Part 5 The Final Count on East Haven's Economic Woes

So here we are the final part of a five part series and I know that some of the people in the Capone Administration will be glad that it is over. But it truly is not. It's up to you the readers to continue to remember all of the pictures in your head and carry that to the ballot box in November.

I know that we have rattled the cage of the Chair of the Democratic Town Committee, Gene Ruocco because he has continually mentioned this blog on the PATCH and just recently the almighty protector of Mayor April, Mr Capone has joined the fight. I won't back down, will you? They have accused me of being the sniper behind the blog. But truly, it hasn't been me but I am quite flattered to think they thin it is me. They definitely are paranoid. I guess in a way the VINE has inspired desent. But we all know how Gene Ruocco thinks. I mean, who cares about facts when you're pushing an agenda.

If you're not a person who follows politics please remember that I have presented pictures and facts which are worth  a thousand words. It's a stark contrast to the pictures (none) of what Mr. Ruocco speaks about. It's his agenda, it's his power base and you the voter are a threat to him. April Capone is just a tool in his sphere of influence.

We've pushed Mr. Ruocco and his corrupt cronies to the brink and hopefully this November you will send him a clear message that the games are over, the political appointments are done and the friends and family network is done.

I now present to you the remainder of the vacant store fronts in the 2nd District and our Industrial Parks.

Cinque Industrial Park

52 South End Road

Bradley Street Complex

Zoned Industrial on Bradley Street

Zoned for Industrial Use on Bradley Street

Former ABC Building on Bradley Street

290 Dodge Avenue

To be closed this August (Dodge Avenue)

The Former Batters Edge on Bradley Street

East Haven Industrial Park

The Former Fuch's Building (East Haven Industrial Park)

The Former Longs Florist on Dodge Avenue

The Former Apizza Grande on Coe Aveune

The Former Studio on Coe Avenue

Vacant Industrial Lot on Washington Avenue

Professional Office Space 111 South Shore Drive

Corner of Coe Ave and Short Beach Road

Short Beach Road

So here are the final 18 properties bringing our grand total to 78 prime commerical properties that are currently vacant in the Town of East Haven. I have been accused of being one sided in this presentation and not fully representative of East Haven because other Towns are experiencing the same problems as East Haven. So I challenge those who think I am not fair to get off your keypads and show me the proof. 

Lastly, to be fair, I will also post a list of new businesses that have opened since Mayor April has become Mayor. I can promise this. It's no where near the 78 vacant spots we currently have.

Stay Tuned!

Part 4 East Haven's Center Struggles to keep up

Part 4 of the series of East Haven's economic woes shows the heart of East Haven and how it is struggling to stay viable. While the Capone Administration looks to blame others for their lack of attention and focus on East Haven's economy and tries to steer the conversation to it's a national problem or we still are collecting tax dollars they fail to realize that the lack of economic stability in a community has far more reaching effects. It goes to our ability to pay, educated and provision of services.

I do have a question that I hope someone can answer. We spend approximately $97K on the PERF report, have done nothing with it. Don't you think if we took $97K and hired a professional economic consultant firm, we could have filled some of these vacant stores? The old phrase, you've got to spend money to make money might be just what was needed.

The following locations are from High Street, Main Street, north side of Frontage Rd, Trolley Square and Hemingway Avenue.

199 Frontage Road (Former Kitchen and Bath Installation)

East Haven Mall (Main Street)

Kelly Commons 216 A Main Street

57 High Street (Professional Office Space)

Former MetCalf's 272 Main Street

280 Main Street (Professional Space)

310 Main Street (Delta Building) Professional Space

334 Main Street (Former Flooring Installation)

Former Blake Financial on High Street

Former Peoples Bank (Frontage Road)

Excellent location on Frontage Road for a Five Guys Hamburger Store

Former Nationwide Insurance (High St) Professional Space



One of the most important business centers in our center of Town is the Trolley Square Mall. It's very deceptive because of the shape of the plaza but when you closely examine the surrounding stores you realize that there are many vacant stores

Former Art Framing Store and upstairs completely vacant

2 vacant stores next to Stop n Shop

Trolley Sq Retail Store

Trolley Sq Retail Store

Across the street from Trolley Sq on Hemingway Ave

The former Grab and Go Store on Main Street

So while I have been accused of creating hate, venom and lying about everything from Mayor April former job at Verizon Wireless to this story all I can tell you is that a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are another 20 store fronts, commercial space and professional office space to demonstrate that this Administration has no control of economic development. Yesterday's count was 40 and with today's number we are a 60 vacant commercial spaces.

We still have one more series to cover. Can you guess what the final number of vacant commercial properties East Haven has? The Vine knows!

Tomorrow, East Haven's Industrial Parks and the 2nd District.

Stay Tuned!



Part 3: East Haven's Economic Woes are hard in the Foxon Area

Continuing the series of telling the real story with visual support is what is needed here in East Haven. We are tired of the one man circus act that continues to prop up a failed Capone Administration that has no clue how to generate new business and create growth in East Haven. It was commented by the Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee that phone calls have been made and plans are in the works? If phone calls are being made and plans are in the works then what is the real problem? Could it be that no one wants to do business with East Haven because the Town has fiscal issues, lowered bond ratings, high foreclosures and an administration that is hostile to business? Just ask Car Max and Home Depot how they have been demonized for receiving incentives to open their businesses here. Mayor April talked about bring a Christmas Tree Shop here when she first ran for election. My question is why would they come. Why would BJ's COSTCO or any large big box retailer want to open here now?

With no plan, no skills and hostility this is what you end up with. See our photos from the Foxon Area.

Below are all the vacant stores from the Former A&P SuperFood Market. The entire plaza with the exception of two stores are vacant. There is no reason why this store could not be opened again with either a Costco, BJ's or another supermarket chain. In order to make East Haven attractive you need to have a business friendly environment.





Foxon Plaza 1

Foxon Plaza 2

Foxon Plaza 3

Former A&P Superfood Market





The the former Eblans store was moved across the street to the current CVS Plaza and this plaza that has been slowly dying. We do have Subway, Radio Shack and a Pizza Place but how long can they survive? The entire office space above the complex was once the home of Radiop Shacks Regional Office.

Eblan Plaza 1



691 Foxon Rd (Former Eblan's Plaza)

Eblan Plaza 2

The Former Eblan's Store

The entire upper floor of the Old Eblan Plaza



All along the Foxon Road (RT 80) stretch there are more vacant commerical properties, some are of mixed use. Creative minds could do wonders with these commercial pieces but again a Town needs a plan, needs vision and must be open and friendly to business.

Foxon Road (Near North Branford Border)

Former World Wide Travel

CVS Plaza

945 Foxon Road

Foxon Road Unit #4 (Next to Forsa Sports)

Foxon Road Across the street from the Former A&P Foodmarket

The Foxon Area of Town is of great concern. The western end of RT 80 is very developed and without a vital business plan the entire strip could be in danger.

With today's report we added another 15 store fronts and commercial properties to the list of vacant properties in East Haven bringing our total vacant commercial properties to 40. Can you guess how many East Haven has in total? The Vine knows!

Stay tuned....Tomorrow The Center of East Haven!