Let Me Tell You a... Storyteller’s Cottage, Simsbury June 2018 Storyteller's Cottage, my 391st Connecticut museum, closed in September 2020 - a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. This business still operates an online and events model in 2024. ... Story. The Story of why this place deserves a place on CTMQ’s … [Read more...]
Fake Bank Door
Not a Door, but a D'Oh! Farmington Bank’s Fake Door, Burlington You are a bank robber. Desperate times and all of that. As you drive down route 4 through Burlington towards Canton and gawk at the large pink house on the right (home of the town’s historical society), you take note of the lovely colonial that … [Read more...]
Putnam DMV
Weird DMV Office Putnam You may question the inclusion of Putnam’s Department of Motor Vehicles satellite office on the esteemed pages of CTMQ. But c’mon. How could I not memorialize this anti-edifice here? I’m fascinated by it. You see, it’s a trailer. An important state of Connecticut office … [Read more...]
Horse Ridge Cellars
Not Horsin' Around Horse Ridge Cellars, Stafford July 2017 Since this site is mostly read by Connecticutters, I'll assume most of you are familiar with Horse Ridge Cellars. After all, Connecticut is "the richest state in the country," and Fairfield County is one of "the richest counties in America." Spoiler … [Read more...]
Prospector Theater
This Place is Gold! Prospector Theater, Ridgefield June 2016 & 2017 What could possibly make me and my family drive all the way out to the center of bustling Ridgefield for a kid's movie? Two years in a row? A Smith-Magenis Syndrome Research Foundation fundraiser of course! Why would the SMSRF have a … [Read more...]
American Woolen Company
Wake Up, Sheeple! American Woolen Company Stafford Springs I contacted American Woolen Company a couple times but never received a response. In fairness, I didn’t really pursue them because, well, when it comes to CTMQ articles, ones about moderately interesting businesses that don’t involve food or drink don’t … [Read more...]
New England Jukebox and Collectibles (Closed)
A Real Juke Joint New England Jukebox and Collectibles Vernon This store closed in the fall of 2021 and reopened as Paul's Boutique Records, which no longer has jukeboxes or pinball machines, and therefore is no longer CTMQ-worthy. Longtime readers know by now that I have a rather loose definition of what a … [Read more...]
Smith-Worthington Saddlery
Giddy Up! Smith-Worthington Saddlery, Hartford As far as America goes, Connecticut is pretty old. This has its plusses (history out the wazoo!) and its minuses (industry has flown the coop). However, here and there around the state, some old businesses still exist. Still doing what they’ve always done - … [Read more...]
269. Highland Package Beer Can Museum
Yes I Can! Waterbury (Google Maps location) June 7, 2014 Some museums take hours to enjoy. Some take five minutes. The Beer Can Museum, located along the upper walls of the Highland Package Store in the Town Plot section of Waterbury would be the latter. Before I delve into my amazing experience at this … [Read more...]
Stew Leonard’s
"The World's Largest Dairy Store," Stew Leonard's Stew Leonard's Dairy Store, Newington March 2012 I realize I will sound like a crank for the next five minutes of your lives, but I don't care. It's true I don't enjoy grocery shopping, but I really don't hate it either. It's just something I have to do every few … [Read more...]