Trumbull Gets a Cookie Party Business and Marisa's a Neighbor

A sweet new business is coming to town.

The Cookie Workshop could be built in a suite at 100 Corporate Drive as early as September, said Rob and Carrie Memmesheimer, the applicants.

"The Cookie Workshop is a nut-free cookie and cupcake bakery which sells platters of cookies and cupcakes and specializes in make-your-own-cookie parties for children and adults. We will also be available during the day for people to drop-by and make their own cookies," Carrie Memmesheimer said.

Cupcakes will be served and platters can be pre-ordered, she added. Party groups could be as large 20, but would likely involve 10-15 people.

In addition to unanimous approval by the zoning panel, the business also won praise from then-Economic Development Director Deborah Cox.

"The owner has conducted extensive research," she said. "This is a unique concept. This suits the wholesome image Trumbull is going after perfectly."

Zoning Board Vice Chairwoman Arlyne Fox called the business "a very novel idea."

A Revised Plan

The second approval of the night was the one-story, 6,000-square-foot commercial building to be erected next to Marisa's Ristorante in a vacant lot. It is a revised design of a building approved in 2007, said Frederick F. Ehrsam, a lawyer for the applicant, Attilio Marini and ABM Brothers.

"We didn't proceed to construction of the building" because of funding, he said.

Phase I of the project is nearly complete, he noted. "We have completed 90 percent of the restaurant," he said. "We're running against the clock, we have to get this done before the cold weather."

The design is in the colonial style of the homes in the Pondview Avenue and Bassick Road areas, he said.

"This development was always envisioned to be linked to the restaurant," said David Bjorklund, an engineer on the project.

The project's architect, James McElroy, said the complex could be divided in different ways depending on the tenants.

It would be designed to resemble "a small New England Village," McElroy said. "I used some of the elements of the older buildings  in town."

Zoning board Chairman Tony Chory thanked the applicants for "going through all that effort to beautify the area."

Town Planner Bill Levin said the new building is "less barracks-like."

The developers will have to post $75,000 cash bond to complete the landscaping of Marisa's and the new building, and engineering for the building.

There is still debris in the wetlands area, noted town Engineer Steve Savarese.

Fox then raised an objection.

"We have been down this road many times. The bridge [over Farrar Brook] put where it was not supposed to be put. The debris is an eyesore. It still stands with violations still effect," she said.

Marini replied that the debris was to be used earlier but the delay led to the pile remaining. He added that it would be removed soon.

Cox praised the project, which is five years in the making, something she started when she first started working in Trumbull.

"We've worked tirelessly to negotiate the look of the building. I don't think it gets any better than this. To prevent this from going forward tonight would be a shame," Cox said.

Marini said he has been "bending over backwards" to get the commission's approval.

"It's ugly with that empty space. Let's move it forward," Cox added.

Fox remained doubtful that new conditions would be ineffective. "The conditions don't seem to make any difference, Mr. Marini," she said.