Connecticut

How Connecticut malls are reinventing themselves to compete in the retail world

Published

2 months ago

May 7, 2026

How Connecticut malls are reinventing themselves to compete in the retail world

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — In an ever-changing retail space, malls across Connecticut are doing what they can to keep up with the times and rethink what the quintessential mall experience looks like moving forward.

From the hum of escalators and the buttery smell of warm pretzels to eye-catching window displays, shopping malls charmed customers when they first opened in the late 20th century.

For some, those early memories tie back to long days walking the halls of The Westfarms Mall in West Hartford.

“I saw ‘Star Wars’ here; there were movies in the mall back in the mid-70s and 80s,” Ronald Torres of West Hartford said. “The mall changed throughout the years, but this mall has always been a staple in this area.”

Self-described as ‘Central Connecticut’s Premier Shopping Destination,’ the space holds over 140 stores, many of which are filled, for shoppers to choose from.

To keep its legacy strong, General Manager Carolyn Edwards and her team say they are constantly looking ahead for ways to elevate their shopping experience. Recently, the mall has leaned more towards offering unique dining options and special events to pique customers’ interest.

“I think Gen Z right now is really embracing the mall, right? After COVID, you had people who maybe weren’t socializing or coming out,” Edwards said.

Keeping a healthy variety of brands that customers can identify with is also key, from popular national retailers to high-end brands. The mall is soon welcoming Barnes and Noble and Häagen-Dazs just in time for sweet summer treats and beach reads.

“The shoppers come to support it and in turn the retailers say, ‘We want to be at that center cause that’s where the strong shopper base is,’ so it goes hand in hand,” Edwards said.

A Different Story Down The Road

Just a couple of towns over, Enfield Square has been up for conversation by town leaders. Built in the 1970’s, the space stood tall as an economic driver for the town.

Over the past decade, Economic Director Aaron Marcavitch says he’s seen a decline in revenue, followed by a full mall closure for safety reasons. A Target location, which is “anchored” to the mall, has remained open.

“All these different communities that had malls as their hubs are really looking at these as revitalization opportunities,” Marcavitch said. “It’s critical that that parcel be redeveloped in some way. We really don’t want to have a massive, vacant parcel in the core of our community.”

Gears are moving for potential new owners, who have already proposed plans to town leaders to turn the mall into a mixed-use space, including a central retail hub and apartment units.

News 8 reached out to the Enfield Square mall’s representation but was declined for an interview.

Betting on Community Over Commerce

At The Shoppes at Buckland Hills, General Manager Justin Roberts is also giving the modern-day mall experience a second look.

“Malls themselves have had to change over the years. It’s not the same environment as the 90’s,” Roberts said. “What we’ve noticed is that many of the malls that are successful do have these third spaces, places to go, things to do. It generates a lot more foot traffic.”

In addition to offering national brands, small businesses are bringing unique offerings to customers. Roberts says he’s also leaning towards something online retail can’t replicate: More entertainment spaces to fill empty storefronts. Roberts says the mall has already had plenty of success with its tenant, The Funny Bone Comedy Club.

“Community theatres, roller rinks. Things for people to do and be involved in a community,” Roberts said. “We want welcoming third spaces.”

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Connecticut

‘It’s a neighborhood effort’: Improvements made to Quinnipiac River Park

Published

9 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

‘It’s a neighborhood effort’: Improvements made to Quinnipiac River Park

Neighbors who live in the Elm City’s Fair Haven neighborhood might notice a change of scenery at Quinnipiac River Park.

With city planning and a $250,000 state grant, the walkways were paved, water fountains were installed, and the riverbank was improved to prevent erosion.

It’s come a long way since the area was an industrial site in the 1960s.

“Decades and decades ago, this was a junkyard and it’s just shocking to see what is here now, this beautiful site,” New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said.

The area eventually became a park that saw a massive cleanup a few years ago. What was once a dump is now frequented by visitors young and old, on wheels and on four legs.

“I’d be the only guy running laps around ad now morning, night, afternoon, there’s people running, there’s people having picnics,” neighbor Eric Murray said.

Elicker said a nicer park with lighting and clean, open space can make visitors feel safe.

“People are less likely to engage in crime if they think that there’s a lot of people to witness and they could get caught,” he said.

The work isn’t done yet. Future plans include picnic tables, a new patio area and welcome gardens. The walkways will become a part of a trail that goes around Fair Haven, according to the mayor.

That requires more funding and the continued work of neighbors who have been keeping the park clean.

The Friends of Quinnipiac River Park take pride in maintaining the beauty here by planting flowers and trees, taking care of them in every season.

“I love planting, especially for the neighborhood,” Sadi Vidro, a member of the Friends of Quinnipiac River Park. “I saw the, the outcome of it and that’s what keeps me going.”

Some trees are decorated with a cross and a message that might stop you on your walk. One tree is planted in memory of Michael Caliz.

“Our friend Rita, this is a tree she planted in memory of her son and Rita comes back faithfully every year,” Tom Burwell, the founder of the Friends of Quinnipiac River Park, said. “She’s definitely has taken ownership in the tree and she’s become a staple. She’s been like a mom to us in the group as well.”

Phase one of the project is complete. Concept plans for phase 2 focus on the northern end of the park.

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Connecticut

Several beaches closed to swimming due to potential bacteria in the water

Published

19 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Several beaches closed to swimming due to potential bacteria in the water

Several Connecticut swimming areas are closed due to the potential of bacteria in the water.

The heavy rain over the past few days is the reason for the concern.

Swimming is prohibited at the West Beach at Rocky Neck State Park, Sherwood Island State Park, Silver Sands State Park in Milford, and Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth.

Water testing at those state parks will be redone on Wednesday with results back on Thursday.

Clinton has also suspended swimming and other water activities at its town beach until further notice. The beach remains open and all other amenities are available, according to the town.

There is no swimming allowed at all Stratford beaches until Friday, according to the Stratford Health Department.

The East Shore Health Department says beaches in East Haven, as well as Clark/Johnson Beach, Stony Creek, and Branford Point in Branford are also closed to swimming. Water samples are being taken on Wednesday and the results are expected on Thursday.

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Connecticut

Opinion: A lifeline in CT’s childcare desert

Published

1 day ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Opinion: A lifeline in CT’s childcare desert

by Michelle Gagliardi, CT Mirror
July 8, 2026

As Connecticut grapples with a persistent childcare crisis, parents are facing a perfect storm: years-long waitlists, skyrocketing tuition at corporate centers, and the grueling logistics of balancing a 9-to-5 with a rigid pickup schedule.

But while the public debate often centers on expanding massive commercial childcare centers, a quiet, deeply rooted alternative is keeping Connecticut’s working families afloat. It is called family childcare —licensed, professional early childhood care operated out of a provider’s home.

Far from a fallback plan, family childcare is increasingly the gold standard for parents seeking a blend of high-quality early education, financial sanity, and emotional peace of mind. For families navigating the Nutmeg State’s early childhood landscape, here is why choosing a home-based provider is a powerful, beneficial choice.

A true “home away from home” environment

For infants and young toddlers, the transition from a parent’s arms to a bustling commercial facility can be jarring. Large centers often feature bright fluorescent lights, high-density classrooms, and a rotating cast of staff members.

Family childcare offers the exact opposite: a cozy, familiar home environment. Children learn, play, and nap in spaces that feel like an extension of their own living rooms. This familiar setting significantly lowers stress levels for young children, helping them feel secure enough to explore, socialise, and learn.

Consistency of care (no staff turnover)

One of the most disruptive aspects of modern commercial childcare is staff turnover. Because of industry-wide low wages, center teachers frequently move on, meaning a child might have three or four different primary caregivers in a single year.

In a family childcare setting, the business owner is the teacher. Your child builds a deep, secure attachment to one consistent educator from infancy until they drop their backpacks off for kindergarten. This continuity of care is crucial for healthy emotional and neurological development in a child’s first 1,000 days.

Mixed-age groupings mirror real life

Unlike traditional centers that rigidly separate children by age into 12-month increments, family childcare homes naturally feature mixed-age groups. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers interact throughout the day.

This model offers profound developmental benefits:

For younger children: They learn language, social skills, and behavioral cues rapidly by watching and mimicking older peers.
For older children: They develop empathy, patience, and leadership skills by helping and looking out for the littler ones.
For siblings: Brothers and sisters can stay together in the same program, rather than being split up into different wings of a building.

Unmatched flexibility for working class families

Connecticut’s economy doesn’t just run on a traditional 9-to-5 schedule. Shift workers, healthcare professionals, first responders, and service industry employees are routinely left behind by corporate childcare centers that charge massive penalties if a parent is five minutes past a 5:30 p.m. closing time.

Home-based providers understand the realities of working families. Because they operate independently, many offer more flexible drop-off and pick-up windows, and some accommodate non-traditional hours or part-time schedules that commercial centers reject.

Financial sanity in a high-cost state

Let’s talk numbers. Connecticut routinely ranks among the top ten most expensive states for childcare in the nation, with center-based infant care averaging well over $18,000 a year.

Family childcare providers offer a much-needed financial breathing room. Because their overhead costs are lower —utilizing their own homes rather than renting commercial real estate— they are able to pass those savings on to parents. On average, family childcare in Connecticut costs 20% to 35% less than center-based care, without sacrificing licensing rigor, safety standards, or educational quality.

The state standard: Licensed family childcare providers in Connecticut are strictly regulated by the Office of Early Childhood (OEC). They undergo background checks, regular home safety inspections, and must meet the exact same core health, safety, and CPR training requirements as large-scale centers.

Elevating the profession

For too long, outdated stereotypes dismissed home-based providers as “babysitters.” Today’s family childcare providers are micro-entrepreneurs, early childhood experts, and community anchors. Many hold degrees in early education, participate in Connecticut’s Sparkler developmental screening initiative, and build robust, play-based curriculums tailored to individual children rather than a corporate mandate.

As state lawmakers debate how to build a more resilient care infrastructure, they must recognize that family childcare isn’t just an alternative —it is a cornerstone of the system. For Connecticut parents seeking community, affordability, and a nurturing environment where their child is truly known, the best choice might just be right down the street.

Michelle Gagliardi is leader of the CT Family Child Care Coalition.

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