OEDC Newsletter - December 2019

12/17/2019

 

The Orange Economic Development Corporation would like to wish you a happy holiday and an exciting new year.    This past year has brought some excitement in both the commercial and industrial zones.  I’d like to thank First Selectman James Zeoli, the Economic Development Commission, the OEDC Board, the commercial brokers, and business community for all their support this year.

In this report you will read about the:

  1. Property Activity
  2. Boston Post Road Banner Program
  3. Orange Business & Community Expo
  4. OrangeLife Magazine
  5. Orange Community Farmers’ Market

 


PROPERTY ACTIVITY

The Town of Orange had a bit of growth in the commercial and industrial sectors with 11 new business openings and 8 business closings.  In addition, there were 4 business relocations and multiple properties being developed for new industries.  

The following are a few of the projects and transactions for the year: 

  • Work began at 161 Marsh Hill Road (the former Stew Leonard’s land) to construct a 47,178 square-foot distribution facility and a 9,680 square-foot maintenance building for FedEx on the 41-acre site. 
  • HomeSense will be joining the Orange Meadows Plaza at 550-560 Boston Post Road and renovations began to accommodate the home products store.  Julia’s Bakery and New England Beverage have moved within the plaza to make room for HomeSense, which is set to open in first quarter 2020.  HomeSense is part of the TJX Companies Inc., which includes TJMaxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods.  The store will be the first in Connecticut.
  • Construction of the VA Community Care Center on 200 Edison Road is complete and the center is in process of occupying the building. The one-story 57,370 square-foot facility will house health related services for veterans.    
  • Construction is in process for Eastern Tech Company on the land adjacent to the VA Community Care Center on Edison Road.  The specialty ink and coatings manufacturer is constructing a 42,000 square-foot facility that will house the company’s chemists, engineers, production, marketing and administrative team members.  The project should be completed first quarter 2020.
  • Hilton Homewood Suites at 99 Marsh Hill Road opened its doors this month.  The four-story hotel contains 121 all-suite units, a gym, pool, spa and conference room.  This is Orange’s second hotel.  
  • Flexprint, LLC a managed print services company, leased 12,975 square-foot of industrial and office space at 55 Robinson Boulevard.  The company is based out of Mesa, Arizona.
  • Two businesses have joined the FireLite Plaza:  Orange Pediatric Therapy opened in the spring and the Wine Merchant is set to open soon.  Plans for the remainder of the plaza are still being developed.  
  • U-Haul Moving & Storage at 190 Boston Post Road completed internal and external renovations of the unattractive building they purchased in 2018.  The company also occupies 174 Boston Post Road, and the two combined properties make a large campus, which gives U-Haul the opportunity to increase their services.
In-town Relocations
  • Planet Fitness relocated from 400 Boston Post Road to a larger 25,230 square-foot space at 440 Boston Post Road.
  • LifeLine Nursing purchased the former Inner Essence Spa property at311 Racebrook Road and will be moving from the Boston Post Road once renovations are complete.
  • A-1 Fitness moved within the Christmas Tree Plaza to make room for Golf Lounge 18.
  • Achieve Wellness relocated from a location on the Boston Post Road to a larger space at 35 Old Tavern Road.

 Below is a list of business gains and losses:

Business Gains
  1. Arsen’s Gym                                                   464 Boston Post Road
  2. Flexprint, LLC                                                 55 Robinson Boulevard
  3. Golf Lounge 18                                               220 Indian River Road
  4. Handyman Matters                                         233 Boston Post Road
  5. Hilton Homewood Suites                                99 Marsh Hill Road
  6. Hook & Reel                                                   385 Boston Post Road
  7. Mezza Bar & Grill                                           200 Boston Post Road
  8. Orange Pediatric Therapy                              308 Racebrook Road
  9. Ronai Physical Therapy                                 400 Boston Post Road
  10. Spot VR Lounge                                             385 Boston Post Road
  11. The Furniture Depot                                       484 Boston Post Road

Note:  Good Food International Gourmet Market at 518 Boston Post Road is set to open soon. 

 

Business Losses
  1. Bedding Barn                                                  131 Boston Post Road
  2. Battlezone                                                       371 Boston Post Road
  3. Famous Footwear                                           538 Boston Post Road
  4. Fireside Grill                                                   385 Boston Post Road
  5. Inner Essence Spa                                         311 Racebrook Road
  6. Monster Mini Golf                                           220 Indian River Road
  7. South Sea Grill                                               200 Boston Post Road
  8. Wine & Liquor Outlet                                      528 Boston Post Road

 

BOSTON POST ROAD BANNER PROGRAM

The OEDC markets the Boston Post Road Banner Program.  Local Businesses can sponsor banners that are set on the 36 Decorative Light Poles installed along the length of the Boston Post Road for a one-year period.  Cost is $600 for construction of a new banner and $500 to renew each year.  This is an excellent method for businesses to advertise every day of the year to the 22,000+ cars that travel the Boston Post Road daily. There is a selection of locations available, call our office at 203-891-1045 for locations. 

ORANGE BUSINESS & COMMUNITY EXPO

The 2020 Orange Business and Community Expo is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10th from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm—note the time change.  Now that renovations at High Plains Community Center have been completed, the Expo will be returning to the center. We will have full access to the newly renovated conference rooms and are in the process of developing new activities for this year’s 18th Expo. 

 

The OEDC has been actively seeking sponsors and there are many levels of sponsorship packages available, ranging in price from $250 to $5,000. Please call if interested.   

There is space for 56 business vendors and registration will open in January.  For best booth location, register early via www.orangeEDC.com/Events or call 203-891-1045.  Formal solicitations will go out in February.  Booth cost is $300 and includes pipe & drape, table, two chairs, activities, inclusion of marketing materials in the welcome bags, and company information in the event program booklet, company name listed in OrangeLife Magazine, and company name included in social media posts. 

 

ORANGELIFE MAGAZINE

Now in its 10th year of publication, OrangeLife Magazine is designed to highlight and celebrate what it means to be a member of the Orange community.  The magazine supports local businesses and features articles about the residential and business community, as well as activities in Orange.  Over 7,000 magazines are produced and delivered to every home, business and Post Office Box within Orange, twice per year (summer/winter).  Additional copies are placed at locations throughout the town.  All editions are posted on the OrangeLife website for online reading (www.orangelife.net).   Planning has begun on the summer edition, which will be our 21st issue.  Anyone interested in advertising, please call our office at 203-891-1045.   

 

ORANGE COMMUNITY FARMERS’ MARKET

The OEDC also organizes the Orange Community Farmers’ Market, which runs from June to September from 3:30 pm – 7 pm at High Plains Community Center.  The Market is in its 6th year and planning will begin in January.  There were 18 vendors and 9 entertainers participating last season.  The 2020 season begins on Thursday June 25th at 3:30. Check the market website at www.FarmMarketOrange.com for additional information.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


5/16/2019
New Business Activity
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