You Say Amato, I say Amayto Amato's Toy and Hobby, Middletown November 2014 Amato's Toy and Hobby of New Britain closed at the end of February in 2022. I blame the terrible movie that was filmed there. Yes, there is an Amato's Toy and Hobby on Main Street in New Britain that has also been there forever. Yes, … [Read more...]
LEGO History Museum (Gone)
Studly LEGO History Museum, Enfield August 2018 CT museum visit #400, which is cause for a celebration! This museum was dismantled in 2020. By 2026, all Enfield LEGO business and employees will have moved to Boston. Alright, here's the deal. I worked at the LEGO North American headquarters in Enfield for a … [Read more...]
O’Reilly’s Irish Gifts (Closed)
O-Oh-No-O’Reilly’s! O’Reilly’s Irish Gifts, Farmington January 2018 O'Reilly's closed in September 2019 after 22 years in business. Aye, lasses and laddies! It's time for another visit to one of my favorite types of things I visit for this website! Surely some of you are wondering, “why is Steve devoting such … [Read more...]
Books by the Falls (Closed)
The Falls of Man Books by the Falls, Derby This place was absorbed by another business and then just sort of faded away. Nobody reads books anymore. Personally, I used to read maybe 30-35 books a year, but thanks to 2020 being the most insane timeline, I find myself staring at screens following the reality show … [Read more...]
The Hartford Gun Club
Bangin' The Hartford Gun Club Oldest Gun Club in America, East Granby & Windsor There are very few pages out of the (literally!) thousands here on CTMQ where I don't actually do the thing I'm writing about. This is one of those rare pages and I'm not even a little bit sore about it. Okay, maybe I am a … [Read more...]
Old West Suffield Post Office
Howdy Pardner West Suffield Post Office, Suffield I know that I'm the only one entertained by this, but I don't care. I found the rather unique font used at the post office in West Suffield funny. I know that's not actually funny. But let me be me. CTMQ's Libraries Post Offices, & Schools … [Read more...]
Pepperidge Farm Factory Outlet Store
Nothing Fishy Here Pepperidge Farm Outlet Store Bloomfield I'm writing a page dedicated to this place because it's kind of my honey hole. I love it. For those of us who live in the area and especially if we have kids, it's a wonderful secret spot. Frequent readers of CTMQ know that I don't mind exposing secret … [Read more...]
Getting Off (RIP)
Finished Getting Off, Winchester I regret to inform you that Getting Off has closed. Located next to Stop & Shop in Winsted, people can no longer shop at Getting Off. I never had the pleasure of shopping at Getting Off myself, so I can’t properly review what Getting Off is like, but this person on facebook … [Read more...]
The Scandinavian Gift Shop
Scandi Candi Ain't So Dandi The Scandinavian Gift Shop, Ellington April 2019 The shop moved to a new location in East Windsor in 2020 In April 2019 I totally planned to visit this place and write a page about it. In May 2019 I totally scrapped that idea because really, it’s just a store that sells stuff and … [Read more...]
Redscroll Records
DJ MacaDamian Nut Redscroll Records, Wallingford I know there are a few vinyl record shops that still exist around the state. Heck, I’ve already (sort of) profiled one in Vernon. And no, I think we agree that it is not part of this website’s mission to visit and chronicle them all. In fact, this will be the last … [Read more...]