Continuing our tour of the city, highlighting local businesses, we visit some establishments dealing in various interests.
Elm CIty Materials. – 7 Spring St. Driving by, you might (rightly!) figure that this business mainly caters to large-scale construction companies and road projects. But did you know they also sell landscaping materials at wholesale prices to individual homeowners looking to spruce up their properties? If you’ve been meaning to fill in an old pool or add some crushed stone to your driveway, this might be the season to get it done. Family owned and operated, Em City Materials has just passed its 10-year milestone since it was founded in 2011. They deliver, and also rent dumpsters online.
Some Things Fishy – 17 Kimberly Ave. West Haven’s one and only bait and tackle shop is family-owned and open for business. They have everything from frozen squid to fancy rods and reels, and will patiently answer any questions you may have about what’s biting locally these days. With warm days stretching into the Fall and some saltwater species available to catch year-round, you might enjoy adding this stop to your weekend routine as you plan much-needed R&R.
Budget Car Wash – 936 Boston Post Rd. This business has invested in some serious upgrades to give customers a luxurious experience at a budget price. New products (soaps, for example) give your car tender, loving care. As the season rolls towards winter, remember that road salt can be very damaging to the body and undercarriage. Happily, that’s nothing that Budget Car Wash can’t handle. Self-service and express versions available.
The advantages of staying close-to-home while meeting your household’s needs are obvious. Such errands conserve gas by lessening automobile usage and can more easily fit in between school pickups and various other activities in a busy lifestyle. However, shopping locally also benefits the entire community. Since local retailers return more money back into the local economy than a national retailer would, this means that when you spend in West Haven, more of your dollars stay here and benefit more people. Keeping our local busi nesses strong also fuels new employment and job opportunities. And we get to enjoy the colorful personalities, friendliness, skills and humor of the professionals who staff these establishments.
So tell us about any other gems you have found, remember these places when you have various needs, and above all, shop local this fall!