'A Lot of People Believe In Monroe'

Monroe Means Business had more than twice its usual number of vendors this year, amping up the networking opportunities at the Monroe Economic Development Commission's annual tabletop expo. Three town businesses were also honored with awards for Beautification, New Business/Construction and Achievement.

Twenty-nine businesses rented tables at The Waterview Thursday evening and guests mingled over a buffet that included a turkey carving station and ordered drinks from the bar.

"Usually there are 12 or 13," Monroe Chamber of Commerce President Ray Giovanni said of the number of vendors. "It was just a different pitch in trying to get folks to the table."

Giovanni attributed the higher attendance to the popular online contests, in which people voted on Facebook for their favorite businesses.

Roberto Perez, the EDC chairman, said, "We expected just a few 100 votes for these awards, and to show the amount of support that this town has for these businesses, we have almost 2,300 votes for these awards."

The Monroe Diner won the Beautification Award, the Collaborative Women's Center won best New Business/Construction and Linda's Story Time won the Achievement Award for businesses that have been in town for at least a decade.

Finalists for Beatification were Compounded Solutions and Tula Restaurant; for New Business Construction were Koko Fit Club and Compounded Solutions; and the finalist for Achievement were Glen Ro Spirit Shoppe, Irene's Flower Shop and Sippin Energy.

'A Lot of Growth'

During First Selectman Steve Vavrek's remarks he said he saw a lot of new businesses among the audience, adding a recent zoning regulations update will enable the town to build upon that growth.

"Now with the hard work of our Planning & Zoning Commission you're going to see a lot of good, positive change in Monroe with economic development," he said. "You're going to see a lot of growth in the next year or two years."

Vavrek noted there was a good number of local developers in the audience and said, "There's a lot of people who believe in Monroe. Now all we have to do is shop Monroe and believe in ourselves."

P&Z Chairman Patrick O'Hara talked about the recent update of the town's zoning regulations that now has one section for definitions, allows uses as of right and allows retail in the Limited Office District.

O'Hara thanked everyone involved in the update, including people in the room who gave commissioners direction. He said, "I'm very excited for this town and what's going to happen. I really thing we're going to see an exciting time in the town's history."

The Venders

Venders renting tables who were not mentioned earlier in this story include: AT&T; Mother Terra Massage; Goldfinch Systems; Atherton & Associates; People's United Bank; Kimball Group; Union Savings Bank; Edgerton; Flower Barn; Power Network; Edward Jones; Connecticut Basement Systems; Right At Home; Brenko Studio; Spaddaccino and Leo Gallagher & Son Funeral Home; Village Mortgage; Prescription for Wellness; M&T Bank; Courtesy Carpet; Always Best Care Services; All-Star Driver and Newtown Savings Bank.