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news The Observer, Thursday, August 24, 20008
1
Long fanlily tradition propels Riccio
BYJESSICA SMITH 41'. recently purchased the former popularity come back full-scale. atmosphere, Riccio said. town and is raising a family in ·
Sta# SPh'ter - · -, Brennerk Furniture building and "I'm a big beliew:r m arong Proud of his passion for town. He's definitely been a key
"
Downtown Southington is 4 two adjoining properties at 44, commercial economic develop- downtown renovation, Riccio player in boosting tile area.
going through some major jk u. 50, and 52 Center Street. ment with planned open space," compared his enthusiasm to the Riccio said that his commitchanges
and Michael Riccio has * :...: "The reason we purchased Riccio said. '*The rwo go hand-in- excitement some feel toward ment probably stems from advice
been a key playen the properties was to get more hand in order to make a commu- sports. "I love it, I get excited he received early in life.
With a history of family involved in the Renaissance proj- nity grow properly." about it," Ricao said. "lt fasci- "My-dad always taught me
involvement in the downtown d.
ect," Riccio said. "I was getting Individuals have been nimed nates me to bring old things back that if you giVe.*o your communiarea,
it should not be too surpris-
..,
.. frustrated with the pace of prop- away from developing downtown to life. Ilove to bring beauty back ty, it'11 give back jto you ten-fold,"
ing to witness the passion Ricao erties getting redeveloped. I'm a properties because he, Florian, to things." Riccio said. "To be able to see the
feels for the center of toWn. strong believer that once you and Stenek felt the proposals "Mike's here to stay," Baker transformation in downtown -
Both sets of Riccio's grand- . have an idea in mind to go Out would not gel with th6 downtown said. *He started a company in there's nothing more rewarding."
parents lived in Southinmon fqi a -- and do it"
majority of their lives and 66 1 of The propeny at 50 Center Store's subcess *mritten in stone
hisprents, RslphwidRoth.were -e - ., Street had been vaurm -for six
raised in town as well. 8,1,ig,IM,19,/D11837BmwaRM years, but after being owned by The new generation of busl- Commerte and numerous civic personalities that drove the down- t
**My father was 1nvolved il ___ I theitio_for six weeks, itw:Is 100 npcces- r'n Air,-6 Main Street are .md fraternal organizanons. They town community and an indica- .
politics and th' town m gene"l" .. .4. tiC': St f».3 =1;t·to:2%141; ets:ituditms in =*2:; 3'221rAZS': '5-2:': ts,= Ii,tl ;ttz- 1
a developer and businessman,"
Riccio said. His father and his late MICHAEL RICCIO 'For Rent' sign in the window. decades to reinvent itself. But were not always popular with an area. Riccio's could have been ·
uncle, Vito, owned Ricciok Men's years on the board of directors at With the Renaissance proj- there are sm 211 reminders of days everyone, the Riccios' best inter- just another clothing store. On
Shop for 38 ypurf until its clocing
in July 1988.
the Greater
Chamber of
Southington
Commerce.
ect, Riccio is playing an irnportant
role m the first major renovawhen
Queen Street didn't ro 036est e was with the town in which
the knee-jerk reaction of rolling they were born and raised.
the surface, it was. But the people
who ran it and what theystood for
f
·
'*My brother and I spent our Presently, the Republican tion of the downtown area.
eyes or pursing lips. There are lit- So it is ironic that the demo- is what still brought a smile to i
Saturdays cleaning the store and remains an actne member of the .I'm really exated about it. tie hints of what it was like on a lition of the landmark Oxley faces of those who stepped over i
the property down there," Ria:io PZC and the Open Space My dad started it years ago with Friday night or a weekend after- Building, the centerpiece of the sidewalk engraving and :
said. Subcommittee. Riccio is also a my uncle, but ran into some polit- noon in downtown for those ofus downtown Southington for more remembered sidewalk sales, ;
His father is very proud ofhis member of the Republican Town ical problems," Riccio said. "I'm who weren'r rhere. than 100 years, was followed by Thursday night's extended store :
son. **He has a lot of enthusiasm Committee, and serves as chair- excited to havehim around to see While Gladchuk's, Tonfs the otherwise insignificam hours, and tile anticipation of see-_ 1 *
and is dedicated to keeping the man of the downtown it, since he starred it" Cash and Carry, DePaolo's, and removal of the sidewalk on North ing friends.
family name alive downtown," Renaissance project. According to Riccio, belng Ser:,fino's are among those that Main Street that included the New and refurbished build- :
said Ralph Ricao "He's hard- "When I think of commit- involved m real estate downtown carry the torch from past genera- engraving, 'Did You c* ings and long-awaited sidewalks :
working, a very smart fellow. and ment and volunteering in is also making the experience and tions, downtown now, for the Today? The phrpe was as syn- ill be a welcome addition to :
I wish him the best of luck with Southington, I thmk of Mike," changes more valuable to him most part, stands as a sad onymous with RaDE- and Vito's downtowul but developers and i
his involvement downtown. I said Renaissance prolect manager personally, and he sees the down- reminder ofwhat mails, a bustling business as any slo n associated business owners need to take a ;
think it's good." Mary Baker, who is also Ricao's town area becoming more niche- strip, or lack of interest can do. with McI)onalds fbr Coca Cola, lesson from the put and reciinthe t
Riccio graduated from the cousin. "He's similar to his father orientated in the future. While the buzz of construction Outside the laslof their store- warmth, spirit4 and personality of 1
University of Rhode Island in in the commitment to downtown, "By 'niche' I mean possibl crews ripping up roads and fronts, a few feet south of the the area no matter how much it is ·
1989, havIng studied business and their drive to succeed, and their more retail,- he explained. replacing sidewnlk is a sure sign chamber of commerce, the expected to change. That way, i
psychology. Involvement in the work ethic. "We're working on a niche right that the Ren91 ance project may engraving stood the test of time there will be some sentimentality ,
community has always been Baker also said that Riccio now, but I can't let it out of the be the most successful endeavor on a weathered, deteriorating over art engraved slogan for the 042
important to him as well. For rwo has been a large contributor to bag yet. We're really excited downtown has launched, the small sidewalk. next generation. 1
years, Riccio served as chairman the Renaissance project. He's about lt. It will be the only thing pieces of what the arca was once It was a silent reninder of the - Cbristopber M. Fortier 042
of the Planning and Zoning passionate about downtown. He's of its kind on the East Coast like are disappearing.
Commission (PZC), replacing got a great enthusiasm m boost- probably. lt's going to be a draw Before developer Mat Florian 0*'-Jl .F. B *4-V. B 1
veteran PZC member Carl ing downtown," she said. where people come back, from and all the others, there were the "*,* Lf- M*#fk -22612-te: 3:'I: 92
Verderame in 1997. Riccio, along with Mathew little kids to older people. We're Riccio brothers, Ralph and Vito. . -:,3. .0:4t/ :tr ,».
n
In addition, he spent four Florian and Dennis Stanek Jr., keeping our fingers crossed now. The twins were arguably two pil- ' 2 «i.19'i