New Britain is City of Many Things
By Robin Vinci | Editor at May 7, 2024 | 6:15 pm | Print
This week the New Britain City Journal asked our Facebook group a couple of interesting questions about the City. We asked “Where do you see the future of New Britain going? What would you like to see its reputation become?”
New Britain has always been known as the Hardware City and although that moniker should always remain, according to most residents, the City has many things it could also be known for as well.
First in many people minds were arts and entertainment.
“We have amazing concerts at the shell in the summer,” said Haley Amber Belanger. “We have a well recognized Museum of Art, we have an amazing (as well as traveling) HS Marching Band/Concert Band/Pep Band, and an amazing (again as well as traveling!) and award winning HS Show Choir/Madrigal Singers.”
“Looking to the future and with a positive reputation established, I would like to see the focus on Arts and live Entertainment,” said Drue Signorelli. “It would be very sad for NB to get a reputation as ‘a great party town’ or ‘a ride thru drug city’.”
Scott Markiewicz said, “I would like to see New Britain as a “Destination City” in general. With arts/entertainment, medical, academic, industry as well as local small businesses working as one to make New Britain a place people want to visit.”
“I would love for New Britain to be a destination. Seems my whole life we went to the surrounding towns to spend our recreational time and money. That said, we have some areas that are great strengths - our parks, the museum, CCSU, Trinity on Main, the Hole in the Wall,” said Suzi Singleton. “I would love to see more support given to the arts. I also think that light industrial would be a good fit for our hardworking community. For me, New Britain needs to focus on more than one area to flourish and become a better community.”
Many feel first New Britain can still be the Hardware City or a business venture City.
“New Britain has potential! However, if we want to stay the industrial centerpiece of Connecticut, we need to pursue industries needed in the 21st century. One way to do this is through a better venture incubation set-up,” said Ken Haas. “Yes, New Britain has CCSU’s ITBD and CW Resources as venture incubators, but in what way does this make those businesses created in New Britain, stay in New Britain?”
“I would like for New Britain to be known as a city that “makes it.” And I don’t necessarily mean industry in the traditional sense, but I mean social industry. Most of the people in this city are very caring and driven, though they don’t always have the confidence,” said No’a Roche. “We have the will, we find the way. New Britain makes it better, makes it right, makes it happen, makes it meaningful. At least, most of the people in this city do. That’s, ultimately, why I stay. New Britain makes my day brighter, makes my life more interesting, makes my view of the world richer. Oh, yeah, yeah… “Hartford has it.” But it was made in New Britain, the City of Innovation.”
Many people also had interesting names the City may one day attain.
“City of parks and Chuches,” said Sue Fahey.
“New Britain - Traditions & Progress - where innovation thrives!,” said Sharon Beloin Saavedra.
Adrian Baron reminded people that Where to Retire Magazine named New Britain a ‘City of Tradition’.
Alderman Daniel Salerno added that New Britain is a City Of Diversity: in education, entertainment, economy, business, culture, generations, philosophy. The City of innovation, tolerance and ethics. It should be known for many things, not one, he said.
And Chris Duffy added one more positive thing in restaurants.
“Can’t forget that,” Duffy said. “Because we do have some awesome food in this city.”
