OEDC Newsletter - January 2026
1/21/2026
BIG Y WILL BRING NEW STORE TO COLONIAL COMMONS
Big Y has leased the former Christmas Tree Shop space at Colonial Commons Plaza at 200 Indian River Road, a 52,955 square foot space. We are very excited to have them join the plaza and feel a grocer will do well there, giving the plaza new life. This large anchor tenant will generate foot traffic throughout the shopping center, which will benefit the current tenants such as Bull Dog Swim Academy, Golf Lounge 18, Yankee Candle, M Beauty Studio, and Renee's Resale Clothing Outlet, and the remaining vacant space will be easier to fill. The grocer expects to open by 2Q27 when renovations have completed. Jim Zeoli and I are scheduled to meet with the executives of Big Y and the Brixmor team on Friday.
ORANGE PROPERTY BROCHURE
Our updated Orange Property Brochure has been sent to print! We use the brochure for business outreach and to help market the town and available properties. Changes included a fresh new look, updated photos, and a more defined map. Our last brochure was produced in 2017. The OEDC and the Orange Economic Development Commission have been working on the brochure since the beginning of the summer.
BUSINESS UPDATE
Active Deals
There have been on-going lease negotiations for several Orange properties in both the commercial and industrial zones. All is confidential and the exciting news will be announced as soon as permitted. Know that even when a lease is signed, the business may not want news spread until they are ready. I am very dedicated to keeping things confidential until the user and the property owners are ready to share the news.
New Development
Construction is progressing at 88 Marsh Hill Road for Noble. The new fueling center will include gas, diesel, and EV charging, as well as a convenience shop. Noble Gas, Inc. is a Connecticut-based business that has been growing since 2013 with multiple locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
In the Works
· J&W Playworld, a children's entertainment center,will open soon at 80 Boston Post Road in the former LA Fitness, a 50,000 square-foot space. Renovations have been ongoing. The center will feature playscapes, trampolines, ninja courses, arcade, party rooms, and more.
· Venus Nail & Spa will open soon at 330 Boston Post Road
Goldfish Swim School will open soon at 538 Boston Post Road, in the former liquor store space of the Raymour & Flanigan plaza. They are accepting PRE-REGISTRATIONS.
OEDC DONATES TO THE OVFD The OEDC is pleased to donate $3,000 to the Orange Volunteer Fire Association from proceeds from our annual golf tournament held this past September. The OEDC and the OVFD have been partnering on the annual tournament since 2021. |
ORANGE ARTISAN FEST & BUSINESS EXPO
The all-outdoor event is scheduled for Thursday, June 18th, from 2:30 - 6:30, at the Orange Fairgrounds. Businesses, artisans, crafters, and farmers will be selling their products and services. Visitors can expect shopping, networking, activities, live music, and food trucks.Any business interested in becoming a vendor, can REGISTER ONLINE.
At this time, the OEDC is seeking sponsors. Any interested in sponsoring, please call our office for more information. We'd like to thank The Milford Bank, Senior Insurance Consultants, Orange Economic Development Commission, and the Connecticut Burns Care Foundation for sponsoring!
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ORANGELIFE MAGAZINE
Planning has begun on the summer issue. Anyone interested in advertising, please call our office. The magazine gets delivered to all Orange resident, PO Box, and business addresses and is available to READ ONLINE as well.
