The golden era of grocery stores and supermarkets are said to have happened in the 1950s. However, it goes without saying people will always have their preference of where to get their eggs and milk. With the industry spanning over a decade, you can expect that every state has its own unique grocery store that the locals love. In Connecticut, for example, that grocery store is Ferraro’s Market, a simple grocery store that has remained the same since its debut that has collected a cultlike following.

It’s easy to label Ferraro’s as an outdated relic stuck in the past, but the grocer’s blend of old school charm, customer-first approach, and meat department are reason enough for this food retailer to not change its ways. After all, the company prides itself on giving as much as possible to high-quality customer service — something it believes is becoming a lost art.

Moreover, the local food retailer offers a premium meat department using fresh seafood caught and brought in off the New York shores. Prepared meals are presented in display cases for quick eat options, and the store features a diverse menu ranging from eggplant Parmesan to Thai-style barbecue wings. With over 50 years in the industry, it’s easy to understand why people continue to shop at this local grocery store.

Read more: The Definitive Ranking Of Grocery Store Butter Brands

The History Of The Longstanding Local Grocery Chain

Ferraro’s Market opened in 1973, a time after supermarkets replaced several small shops. One of the owners, Salvatore Ferraro Sr., co-owned Mohawk Market and ran the meat department in 1953. However, throughout the 1960s, the way families shopped was changing, as was the nuclear family. The wife remained at home in a supporting role, tending to the house and kids while the husband went to work. During the ’60s, the market was shifting with stay-at-home wives gaining employment, which resulted in retailers needing to adapt. To go from your local butcher to your local produce retailer soon became inconvenient for the everyday shopper — although it’s a common modern day practice to get the lowest prices. That said, many opted for a more convenient one-stop-shop at the local supermarket.

Mohawk Market partnered with two other retailers, Rosner’s Market and Gambardella Brothers, in hopes of meeting the convenience needs of customers while still providing quality service. Despite the recent partnership, Salvatore left four years later to pursue his own project with his wife Joan entering the food retailer business for themselves. The two found success and expanded their business, fine-tuning the building to meet the needs of the customers. Coming from old world charm that was local shops and retailers, Ferraro’s brings together the convenience of supermarkets with the quality customer service experience of a local grocer.

Read the original article on Chowhound.

On Saturday, the Connecticut Fire Academy celebrated its latest group of 28 cadets who’ve completed the introduction to fire service program.

The week-long course trains teenagers across the state between the ages of 14-17 years old on how to become successful firefighters. 

There are two separate introductory weeks along with a third week focused on advanced training, but cadets must first complete the introductory course, according to P.J Norwood, Director of Training at the Connecticut Fire Academy. 

“It’s a full week camp where we introduce them to skills, tactics and training within the Connecticut Fire Service and we bring these cadets from all across the state and we group them together and we build one big team,” Norwood said. 

The academy has been conducting training for decades.

Norwood added as it becomes more difficult to find qualified individuals, it’s these types of opportunities that prepare cadets to build a career in firefighting. 

“This opportunity allows them to learn what the fire service is about, learn quality fire service, public safety and life skills and get them engaged in the fire service. The majority of our cadets will go on to be successful volunteer firefighters, career firefighters or public safety professionals.”

Timothy Shove, 15, of Clinton was one of the 28 cadets who successfully completed the introductory training course.

“I learned mostly how to search and how to use a radio, I didn’t know how to use a radio. I also learned how to raise a ladder, a bunch of stuff and it was very important to me.” 

Shove said for him it was a great experience and looks forward to one day becoming a firefighter.

“My dad’s my inspiration right here and it’s just really something I enjoy,” Shove said.

Michael Shove, Assistant Chief at Guilford Fire Department, expressed pride at his son following in his footsteps. 

“Watching when we dropped him off on Sunday to where he is today and watching all the cadets out here actually go through a full fire evolution is amazing.” 

To celebrate the end of the course, cadets demonstrated an emergency fire scenario to family and friends. 

We have a warm and muggy day on tap for Saturday after some morning showers move out.

The morning showers and clouds will give way to partly cloudy skies. Highs will be near 80.

Some parts of the state could see a few thunderstorms later in the evening and toward midnight.

Sunday will be stellar with sunny skies and highs between 85 and 90.

Monday will also be sunny with highs in the low 90s.

More rain is likely on Tuesday.