Business

‘I’m Going To Miss Coming Here’: Longtime Customers Visit Baskin Robbins on Final Night

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After more than a half-century in business, Baskin Robbins closed Saturday night after a New Canaan woman put in for a last paid order—a small peanut-butter-and-chocolate milkshake. Gretchen Russell had entered the Main Street ice cream store with husband Stephen moments before 10 p.m., when beloved longtime owner Anna Valente-Krolikowski locked the door for the final time. “It’s sad,” said Russell, née Gretchen Meyer, a 1978 New Canaan High School graduate who has patronized Baskin Robbins all her life. “It’s sad to see Anna go. It’s sad to see something we’ve known for so long go.

Anna Valente-Krolikowski

Baskin-Robbins To Close; Longtime Owner Retiring

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Baskin-Robbins, a mainstay of downtown New Canaan for more than a half-century, will close Dec. 28, its owner said. A lease renewal on the Main Street commercial space has triggered a franchise agreement-required remodel that’s cost-prohibitive, according to Anna Valente-Krolikowski, owner of the popular ice cream shop since 1992. It’s a bittersweet moment for the town native, who said she’s looking forward to retiring (“I’m hanging up the scoop”) and starting a new chapter, though she’s “loved” forging lifelong relationships with workers and customers at Baskin-Robbins. “Listen, am I excited because I think I need a break?

Baskin-Robbins

Podcast: Remembering New Canaan’s Mikey Czech

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This week on 0684-Radi0, our free weekly podcast (subscribe here in the iTunes Store), we talk to Steve Czech, who in 2008 co-founded the Mikey Czech Foundation with his wife, Jennifer, as their son, Mikey, battled an aggressive and incurable brain tumor that would take his life on Sept. 7 of that year. This week’s podcast is sponsored by Baskin Robbins. Friday, Sept. 6, is “11-Cent Scoop Night” at Baskins, an annual tradition to honor Mikey Czech’s memory, courtesy of Steve and Jennifer Czech.

Around Town

Annual Fishing Derby Set Postponed to April 27 at Mill Pond [UPDATED]

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Update Thursday April 18

Due to expected poor weather, the Fishing Derby has been postponed to Saturday, April 27 at Mill Pond. Original Article

One of New Canaan’s most unique and beloved community events is set for Saturday morning. 

Registration for the New Canaan Annual Fishing Derby will start at 8 a.m. at Mill Pond, with the derby running 8:30 to 11 a.m., organizers say. Held in memory of George Cogswell, a former New Canaan Police officer, the free Fishing Derby has been held each year—primarily at Mill Pond—since the 1980s. “It’s been going on for so many years, people just know about it and it’s something kids do with their dad,” said Jenny Esposito, president of the Kiwanis Club of New Canaan, an event sponsor. “It brings the townies together and it’s just really sweet, with the police, the firemen, the town, the Chamber.”

The pond will be stocked with 370 pounds of rainbow trout and prizes are awarded for participants 15 and younger in categories such as first boy and first girl to catch a fish, largest fish caught and smallest fish caught.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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The town on May 11 received an application for the owner of the Huguette Clark estate on Dan’s Highway to build a tennis court on the 52-acre property. The 120-by-60-foot court will cost $98,750 to build. The contractor on the job is Oval Tennis Inc. of Somers, N.Y., architect Frangione Engineering LLC of New Canaan. ***

Congratulations to New Canaan High School senior lacrosse player Nick Crovatto, who broke a longstanding Rams record Monday in a game vs. Trumbull with his 676th faceoff win.