Sen. Kissel Tours Revamped Somers Business [Enfield-Somers Patch]

June 8, 2012

Left to right: State Sen. John Kissel, Somers First Selectwoman Lisa Pellegrini, DEEP Commissioner Daniel Esty, State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi Credit Erin Quinlan

Article as it appeared in the Enfield-Somers Patch

In the not too distant past, the property at 58-60 Springfield Rd. in Somers was abandoned and in terrible disrepair. Today, the space is home to Knitting Criations and DG Graphics.

Last week, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Daniel Esty stopped by DG Graphics for a tour.

“We really do salute you,” he said. “In a world where small business is the engine of the economy, the fact that you’re thriving and that this is a beautiful space is a testament to progress and I feel more optimistic today than I did yesterday already.”

Esty said that he has seen many brownfield sites and this is the most beautiful. He talked about how people always talk about the potential of old buildings or sites.

“This is more than potential, this is fabulous,” he said. “This is really a wonderful space. I’m thrilled for you and it’s a special thrill to see an on the ground, realized success.”

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Somers First Selectwoman Lisa Pellegrini said that the site was abandoned, looked like a mess, and that it went through the town’s tax sale in September 2010. After the six-month redemption period, the property belonged to Dave Marti, and he moved his business in right after Hurricane Irene. She said the improvement is incredible.

“Imagining what it looked like then to what it looks like now, it’s just absolutely amazing,” Pellegrini said. “It takes everybody to just really work together and look at what you can do in just months. You can have a thriving business.”

State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi and State Sen. John Kissel were also on hand and congratulated Marti on his business.

Marti thanked everyone in Somers for the support and noted how the city government worked with him – as opposed to getting in the way, as some claim government does to small businesses.

“Somers is a great place to be a business,” he said. “I hope to someday live here too. It’s just great being here and it’s been an exciting project. A lot of people said I was crazy and I said, ‘Well time will tell, I’m either the smartest guy in Somers or I’m the dumbest guy in Somers. Since the tanks are out and it tested good out there, I think I’m the smartest guy.”

DG Graphics produce signs, banners, danglers, clothing, and other promotional items. For more information, check out the DG Graphics Web site.