New Ownership at 33 Danbury Rd. Means ‘Goodbye’ for Longtime Wilton Businesses

The storefront tenants at 33 Danbury Rd. have operated their businesses there for decades. But in mid-May, right before the sale of the property became official, the longtime Wilton business owners were given only six weeks to vacate the building, leaving them and their customers alike scrambling to tie up loose ends and figure out next steps.

A representative of the building’s new owners, a consortium of individuals operating under the name Chel Associates, LLC, said they are planning to completely renovate the property and attract higher-end retailers. 

The community first heard about this development when Wilton resident Kristine Getty posted about it on social media. Getty has been a longtime customer of Kimly Plong, the owner of Alpha Cleaners, and was upset when she first heard that Alpha Cleaners would be forced to close its doors.

“I have been a customer of Kim’s for over 16 years. She is such a wonderful lady and I was just heartbroken for her and wanted to help as best as I can,” Getty told GOOD Morning Wilton.

Plong, who started operating Alpha Cleaners out of 33 Danbury Rd. in 1991,  is not the only business owner being affected by the sale of the property. Gordon Flash, the owner of Gateway Art and Framing, is now trying to find a new location for his business after being a tenant at 33 Danbury Rd. since 2008.

It’s not without challenges, of course, and Flash explained how difficult finding a space in Wilton can be for small business owners, citing “astronomical rents.” He also spoke about how the short window to find a new home for Gateway Art and Framing is a big stressor, and that it might force him to settle in a location that isn’t a good fit for his business.

“If it’s not a good fit, does your business die?” Flash asked.

Flash said he’d known for months that the prior landlord was looking to sell the building, but he assumed that he would have been given an earlier warning. He had also assumed — incorrectly, as it turns out — that current tenants would have been given the option to stay, even with a rent increase, but he was later informed that the new owners had assumed the current tenants wouldn’t be able to afford the higher rents.

“If I had known I would have already been looking,” Flash said.

‘Heritage Hobbies’ has been in the same location at 33 Danbury Rd for 40 years. Rocco Costango has been the store’s owner since 2005. He said the new owners eventually did give him the option to return after their planned renovations, but he was told the rent for the building would be almost doubling, making it impossible to stay.

Constango said that he “didn’t want it to end like this” but the change would allow him to “retire a few years early.” He considered trying to find another location or to return after renovations, but the task just seemed too daunting.

“I’m pushing 74, I’m not gonna go through that process again,” Costango said, adding that there are no other stores like his around for miles and that many of his customers are upset to see him go. “They’re really going to miss it.”

“Like Family”

Flash spoke fondly about the community the tenants of 33 Danbury Rd. have built over the past several decades. He said they’ve come to rely on each other, even exchanging keys to each other’s businesses, and that their mutual trust has been integral to the survival of their businesses.

“I remember when my son was born, I ran to Rocco for help with a delivery I was going to miss.” Constango echoed the sentiment, saying that the business owners at 33 Danbury Rd. are “like a family.” 

Tommy Febraio, the leasing consultant for the new owners, explained their vision for the space. He listed redoing the parking lot, freshening the building’s exterior, adding new windows, installing an elevator and renovating the inside as part of the new owners’ wishlist.

“The people who bought this property are making a good-sized investment in the area,” he said, adding said that the new owners are currently working with the town to determine what exactly they are allowed to do on the property, but that construction was going to start as soon as possible. 

The current tenants were given a few extra weeks to wrap up business and they now have until the end of July to leave and are in the process of moving. Alpha Cleaners’ Plong is urging her past customers to come by and pick up any clothes or other items that they have left there. She has already paid her service providers for the orders and is financially on the hook for anything customers do not pick up. Anything that is not picked up by the end of July will likely be sold or donated.

Plong also said she is considering finding a job elsewhere, but she has not decided exactly what her next steps will be. But, she said she was grateful for her loyal customers. “I’m just thankful for all of their business all of these years.”

Costango had a similar message of appreciation. “My customers have been great to me. Thank you for supporting me,” he said. Heritage Hobbies is currently offering an ‘everything must go’ sale on its stock of rockets, tools, toys and crafts, and Costango asked that any community members who wish to support him can come purchase his remaining merchandise. 

Unlike Costango and Plong, Flash will be continuing to run his business: “I’m not going anywhere, I’m just going to relocate. Telephone and email will be the same, address will be different. I have more to do.”

Flash asked that those who wish to support him patronize his business after the move, or stop by to see what services he can provide. His new address will be updated on his website after he finalizes his decision.