As a business owner on the Green, I get lots of questions, and not all are related to books! When I first opened my doors, the questions I got were usually about the then recent fire that closed the ice cream shop next door to my store. Who is going in there? Is it an ice cream shop? Do you know when they will reopen? And no, I knew nothing then, and I still know nothing about what is happening with the ice cream shop.
In hopes of quieting some of the rumors circulating about what’s happening with all of the businesses on the green, I did a little investigating and spoke with some of the other owners here. In addition to Paradise Green questions, we have the recent news of Aldi’s opening a store here in Stratford. And then there are the trees being cut for various reasons. Well, let’s break it all down.
Trees: On River Road, opposite Boothe Park, a cluster of trees were taken down. When I first saw that, I was mortified. Then I was confused, because what building could possibly fit there? Maybe it’s an apartment building. I was wrong. It was the United Illuminating Company’s work of clearing transmission lines along River Road.
Aldi’s: In 2025, the Zoning Commission approved the bid for Aldi’s to build a grocery store at Stratford Shopping Center on Barnum Cutoff. And here we are one year later, but what’s happening? I spoke with Jimmy Capra, Director of Economic Development for the Town, who provided an update: “DEEP just approved their Landfill Disturbance Permit, which was at a standstill for quite some time.” It is unclear how long it will be until Aldi’s opens their doors in Stratford’s Shopping Center, but Jimmy will continue to update us both here in future issues of the Stratford Crier, and perhaps at the Neighborhood Association Meetings too!
The former Rite Aid: Alas, what’s going into the former Rite Aid location? At the time of writing this article, a call was unreturned by the owner of the Rite Aid space. I hope to share an update with you soon, neighbor.
Former Clough’s Hardware Location: I did speak with Andy Tsichlas, who, along with his brother Jimmy Tsichlas, co-own Paradise Pizza and the old Clough’s Hardware location. When asked about what is happening with the spaces they own, Andy said, “We continue to renovate the inside of the former hardware store. We’ve gutted it. It will take time to get occupants in. We want to make the right decision for Stratford as to what goes in that space.”
Even with Rite Aid closed down and no ice cream shop, there are still plenty of fun and interesting locally owned shops to explore—a delightful tea room, a fantastic consignment shop, cooking classes, a flower shop, a delicious bakery, a shop with all your pet’s needs, and so much more—including a book store! Come and see us! And let us know what else would bring you to Paradise Green for shopping—we’d love to hear from you.
That’s the Paradise Green Business roundup for now. There are big dreams and great potential for Paradise Green and its future, in addition to the whole of Stratford.
It is Eversource, not UI doing the construction on River Road.
Thanks for the update! Would love another Ice cream shop to move in and a small market in the Rite Aid spot would be welcome.