Peddling Pablum The Innkeepers, 2011 For many locals, this movie will serve as an important historical archive of the Yankee Pedlar Inn. Located in Torrington, the grand old hotel is an iconic piece of architecture from an age that has long passed us by. The Inn has been shuttered since 2015 with scant promise of … [Read more...]
Bad Dog Brewing Company
Bad to the Bone Bad Dog Brewing Company, Torrington February 2022 There have been over 100 breweries in Connecticut for a few years as I write this in 2022. There had never been a brewery inside a museum - or a museum inside a brewery - in Connecticut before 2020. (I write that having no idea how true that … [Read more...]
Northwest Connecticut Fire Fighting Museum
Torr it Up Torrington (Google Maps location) February, 2022 There have been over 100 breweries in Connecticut for for a few years as I write this in 2022. There had never been a museum inside a brewery - or a brewery inside a museum - in Connecticut before 2020. (I write that having no idea how true that … [Read more...]
Five Points Art Gallery & Annex
Five Alive Torrington (Google Maps location) February 2022 "Downtown Torrington" isn't huge and it isn't a shopping or dining mecca these days. It's trying though, and it's doing a great job of it. New higher-end restaurants are popping up, new coffee shops and a hip used book store... a funky homemade fudge … [Read more...]
The Nutmeg Fudge Company
Oh @%##$! The Nutmeg Fudge Company, Torrington February 2022 We always hear that Connecticut's post-industrial cities are "on the cusp" of revival. Norwich, Hartford, Bristol, New Britain, Torrington... One "mixed use" project here, one factory converted to open concept lofts there... the cycle has been going on … [Read more...]
Howard’s Bookstore and Noelke Gallery
Howards End Howard's Bookstore and Noelke Gallery, Torrington February 2022 With used bookstores such rarities these days, I visit and write about some them on CTMQ if only because they'll likely be extinct by the time I die. Hoo boy, that was a rough lede. Sorry to bum you out. I'm sure some will … [Read more...]
Towne Tavern
Townee Bar Towne Tavern, Torrington February 2022 I'm bummed out. When I first put together my list of "true taverns" of Connecticut, there were maybe a dozen lone survivors. The tavern license was unique and wonderfully limiting. It allowed establishments to only serve lower alcohol beer and wine. No liquor, not … [Read more...]
Twin Colony Diner
Brave New World Twin Colony Diner, Torrington February 2022 Something just occurred to me. A lot of diners have the word "Colony" in their names. And I may just be obtuse, but I don't know why. There was White Colony Diner in Waterbury. The Blue Colony is going strong in Newtown. Colony Diner is slinging hash in … [Read more...]
Torrington Area Model Railroaders
HO-HO-HO! (Scale) Torrington Area Model Railroaders, Torrington December 2014 I went through a period in 2014 and 2015 during which I tried my best to take my sons to every model railroad display worth taking them to. A friend of mine is a big train guy and had been promoting this annual display at the Torrington … [Read more...]
CTMQ’s Guide to Torrington
Everything Torrington I’ve been exploring and writing about Connecticut since 2006. After a decade, I began compiling CTMQ guides for each town in the state. I plan on “completing” Torrington CTMQ-style... as well as the other 168 towns, cities, and boroughs in Connecticut. That is the ultimate goal of CTMQ. … [Read more...]