Watch: Little Things Mean A Lot – Officials Herald Grand Opening Of Convenience Store, Gas Station, Car Wash In East End

It started with an annual Bangladeshi picnic at Seaside Park organized by City Councilman Alfredo Castillo on behalf of his friend Newington, CT-based developer Nurul Alam  who became so connected by the charm of the waterfront destination that he wanted to helm an economic development project in the city.

Intros to the mayor, development officials and then entrepreneur Bobby Christoph who has recaptured the city’s waterfront with retail, housing, full-service marina, commercial boat service facility, Bass Pro Shops, restaurants and now a Marriott under construction at Steelpointe Harbor annexing the East Side and East End.

Little things can add up to bigger things. The neglected East End lacked a gas station, car wash and convenience store. It also lacked a bank that was addressed by a branch opening this year by M&T Bank on nearby Stratford Avenue. For years the district’s City Council members Eneida Martinez and Ernie Newton had impressed upon Christoph the urgent need to fill those voids.

Thursday morning, along Seaview Avenue, Mayor Joe Ganim, Congressman Jim Himes joined other local officials and business leaders to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of Steelpointe Foodland that also includes a car wash and service station employing 30 residents from the local area.

The new facility offers a range of services and amenities designed for residents, commuters, businesses and visitors to Steelpointe Harbor, including:

• 24-hour convenience store offering hot food, beverages and a full selection of market items.

• Gasoline and truck fueling, with the capacity to fuel up to 17 vehicles simultaneously.

• Electric vehicle charging stations, accommodating up to six vehicles at once.

• 24-hour public restrooms and washroom facilities.

• Indoor and outdoor seating for customers and visitors.

• On-site car wash services.

• Additional retail offerings, with a Dunkin’ Donuts location in development and additional tenants anticipated.

State Senator Herron Gaston called the development a “renaissance of hope.”

East End NRZ leader Keith Williams declared  a revitalized East End as the “center of the tracks.”

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Afterwards dozens of local residents and dignitaries tracked into Foodland for a peak of the offerings as well as a deep dive into the crispy and tasty fried chicken.

Municipal development official Max Perez noted he had read an OIB story about the infectious taste of the fried chicken.

“You weren’t kidding!”

Yes, little things mean a lot.