Not much life in Southington

[Modica]

I guess I was just tired of seeing that same post in the Life in Southington post. I did notice as I went through Southington the other day that the development has really taken off, but I also saw quite a few homes for sale and some of them had no occupants. If you can't sell already existing homes why in the world would you build these big condo complexes and huge homes. The area where Target is being built is really going to cause alot of traffic nightmares. What are the planning and zoning people in that town thinking?

[stellas mom]

Hi Modica -
I agree with you! The same posts have been in "Life in Southington" for an awfully long time. Maybe everyone in town is too busy building Targets/Lowes/new McMansions to post anything! LOL

I live off of West Street, and I've finally gotten used to the fact that the area will be completely built up and all of the trees & wildlife will be gone soon. It's just the way it is. I must say, tho, that the road work involved with widening West Street to 84 has been going along smoothly. West Street was a country road and not made for super-duper stores & hotels, so we've got to make it wider, as Southington is no longer rural.

We have to build more houses and businesses so we can add to the Grand List. Everything started being built when we lost Pratt & Whitney years back. Also, the farmers who owned a lot of the open land passed away, and their families didn't want to farm, and the property was worth a lot of money, so...up for sale it went. I can't blame them - they sold the land and went on to start their own lives; hopefully staying in Southington, as it's a lovely town with very nice hard-working people for the most part.

What I can't understand is.....how many of these big-box stores do we need?? I don't know about you, but I've pretty much got everything I could possibly want already, and it's a 10 minute trip to visit a Target in Berlin or even W Hartford, or a Lowes in Plainville if something needs to be replaced.

I am amazed at the amount of trash that people put out for pickup sometimes - cartons, packaging peanuts, styrofoam, toys literally by the bucketload. I actually have neighbors who have a little "party" by their garage when they purchase something new - theater seats for the family room, a big-screen TV, ATVs - they leave the new purchase out in plain view so everyone can see it before they bring it in the house. Neighbors come over to see, beers are offered, and everyone has a pretty good time. We have to laugh, but it's the way it is now.

I sound REALLY OLD in this post!! I'm not really, but I've just lived in Southington for 25 years and have seen the pretty open land being gobbled up & developed literally before my eyes. It breaks my heart, but I'm told the PZC is just doing it's job. Money talks!

[Modica]

With this economy the planning and zoning officials have been really irresponsible. Now Cheshire wants to put this upscale shopping village on the Southington/Cheshire townline. Also they want a big hotel and condos on the land also. We are losing population to the south and west. Who will support all this crap. It is insanity.

[stellas mom]

Welcome to my world, Modica! I used to think that Southington was going to stay nice & quiet forever. Cheshire is not immune to development any more than any other small CT town, unfortunately.

As for who will support all these stores? For a lot of people now, shopping is a hobby! At Home Depot, you'll see people w/a shopping cart browsing their way down the aisles. Guess looking at 1,000's of lightbulbs can be exciting to some....(I know I'm pretty excited when I actually find the one I'm looking for!)

[Tina]

I know! We moved from Southington to Western MA two years ago, and I miss Southington, but never see any posts here!

Land gobbled up yes. We moved from Southington to Western MA two years ago for several reasons:

The house we were renting was sold and torn down to make way for the new devlopment off Savage St. Was a shame because a whole section of woods was torn down.

Sooo we decided to move to Western MA to be close to my sister and so I can babysit my nephew.

My heart will always be in Southington, but I could not believe the amount of building that has gone on the last time I was in Southington for a friends party.

[Chriss P]

We are just having a new Lowes here on 372 in Cromwell and a new CVS across from the new Walgreens. Along with new lights in an area already heavily congested. Somone just has tax revenues on thier mind and care little for those living in the immediate area.

You have my sympathies.

[alwaysright]

At least southington has something that Meriden probably never will. A great bunch of restaurants in their downtown. 3 BBQ joints, a steak house, a fab new Italian place and then several others who have been there for years. and we're still waiting for at least ONE good place downtown. the new ones so far have not been up to snuff.

[Modica]

At least southington has something that Meriden probably never will. A great bunch of restaurants in their downtown. 3 BBQ joints, a steak house, a fab new Italian place and then several others who have been there for years. and we're still waiting for at least ONE good place downtown. the new ones so far have not been up to snuff.
All these chains in Southington, have crushed and ruined many small businesses in town. They are like devouring insects that have covered the grass and greenery. How much is enough?

[alwaysright]

All these chains in Southington, have crushed and ruined many small businesses in town. They are like devouring insects that have covered the grass and greenery. How much is enough?


not one of the restaurants I mentioned are a part of a chain. all family owned and operated.

[Modica]

not one of the restaurants I mentioned are a part of a chain. all family owned and operated.
Sure those small businesses may do well for awhile, but with time the big franchises will eat away at those small places like a dog to a piece of meat.