soup Thyme, which recently reopened after a fire at the building at 450 Monroe Turnpike had forced it and other tenants to temporarily close. Sponsors included Kimball Group Commercial Real Estate Services, Tartaglia Commercial Properties, Atherton Associates Commercial Properties, Land Engineering Associates, Inc., Hodson Realty, Inc., and Sippin Property Management Co.

David Sippin, managing partner of Sippin Management Co., praised the EDC for putting the event together. "I think it brings potential buyers to Monroe who may be looking for a less expensive alternative to southern Fairfield County," he said.

A Networking Session

The meeting began with a few words by First Selectman Steve Vavrek.

"Monroe really does mean business," he said. "You're going to see a lot of exciting sites. We changed our land use departments and made things a little more streamlined for everybody. Anything you might have heard bad about Monroe in the past, we're fighting hard to overcome. I think what you see in Monroe is a path for growth and I thank you all for wanting to be a part of that."

Vavrek could not stay for the meeting, but he left business cards and encouraged the brokers to call him with any questions.

Winthrop E. Baum of WEB Realty Co., chairman of FCCBN, led the meeting, in which brokers shared information on new listings, as well as what clients wishing to buy or lease were looking for.

"I've got a building in Norwalk with 100,000 square feet for new tenants," Baum said. "Anyone you can bring me as a tenant, I will cut their rent in half. End of story. That way, we'll generate some deals."

John Battiste of Century 21 is looking for 20,000 square feet in Bridgeport that could be used by a church, with a minimum seating capacity of 500.

News on recent deals was shared, including Captain's Pizza in Shelton moving to 515 Bridgeport Avenue, which allowed for a 2,440-square-foot expansion.

When Baum asked how business was lately, one Realtor told him new leases were keeping her busy, but that properties for sale have been moving slowly.

Bryan Atherton, president and broker for Atherton Associates, said some vacancies in the Lantern Ridge Office Park, 731 Main Street, that have been empty for three to four years are now all occupied.

Hot Properties

Among the properties featured along the bus tour were the building and grounds that had housed the Miracle Faith World Outreach Church at 754 Main Street. The large building has a basketball court and the spacious property includes a pond. The asking price is $2.5 million.

The bus went from Monroe Turnpike, to Cross Hill, Cutlers Farm Road, Purdy Hill Road, Old Newtown Road, Pepper Street and Route 25.

John Kimball, a developer who owns several commercial, office and industrial properties off of Pepper Street, stood by a pick up truck on Cambridge Drive. He climbed aboard the bus and took over that portion of the tour.

The last major stop along the route was Kimball and Robert Scinto's business Park on Victoria Drive, where Victorinox Swiss Army's international headquarters is located.

After the bus rolled to a stop at Town Hall, Baum took the microphone from Hossler and thanked him for organizing the tour.

"Have a good summer," Baum said to his fellow brokers. "Have a profitable summer. Network extensively."