Emma Zehner Photos
Governor Dannel P. Malloy attracted several inquisitive glances as he indulged in a local favorite: the Lobster Shack’s “Hot Lobster Roll.” He arrived in Branford last week as part of his fourth annual tour of restaurants, stores and tourist destinations along Connecticut’s south-central shoreline. His first stop was the Lobster Shack.
Soon he sat down at one the restaurant’s picnic tables, observing the afternoon rush and gesturing to land across the Branford River as a nod to future economic endeavors.
The governor’s office had contacted Branford state Rep. Lonnie Reed earlier in the year about organizing a stop in Branford on the one-day tour. According to Reed, she has been trying to get Malloy interested in the Branford area, so she accepted the offer and helped to organize the event. Reed is now seeking re-election. She is pictured here with Widlitz and Nick Crismale.
“As we are trying to promote economic development, it is important for them to see this transit oriented district,” Reed said, referring to the nearby railroad stop. She said she wanted the Governor to visit the Lobster Shack because of its location. The shack sits right near an up-and-coming new business section of Branford, the future Stony Creek Brewery, and also a proposed remaking of the old Atlantic Wire building.
“We want to have a conversation about it [that whole strip] now and we want to make sure the best thing comes of it,” Reed said.
“People tend to think of Branford as exit 53 and exit 56 and don’t venture into many other parts between,” said Reed, who joined Malloy on his tour. “We are trying to stitch together the assets.”
Malloy’s visit came only days after the Republican gubernatorial primary, in which Greenwich businessman Tom Foley won the party’s nomination. However, Malloy told the Eagle that this tour is not a part of his official campaign, but is instead an annual event to promote important parts of the state’s culture, including travel and tourism, which generate $11.5 billion annually statewide, according to a recent announcement.
The Governor’s Tour
Reed said that since the governor started doing these tours, more people have been planning outings to loosely replicate the trip he takes on this one day. She said the aim is to show folks “all the things there are to do” whether for a week or a weekend.
State Sen. Ed Meyer and state Rep. Pat Widlitz, both of whom are retiring from public office this year, joined Malloy on his tour in an effort to promote local businesses, including the Lobster Shack and Ashley’s Ice Cream. Sean Scanlon, who is seeking Widlitz’s seat in the 98th district, which includes Guilford and two sections of Branford, was present too.
Looking towards the gubernatorial election, Reed is excited about not only Branford’s success, but the entire state’s future. “We have had bigger job growth this year than we have had since the 90s.” According to Reed, Branford specifically has attracted growing companies including biotech and technology companies.
At 2 p.m., Malloy arrived at the Lobster Shack, a local family-owned seafood restaurant. Owners Arlene and Nick Crismale greeted Malloy in front of the stand and led him on a tour of the small facility.
After waiting his turn in line, the governor ordered a lobster roll, clam chowder, a Snapple and a bag of potato chips.
Stony Creek Brewery
On Friday, the picnic tables were full with customers. Malloy took a seat. The area looks out onto the Branford River and sits directly across from the future home of the new Stony Creek Brewery. Earlier this month, Malloy attended a groundbreaking at the site.
“People seem to be genuinely excited about the brewery,” Malloy told the Eagle over lunch.
According to Malloy, a few days earlier he visited the Two Roads Brewery in Stamford. “I was blown away that this brewery that didn’t exist in 2012 already has 49 full-time employees and 21 part- time employees,” Malloy said. He has similar hopes for the future Branford site.
After lunch, Malloy walked around, meeting people and asking about their lunches.
One woman stopped Malloy. “I just want to say I think you are doing a wonderful job,” she said. “You have had a very hard road.”
Malloy thanked her and moved along to the next table.
There, he talked with a family. One girl sat resting an injured leg.
“No more dancing for you,” Malloy joked as he walked away.
Ashley’s is Next Stop
At about 3 p.m., Malloy and his party drove to nearby Ashley’s Ice Cream parlor across from the Town Green. Founded in 1979, Ashley’s is a dessert staple along the shoreline, with locations in Branford, Madison, Guilford, Hamden and New Haven.
After ordering a vanilla ice cream, Malloy talked with several supporters who were waiting in Ashley’s when he arrived. They discussed his exercise regimen and a local road race.
After twenty minutes, Malloy left Ashley’s to head to his next destination for the day.
Outside, Reed introduced Malloy to Billy DiLegge, the owner of Pasta Cosi, a restaurant in downtown Branford. The governor promised Dilegge he would stop by someday soon.
The Lobster Shack and Ashley’s Ice Cream were only two stops of five the governor made throughout the day.
Before arriving in Branford, Malloy visited the Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven. The non-profit museum is the oldest continuously running suburban trolley line in the country.
In 2012, the Governor and various state legislators helped to initiate a $1 million state grant to the museum to build updated trolley storage buildings above the flood plain. The museum incurred serious damages from Hurricane Irene and Sandy, and this money is allowing the staff to rebuild the facilities in a safer way.
After Ashley’s, the governor drove to the nearby Henry Whitfield State Museum in Guilford, a state attraction since it opened in 1639, and then to R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison.
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