Popular Southington Market To Rebuild In Community Effort

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The owners of a popular market wrecked by a fire in March have announced plans to rebuild with personal investments from customers part of the big picture.

"We're beyond excited to announce we are rebuilding," the owners of Tops Marketplace said in a Monday Facebook post.

The target date to re-open in February 2020, owners said in the post.

In early March, Tops Marketplace, located at 887 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike in Southington, was destroyed in a fire. Flames were visible through the roof and the fire "was active throughout the building" when firefighters arrived, officials said at the time.

The roof eventually collapsed, officials said.

The owners at the time said no one was hurt, then added, "Our family is devastated. This has been a family business for over 30 years. It is as if we lost a member of our family."

Thus, they are taking the family approach to getting the business back on its feet — with the entire town involved.

"Stay tuned for updates as they develop ... we're happy to share news as it unfolds," the owners said in the Monday post. "Should you wish to contribute via check to the Tops Community Rebuild Fund, please send it to the following address: Tops Marketplace Community Rebuild Fund ... c/o United Bank, 158 N. Main Street, Southington, CT 06489."

The municipality has helped already. In May, the Town Council waived personal property taxes for the business. A total of $3,462 was owed. The Tops track record of donating to local causes was cited as a factor. State law allows personal property taxes — things like fixtures inside a building — to be waived in cases like that of Tops.

That still left the owners short, records show.