It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Fort Nathan Hale gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in New Haven, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work and truly cares about the people she is in contact with. She is dedicated, diligent, and is devoted to her job assignment. She not only takes care of my Mom, but she goes above and beyond her call of duty. Bessie has a unique ability to connect with every person she meets. No day goes by that my Mom is not pampered. Bessie make sure she's always comfortable. She makes exceptional meals for her 3 times a day, cleans her clothes, gives her showers, washes her hair and makes her look amazing every single day. Bessie is so beneficial to our family we can't imagine our family without her. I myself and my family members could never do what she does for our Mom. She has been with my mom and our family for almost 1 year and we don't know what we would do without her, she truly is a gift from God. She not only takes care of my Mom daily, nightly and weekly, she also takes care of her personal life and whatever life throws at her. She is a devoted caretaker and should be recognized with the utmost respect. Her dedication to improving the health and well-being of my Mom is commendable. You can't find anyone as special as she. Her life commitment has touched our lives through her delivery of exceptional care in a compassionate, respectful, and safe manner on a daily basis. She has become a member of our family and she has shown us the meaning of adaptability. Her strong faith in God, Forgiveness, and Believing in each other makes her the great person that she is. On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for the extraordinary care and services your company has provided to us. Thank you for all you do”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a few hours a week, they were very thorough in asking about my mother's condition, and what were the needs that were required. It's more like bathing, medication, and companionship. We used them for about a week.”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of Always Best Care for the outstanding service you have provided for our parents. ABC provided professional, first-class support that allowed our parents to remain in their home while relieving of us of concern for their care and is something we will never forget. You can be sure we will happily refer any family member or friend that is seeking care at home to Always Best Care.”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at home assisted by the caregivers from your company Always Best Care of Greater Bristol. This letter is a personal thank you from my father and the entire Ceuch family on how your caregivers treated and attended to my father during this time. The caregivers became part of our extended family who shared in countless family events resulting in beautiful lasting memories. Caregivers Frances Boateng, Jeremy Turner, and Yanice Hernandez were awesome in their care of my father. I want to especially acknowledge Francis as a person who went above and beyond his responsibility and became part of the Ceuch inner circle. It was not uncommon for Francis on his off days to stop by during a family picnic to say hello...he is truly loved by my father. Again, I want to thank you for the loving care your caregivers provided my father. I would highly recommend your company to anyone interested in having a caregiver attend to a loved one. Thanks again”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my step father, Daryl. It's unbelievable how the progression of his illness happened so quickly, however, Always Best Care was always ready to provide the level of care he needed as it increased. Most importantly, I'd like to thank his aide, Sue Malasics. She was wonderful to Daryl and took great care of his needs. I knew I did not have to worry with Sue there with him. She was always cooking wonderful homemade meals and desserts and I was happy to see how happy she made Daryl. I think she is a wonderful asset to Always Best Care. Should I know of anyone needing help in the future, I would recommend Always Best Care and Sue Malasics.”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure. My mother was also very demanding about her care and who she would allow into her home. After several attempts with various in-home care agencies my mother really responded well to Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater Bristol and we cant thank them enough for the high level of compassionate care they were able to provide during my moms final months.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal care assistant until placement in a quality skilled nursing facility became available. We reached out to home health care agencies in her local area but, by this point, had already worked with several agencies for med reminders for Barbara (and 24/7 care for our Mom in another area of CT) and were a bit skeptical that that we’d find one that could provide consistent quality of care.When I spoke with Rick Downey of Always Best Care Senior Services in Bristol, he conveyed both confidence in his knowledge of health care and empathy in understanding the frustrations that families experience when seeking quality care for their loved ones. We were next contacted by their care coordinator,Heather Kozikowski, who came to our sister’s home to conduct an assessment and further explain the services offered by Always Best Care.A further testament to the exceptional quality of Always Best Care is the service and care we’ve received after Barbara is no longer a client; our thanks to Always Best Care for the excellent care of our sister, and the peace-of-mind it afforded our family knowing that she was in such kind and competent hands!”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary caregiver for my husbamd/ My husband suffers from dementia and is aphasic. On a Saturday morning in October of 2015, a sudden change in my health required an emergent hospitilization, which late resulted in an extensive rehabilitation stay. Upon my hospitalization, my son reached out to Always Best Care Senior Services of greater Bristol. The Always Best Care team assessed my husband, his needs, and had his care staffed within hours of my son's call. The care provided to my husband has been exceptional. The caregivers as well as the office staff have been attentive to our needs and have met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to you and anyone who is in need of care for their loved one.”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company, Always Best Care, offered our family and especially the caring, loving attitude that Amber and Natalie displayed to Carol at all times. They were outstanding and you should be proud to place them in any situation with the full expectation they will represent your firm in a most professional manner. Thanks again for all your help.”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of care will be recommended to others. You went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting East Rock Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local ZINC New Haven or visit James Dwight Dana House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in New Haven, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in New Haven, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in New Haven, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Hundreds of employees at Yale New Haven Health have applied for early retirement as financial pressures mount in the hospital sector, a spokesperson for the five-hospital system confirmed this week.The system announced a “voluntary retirement program” in July, with the final number of buyouts yet to be determined, spokesperson Dana Marnane said.Ya...
Hundreds of employees at Yale New Haven Health have applied for early retirement as financial pressures mount in the hospital sector, a spokesperson for the five-hospital system confirmed this week.
The system announced a “voluntary retirement program” in July, with the final number of buyouts yet to be determined, spokesperson Dana Marnane said.
Yale New Haven Health and its hospitals ? Yale New Haven, Bridgeport, Greenwich, Lawrence + Memorial in New London and Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island ? are being impacted by low Medicaid reimbursements amid higher costs for labor, supplies and drugs, according to a statement.
“Now, more than ever, Yale New Haven Health must function with greater agility, efficiency and excellence in order to respond to these changing dynamics, allowing us to remain the provider of choice in Connecticut and beyond,” the system said in a statement. “In response to these challenges and in anticipation of further challenges, we have made a concerted effort to reduce expenses and align our workforce with our evolving needs while minimizing the impact on individual employees.”
The voluntary retirements come after a round of administrative layoffs at the health system in March.
Connecticut’s second-largest employer after state government, Yale New Haven Health employs more than 31,000 people at its hospitals and subsidiaries, Marnane said.
In its most recent financial filings as part of state bond issues, Yale New Haven Health reported $42.9 million in operating losses for the six months ending March 31, 2025, compared to a $62.2 million gain in the same period last year. The filing reported $36.9 million in losses from Bridgeport Hospital, along with $13.3 million in operating losses at Greenwich Hospital.
Income from “investments, donations and other” for the system fell from a $263 million gain in the six months ending March 31, 2024, to a $45.7 million loss in six months ending in March 31, 2025.
“Connecticut’s hospital margins remain highly depressed relative to the nation,” the Connecticut Hospital Association said in a statement on Wednesday, citing a standard measure of financial stability.
Connecticut hospitals have faced steeper increases in the cost of labor, drugs and medical supplies in recent years compared to neighboring New England states, according to a recent report sounding the alarm on rising expenses. Shortfalls at hospital systems related to patients’ loss of Medicaid coverage due to recent federal actions are expected to balloon in coming years.
“Without adequate support, continuous tough decisions will be unavoidable ? and they will be felt across the state’s entire health care delivery system,” the hospital association said.
In addition to structural stressors, Yale New Haven Health is also feeling the impact of its ongoing court battle with for-profit Prospect Medical Holdings over an aborted bid to buy three Connecticut hospitals, according to a recent filing in bankruptcy court.
Prospect, which owns Waterbury, Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals, sued last year after Yale New Haven Health pulled out of a purchase agreement alleging mismanagement that lowered the hospitals’ value. Yale counter-sued, and a judge last week ruled that the lawsuit can go forward in Connecticut district court.
“Not only is YNHH mired in uncertainty because of the pending litigation, but $411.5 million of YNHH’s cash has been set aside to cover any potential damages ? funds that YNHH could otherwise invest in delivering health care to patients,” the system stated in a bankruptcy court filing dated Aug. 4.
Yale New Haven Health has asked Judge Stacy Jernigan to officially transfer the case back to Connecticut courts, stating that a decision is near on the system’s request for a summary judgment that could swiftly resolve the lawsuit.
“If YNHH prevails, it will be free to walk away from the contemplated transaction, and the status quo will go unchanged,” the new filing states.
Prospect has blamed Yale New Haven Health’s withdrawal from the purchase agreement for pushing it into bankruptcy and argued in court that proceeds from winning the lawsuit could help pay off its debts.
NEW HAVEN — The relocated Elm City Market has closed its doors just about a month after it opened at 275 South Orange St. — and less than a month after its July 11 grand opening.Elm City ...
NEW HAVEN — The relocated Elm City Market has closed its doors just about a month after it opened at 275 South Orange St. — and less than a month after its July 11 grand opening.
Elm City Market CEO Kurt Luttecke confirmed Wednesday that the market closed in late July and was seeking new investors or a buyer to work with its landlord, Spinnaker Real Estate, in order to reopen.
"We'll know more by the end of this week or next week," Luttecke said.
About 14 employees received layoff notices, he said.
Luttecke attributed the closure to bad timing, after the build-out of the previously unused space took months longer than expected.
"I think the timing was a little bit off for us opening," he said, referring to the market opening in the midst of what traditionally is a slow summer season in downtown New Haven, which is heavily dependent on students.
"We should have opened a little earlier or probably a little later," Luttecke said. "Ultimately, the dead of summer is pretty challenging. In a perfect world, we would have opened last year. But we don't live in a perfect world."
Nevertheless, "we are where we are right now," Luttecke said. "I believe that good things may come out of it."
He said he "would certainly be involved in the transition and make sure that they were poised for success. I still believe in the location. I think it has potential, and Spinnaker has been a good partner," he said.
"Thank You for the Support – We’ve Closed" was the automatic message responding to a direct message sent to ECM's Facebook page.
"After many wonderful years of serving the community, our market has closed. We’re so thankful for your support, smiles, and loyalty over the years," the response continue. "We are maintaining the page for the time being but will not be responding to posts or comments. Thank You."
Spinnaker Real Estate built the building in which the market is located; the 200-apartment first of three buildings in Phase 1 of the Anthem Square 10, a mixed-use complex rising on the former site of the New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
But Spinnaker Vice President of Development Frank Caico didn't know for sure what the future of Elm City Market might be.
"I don't have a lot to offer," said Caico, who had initially believed that ECM's problems were temporary. "We were very excited to have them as a tenant. It obviously was a big boon for keeping them in the city. We're saddened if that (closure) is where this is headed. At this point, I really know much more than that ... It sort of came out of left field."
Elm City Market's closure, be it temporary or permanent, leaves the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant that is next to ECM along South Orange Street, as the only commercial business currently open in the building, Caico said.
Work is underway, however, to finish another ground floor space for Common Grounds, an outlet of the small, locally-owned chain of coffee shops, to open in the near future, he said.
Elm City Market's soft opening last month at the corner of South Orange and George streets marked its return after closing its original location at 360 State St. when the lease ran out last October.
Another grocery, Market 360, subsequently opened in late May in the former location. It is owned by independent grocers Kim and Chris Choe, who also own the Sharon Farm Market in Sharon.
Members of the city's Economic Development Administration team have spoken to Luttecke and offered to assist ECM. They are waiting to hear back from him, said Deputy Economic Development Administrator Carlos Eyzaguirre.
"Our concern is also with the employees who would lose their jobs if the store doesn’t reopen," Eyzaguirre said. "To that end, we are connecting with partners like the (Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce) and Workforce Alliance on a potential rapid response-type action, as we have in similar situations in the past, to help displaced workers obtain new employment quickly should the store remain closed."
The new Elm City Market is 3,000 square feet, down from 10,000 square feet in the original Elm City Market at 360 State St., Luttecke has said. It offered free street-level parking in an adjacent lot off State Street.
Mark Zaretsky is a reporter with the New Haven Register. Zaretsky is a Chicago native and longtime New Haven resident and an award-winning reporter and music writer for the New Haven Register and Hearst Connecticut Media Group. His beats include East Haven and Branford, regional issues and occasional blues and roots music stories. He also makes a point of knowing where all the good ethnic and hole-in-the-wall restaurants, bars and bakeries are -- and is an unapologetic Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks and Bulls fan. In addition to his work as a journalist, Zaretsky is a front man for The Cobalt Rhythm Kings and The Chicago Dawgs and occasionally performs with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Mark Naftalin and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
New York City thrift pop-up market Thrift 2 Death will host a pop-up event in New Haven on Aug. 30.The thrift market will bring an outdoor street market...
New York City thrift pop-up market Thrift 2 Death will host a pop-up event in New Haven on Aug. 30.
The thrift market will bring an outdoor street market and block party to 77 Audubon St., offering vintage and Y2K clothing and accessories to shoppers. All items will be $50 or less, and there will be options for $5-10 bins or $25 to fill a bag, according to Thrift 2 Death's Instagram page.
Shoppers will also be able to enjoy live music at the event, including music from Connecticut bands and DJs. Thrift 2 Death will also be giving out free drinks from organic drink brand Yerba Madre as part of its sponsorship deal with the drink brand.
The event will run from noon to 5 p.m. and entry is free.
In addition to New Haven, the New York City-based thrift pop-up will also have stops in Philadelphia and Providence, Rhode Island, as part of its "City 2 City" thrift market tour.
Thrift 2 Death was started by Treysaun McGeachy and Christian Neils in 2021. The duo have held pop-up events throughout New York City and Brooklyn.
McGeachy and Neils created the thrift pop-up concept to "create a diverse, positive and collective space where people can support each other," according to Thrift 2 Death's Instagram page.
Over 40 vendors will be at the event, according to McGeachy. Vendors in Connecticut who "sell anything unique," including vintage clothing, food, art or jewelry, are also able to apply to participate in Thrift 2 Death's event, according to its Instagram page. The deadline to apply is Aug. 13.
Who doesn't love comfort food? Connecticut die-hards certainly do....
Who doesn't love comfort food? Connecticut die-hards certainly do.
The Constitution State has a lot of local eats that just hit that special spot. An order of a fried soft shell crab with a cold beer or a slice of apizza mean so much more than just satisfying your hunger. Eating them can feel like home.
As part of Reader's Digest's America the Tasty 2025: Comfort Food from Every State list, the publication said that one Connecticut dish in particular signals that type of comfort more than anything else.
"See if you agree with your state’s pick … or find a new personal favorite on this list," Reader's Digest said.
Here's what Reader's Digest picked for the most iconic comfort food in Connecticut.
Clam pizza was named Connecticut's top comfort food by Reader's Digest because of how unique it is to the state as well as the reputation that New Haven-style pizza has cultivated across the country.
"Driving into Connecticut, you might spy signs welcoming you to the nation’s pizza capital. While the status is self-appointed, Nutmeggers are known for their New Haven–style “apizzas,” which are distinctively thin and chewy—and almost always in the oven at the state’s two most famous apizza joints, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and Sally’s," Reader's Digest said about clam pizza.
New Haven, Connecticut, is one of the first places in the United States where pizza flourished, as Italian immigrants, like Frank Pepe, came into America and made their traditional tomato pies in bakeries, where they would make their gradual transition into the savory pies we know today.
Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana has spread across the country, from Massachusetts and Rhode Island to Florida and Virginia. However, you find the original location at 157 Wooster St. in New Haven, Connecticut.
If you're feeling skeptical about eating seafood on a pizza, there is a history.
While pretty much localized just to New England, clam pizza is a popular dish that was cultivated inside Pepe's New Haven bakery in the 1960s, usually done as a white pizza, according to Time Magazine.
If you're wondering how it tastes like, the culinary website Eater said that you could go to any New Haven pizzeria worth its salt could make you a good one but Pepe's makes the best.
"A combination of clams, with grated aged cheese, and garlic atop a thin crust is at the top of its game when paired with their smoky bacon," Eater said.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].
NEW HAVEN — For years, Ashley Bailey, a 32-year-old New Haven native, has loved the idea of someday buying and living in her own home — and of building wealth over time and someday passing that on to her daughter, London Rogers, now 13.What she didn't know when she first got involved with Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven w...
NEW HAVEN — For years, Ashley Bailey, a 32-year-old New Haven native, has loved the idea of someday buying and living in her own home — and of building wealth over time and someday passing that on to her daughter, London Rogers, now 13.
What she didn't know when she first got involved with Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven was that the beautiful, historic home on Howard Avenue in the Hill section that NHS eventually would fix up and help her buy actually was the same house she lived in for a few months when she was just a few months old.
But amazingly, her dream of buying it has now come true — and the house, which stood vacant for decades in between, has been totally restored to its former beauty in advance of her moving in.
On Tuesday, Bailey was introduced as the formerly long-vacant and abandoned house's new owner at a ribbon-cutting, where she was joined not only by NHS officials but Mayor Justin Elicker, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. and her father, David Bailey, 56 — who as a young man of 23 rented an apartment in the house with his father.
Ashley Bailey, who was too young at the time to remember living in the house, quickly found out about the connection — just as soon as she told her father and stepmother, Sherry Bailey.
"I mentioned it to my dad and they told me, 'That's the house that we lived in when you were a baby,'" Ashley Bailey explained as friends, NHS staffers and city officials toured the house, which Ashley will live in on one floor and rent apartments on the other two floors to tenants.
How does she feel about it?
"I feel accomplished," said Bailey, who grew up in New Haven, living mostly in the Dwight neighborhood, and now works in retail for Yale University. "This is like a long-time dream for me."
What she has learned along the way is, "I think it's important to instill in your kids the importance of owning things ... especially in the African American community."
David and Sherry Bailey, who now live in Oxon Hill in Prince George's County, Md., are proud of what Ashley has done — and knew immediately which house she was hoping to buy, just as soon as she told them the address: 470 Howard Ave.
"She's been trying to buy this house" for several years, said David Bailey, who was about 23 years old when he moved into an apartment in the house with his father, the late Walter Timothy Bailey II, a World War II veteran who in 2011 laid a wreath during a Veterans Day ceremoney at the World War II Memorial Freedom Wall in Washington D.C.
Just as amazingly, longtime Neighborhood Housing Services Executive Director Jim Paley said this isn't the first time someone working through NHS has bought a house they lived in as a child.
That also happened about six or seven years ago with a house on Sherman Avenue, Paley said.
The house Ashley Bailey bought on Howard Avenue, built in the early 19th Century, was a vacant and abandoned former rooming house for more than two decades before NHS, via general contractor Anthony Micarelli, began fixing it up.
It wasn't cheap. It took a total of about $1.3 million, much of it from grant funds, including from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, NeighborWorks America, HOME Investment Partnerships and federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant funds distributed through the city, officials said.
Bailey bought it for $350,000, using forgivable loans, low-interest loans, zero-interest loans and other forms of down payment assistance. As part of the process, she took advantage of free NHS homebuyer education courses — and received a total of $94,250 toward down payment and closing costs.
"Obviously, the purchase price was only a small portion of the cost," said Paley.
Projects like this one are important, however, because "we need homeownership to be able to balance out and provide stability" in neighborhoods where many houses these days are bought up by large corporate landlords, Paley said.
NHS also helped a woman who lives next door buy her houses more than three decades ago, and almost 31 years later, she still owns and lives in it, he said.
Keith Getter of NeighborWorks America, NHS' parent company, congratulated Ashley Bailey and her family and said, "It is an honor to be here ... We believe that every person deserves a healthy and safe place to live."
But "let's remember that the true value of this building is as a home, not just as numbers," Getter said.
Other speakers included Blumenthal, Elicker, Kathleen Amonte of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Robert Michalik of CHFA and Bridgette Russell, managing director of the NHS HomeOwnership Center.
"This is a gorgeous place," said Michalik, who said Bailey will enjoy both new freedom and wealth-building in her new home.
Blumenthal said "it takes a team to do this fantastic kind of a project. It really is a monumental achievement for the team and the family ... Your first home — it's the American dream."
That said, "We're in a perfect storm. We're in a tough fight," where "homeownership is increasingly out of reach because of increasing national debt and other issues, including lingering discrimination, Blumenthal said.
Elicker congratulated both NHS and the family, telling NHS officials, "the city looks dramatically different because of what you do."
Projects like the one on Howard Avenue are "what generational wealth are all about," he said.
The house "is beautiful inside," after being "an eyesore on the neighborhood" for "at least 20 years, Elicker said.
Russell said that what NHS does "is not just about getting someone in a house. It's about positioning them to be successful," which is why things like budget and credit coaching are so important.
860-261-4405
