Getting to Know Monroe's Business Community

A diversity of businesses were represented at the rows of tables inside The Stone Barn during the Meet Monroe Business Showcase Friday afternoon, with representatives of everything from banks, insurance companies and Realtors to liquor stores and utilities.

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce hosted the event for the second consecutive year.

"It's to remind people to shop in Monroe and to come out and meet the business owners and see what they have to offer," said Jo-Ellen Stipak, executive director of the Monroe chamber.

"We exceeded the amount of booths from last year," she said. "We have great representation from schools this year — the high school and Stepney Elementary School. And we're featuring dancers from the Monroe Dance Academy."

Stipak said there were fewer restaurants at the event because of the closings of Rivalry and other establishments. However, new restaurants including SoNo Restaurant Group, which is replacing Rivalry on Main Street, and MacDaddies Macaroni & Cheese Bar soon will open and both have committed to next year's showcase, according to Stipak.

McGowan's Pizzaland, Edible Arrangements, Roberto's Restaurant and Tina's Pizza were among the food vendors on Friday. Tina's served Chicken Martini and Penne Alla Vodka at its station. The Stone Barn filled plates with braised short ribs and Philly cheese steak sliders.

Glenro Spirit Shoppe and Maltrose Express were both available to recommend the best wines for different meals.

Cycle Fitness' booth was covered with displays of exercise equipment to work all of the calories off. Bill Vreeland hopped on a stationary bike to show how some of it works.

Vreeland said a Garmond GPS system can be attached to bicycles to measure the elevation of terrain, map out one's route and estimate travel time. On his table he had a helmet and a product to clean bicycles amongst the display.

Bull's Head Printers, the main sponsor of the Meet Monroe event, provided printed materials. Jantris Marketing Services also helped to promote the showcase.

Not all of the businesses reside in town. Donna Duncan attended the showcase to represent the Costco locations in Milford and Brookfield.

"We are members of the Monroe chamber," Duncan said. "We are a business and we belong to many chambers. We joined Monroe last year."

Duncan said a lot of Costco members who live in Monroe shop in the Milford and Brookfield stores.

Oil, Gas and Water

Utilities at the event included Sippin Energy, Yankee Gas and Aquarion Water Co.

Aquarion promoted its rain barrels used to collect water for gardening, washing cars and other uses.

"We want people to do whatever they can to preserve water," said Lorraine Bukowski, a spokesperson for Aquarion.

Aquarion also gave away reusable water bottles, which Bukowski said should be used instead of buying bottled water at the supermarket. Those plastic bottles take a long time to decompose and take up space in landfills, she said.

The water company is also looking for nominees to be recognized at Connecticut's Environmental Champions. For information, visit aquarion.com/environmental.cfm.

The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund's table had energy saving ideas for homeowners.

Charter representatives were there to tout the cable company's business package.

Banking, Insurance ...

People's United Bank, Newtown Savings Bank and Union Savings Bank, which is building a branch on Monroe Turnpike all were represented on Friday.

For income tax filing and investment advice HR Block had a table. The firm also provided the chocolate fountain for the event.

Other professional industries were represented with FJB Associates, the Bellenot & Boufford law firm, Aetna insurance and Hodson Realty.

Medical booths included Main Street Chiropractor, Dr. Rhonda Greifinger and St. Vincent's Urgent Medical Care.

Community Organizations

Officers discussed the Monroe Police Department's DARE program with families attending the Meet Monroe Business Showcase. Other town organizations included the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, the Monroe Economic Development Commission, The Power Network, the Monroe Farmers' Market, and the Center for Women and Families.

Several media organizations had tables and covered the event, including The Monroe Courier, Cumulus Radio i95 and Monroe Patch.

Rounding out the variety of businesses were All About Art, Creative Music, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Benedict's Home & Garden, Forgotten Treasures, New England Kitchens, Spadaccino's & Gallagher Funeral Home, and Taylor Rental Party Plus.

"Seventy-five percent of our business is parties," said Matt Lagasse of Taylor Rental. "We have everything from glassware, china and linens to moon bounces and party tents."