Home Care In Bristol, CT

There was a good chance a Bristol bakery was going to have to close its doors for good Monday because of a decline in business, in part, the owners believe, because of their public support of LGBTQ rights.

But the Bristol community and beyond came through for Bakery on Maple owners Erika and Dave Landi and love won on many fronts.

The Landis aren’t out of the woods financially yet, but on Monday they were back baking and smiling at 105 Maple St.

A longtime cake customer last week spread a Facebook message that the bakery was in financial trouble and needed support immediately.

Customers showed up in droves from around the state Saturday to buy their baked goods.

There was surprisingly a line outside when the Landis opened Saturday and the bakery sold out in an hour and 20 minutes.

They closed for a short time to bake more, reopened at noon and sold out in another 45 minutes.

After that they took orders to be picked up or delivered Sunday.

Supportive customers helped, bringing pizza, coffee and change for the staff.

“We were shocked – really blown away,” said Dave Landi noting the support felt as important as money.

“This was a great boost. We’re not begging for money, we’re begging for you to order from us.”

In a few days, a GoFundMe set up by the same customer had raised $3,845 of a $10,000 goal.

“We’ve put everything we have into the business,” and they are making changes with hopes of continuing, Landi said.

The hours for the bakery, open three days a week, have been changed from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dave Landi said there’s been a huge drop in retail traffic and so with the high and ever-changing price of ingredients, coupled with labor issues, combined factors hurt the business financially. They opened in 2021.

He and Erika attribute part of that decline to being outspoken supporters of the LGBT community and other social justice issues .

Soon after they opened there was rally in Bristol about a block away promoting “traditional” marriage and the Landis put it out there that they had rainbow cupcakes, Landi said.

He said they also have a large PRIDE flag in the window, sell rainbow cupcakes, and have “Everybody’s Welcome Here,” sign.

Erika Landi said she thinks some customers just “kind of forgot about us,” because they’re such small business owners. Hopefully, she said, people will keep coming back. After last weekend, they’re “above water,” she said.

Bristol Democratic Town Chairman Ken Rasmussen-Tuller, who is married to a man, with whom he has three children, said the couple has a lot of support from the LGBTQ community and fabulous baked goods. Rasmussen-Tuller, a regular, said he recently even planned a whole meal around the bakery’s garlic bread.

“We very much appreciate the Landis’ support of our community and we appreciate we have a safe place to go,” he said. “It was very touching to see Bristol turn out for them over the weekend. I’d hate to see them have to close the doors.”

Dave Landi said that although he and Erika always believed in equality, as former health care workers, it was heavily stressed to treat people equally. Prior to opening the bakery, he was a paramedic and she an emergency department technician.

“We just want people to know we accept them here,” he said. “My personal opinion is it’s only political if you make it political.”

Dave Landi said part of the decline could also be that he ran for City Council recently on a platform of equality and compassion.

The organizer of the groundswell to save the bakery was small business owner and nurse Danielle Bender, who has been ordering all her cakes from Erika Landi for 12 years — since way back when Landi baked at home with a cottage industry license.

Bender said the Landis give tons to all segments of the community and “I thought it was only fair to help her like she’s helped us.”

Bender isn’t sure how much the LGBTQ support has to do with the business decline, but she said the couple has, “Definitely created a safe space for anyone who’s LBGTQ friendly.”

She called the couple’s baked goods, “To die for,” and was told by a man waiting in line Saturday that he comes all the way from Greenwich for the croissants and pastries after living in France.

The bakery, which calls itself an “artisanal microbakery” doesn’t have as much selection as typical bakeries, but customers can order any dessert that’s not available, including those that are vegan and gluten-free.

They carry specialty cakes, cookies, cupcakes, pastries, breads and croissants.

“I just hope people continue to support her baked fresh daily and custom made to order products,” Bender said. “I’m overwhelmed with the support Bristol has shown her.”

In a plea on Facebook last week, Erika wrote: “We need a huge Saturday and Sunday here because it may be the last.”

She went on to write: “I’m thoroughly disappointed that I have to share this but, the bakery may be closing on Monday. I have given everything I have and owned to making this dream sustainable and while the recent changes have helped and put us on a path to being sustainable without financial help we cannot continue to operate.”

On the LGBTQ front, she wrote on Facebook, “I have also used my bakery’s platform to stand with and support the LGBTQ community even though it’s cost me customers and revenue, I still stand with them because they deserve that.”

She wrapped it up with, “And if this is the end of my journey I want you all to know that I love everyone of you! Including those who weren’t happy with me or my work because it made me better. I wish you all the joy and happiness in the world!”

Living in Bristol, Connecticut, encapsulates a fusion of community pride, sports enthusiasm, and a cozy suburban lifestyle. In central Connecticut, this city thrives on a tight-knit community spirit combined with a range of urban amenities, picturesque parks, and a charming downtown area which offers a balanced lifestyle. So whether you’re searching for apartments in Bristol, homes for sale, or want to learn more about what Bristol is known for, this Redfin article will be your guide.

1. ESPN headquarters

Bristol is known globally as the headquarters of ESPN, the prominent sports entertainment network. The city proudly hosts the sprawling ESPN campus, a hub for sports broadcasting, where innovative programming and coverage of various athletic events are produced. ESPN’s presence in Bristol solidifies the city’s identity as a prominent center in the sports media world.

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Every year, Bristol hosts the Mum Festival, a beloved event celebrating the city’s heritage as the “Mum City.” This festival boasts a parade, carnival rides, live music, and diverse food vendors, drawing the community together while attracting visitors from far and wide.

3. Manufacturing history

Bristol has a rich history in manufacturing, particularly in clock-making and spring manufacturing. The city was once home to the E. Ingraham Company, a prominent clock manufacturer, and the New Departure Manufacturing Company, known for its ball bearings. These industries played a significant role in shaping Bristol’s identity.

4. Lake Compounce

Being the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States, Lake Compounce holds significant attraction in Bristol. Furthermore, the park offers a mix of thrilling rides, water attractions, and live entertainment. Its long history makes it a popular destination for locals and tourists.

5. Arts and culture

Bristol is home to the Bristol Historical Society and the New England Carousel Museum, both of which showcase the city’s cultural heritage. Additionally, the Carousel Museum features a remarkable collection of antique pieces and offers educational programs. These institutions contribute to Bristol’s vibrant arts and culture scene.

Bristol Health is seeking donations from the community to help build its depleted cash reserves as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The community-owned hospital was created in response to the influenza outbreak of 1918, but saw its finances hard-hit more than a century later by the peak COVID pandemic years, in part due to several million dollars of federal loans that need to be paid back.

“That money started to be taken out of organizations’ Medicare payments,” said Kurt Barwis, president and CEO of Bristol Hospital and the health network. “So if you provided a Medicare service, almost two years ago, they started taking it back at a rate of 25% of your payment. And then that went up to 50%. And then, ultimately, if you didn't pay it back … it got transformed into a 60-month loan.”

The federal government was taking back cash even as hospitals were going through the loan application process, leaving the health system’s cash flow strained, he said.

So the hospital system is turning to the community for help.

In a fundraising letter to the community obtained by Connecticut Public, Barwis said the health system, which includes a hospital and over 100 provider networks in 20 locations in Connecticut, has until September to build up its cash reserves to meet the requirements of bond lenders.

“I'm hoping to reach individuals who have had great experiences in our organization, who feel really comfortable giving to us and supporting us, and helping us regain our balance sheet and financial stability so that we can be here for another 100 years,” Barwis said.

Despite being cash strapped, Barwis said Bristol Health is on track to break even this year following sharp cuts on expenses. He hoped to raise $1 million from donors in the community, which is two days worth of on-hand cash.

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Cold temperatures will greet the state Monday after a winter storm hit the state over the weekend, with heavy rain expected to hit the state midweek, officials said.

Connecticut saw a storm that brought inches of snow, sleet and rain taper off Sunday afternoon.

The National Weather Service said it would be cold Sunday night and Monday, with overnight temperatures in the low to mid-20s before sun brings them up to the high 30s.

The NWS said Monday night would also be in the low 20s, but Tuesday morning would see the beginnings of a storm move into the state. It said Tuesday would bring rain and temperatures in the mid-40s, and that rain would get heavier as day turns into night.

It issued a hazardous weather outlook for Tuesday night into Wednesday, saying "A storm system likely brings a period of heavy rain to the region Tuesday into Wednesday. Given the saturated soils, elevated streamflows, and a melting snowpack, urban and poor drainage flooding appears likely, with significant river flooding possible."

The NWS said the rain would clear up by Wednesday night in most parts of the state.

Eversource, the state's largest electricity provider, reported about 170 power outages as of around 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Most of those outages were in Avon and Stafford. In Simsbury, West Hartford and Granby, where hundreds of outages were reported earlier in the day, power had been mostly restored by mid-afternoon Sunday.

Eversource spokesperson Jamie Ratliff said the outages appeared to be weather-related, likely due to trees falling on wires.

United Illuminating, which serves the greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas, said there were no outages in its coverage areas.

The season's first winter storm began Saturday night and brought several inches of snow along the coast and up to a foot in northern areas of Connecticut.

READ MORE: Snow totals Sunday morning varied widely in Connecticut

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By 11 a.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service reported that Hartford County had the highest reported snowfall. North Granby had 11 inches and West Hartford had 10 inches of snow. Canton had 9.5 inches and Windsor had 8.5 inches, the weather service said. In Tolland County, 6.5 inches was recorded in Staffordville and 6 inches in Tolland, the weather service said.

In Fairfield County, 4.5 inches were measured in Greenwich, 4 inches in Redding, 3.5 inches in Stamford and about 3 inches in New Canaan, Wilton and Norwalk as well as at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford on Sunday morning.

The precipitation tapered off overnight, but redeveloped by mid-morning Sunday.

Early Sunday afternoon Gary Lessor, of the Connecticut Weather Center at Western Connecticut State University, said the worst of the storm was over by 11 a.m. and expected the state would only see an additional 1 or 2 inches of snow.

"The steady, heavy stuff is long gone," Lessor said. "There will probably be some scattered, start and stop, and minor accumulations (of snowfall)."

Periods of rain, snow and sleet were expected along the coast until early afternoon.

Brian Spyros, the Connecticut Airport Authority's public information officer, said about 20 percent of flights were canceled and 34 percent were delayed Sunday at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.

Spyros said travelers should monitor the status of their flights with airlines before heading out, as delays and cancelations were still possible, but said most of the affected flights would be in the morning.

Lessor said forecasters are already switching their attentions to a potential storm on Tuesday.

"Rain will start Tuesday afternoon and may briefly start snowing," he said. "Then strong, gusty winds will be present Tuesday evening into the night."

The coastline could see 50 to 60 mph gusts while inland could experience 30 to 45 mph winds on Tuesday, Lessor said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

BRISTOL — The Connecticut Women's Volleyball Hall of Fame recently held an induction ceremony in November to recognize and honor the achievements of those who have contributed to the enhancements of women's volleyball.

Two women from Bristol were honored into the Hall of Fame including Stacy Rivoira for Scholastic Coach and Coral Richardson for Honorary Nominee. Rivoira and Richardson join Gail Ericson, also of Bristol, who was nominated for Scholastic Coach in 2009.

All three inductees graduated from Bristol Eastern High School and coached in Bristol.

“All the sports and teams that I have had the luxury to play on specifically the sport of volleyball helped me grow as a person and athlete and provided me with positive influences in my life,” Coral Richardson said. “When you love something, it is hard not to strive to do your very best.”

Richardson began playing volleyball in 1974 during her senior year at Bristol Eastern High School. In 1975, she went on to play volleyball at Southern Connecticut State College for

four-years. The Owls won the 1977 New England Volleyball Championships.

Richardson also played basketball for four-years and softball for one year at SCSC.

Upon graduation, she continued to compete in numerous tournaments traveling throughout the northeast with the New England Yankee Volleyball Association and in 1990, she began competing in National USA Volleyball tournaments.

Richardson has also competed in the Huntsman’s World Senior Games in Utah over the last twelve years and has been awarded six Gold medals, two Silver medals and two Bronze medals. A highlight in Richardson’s senior career was qualifying for the Senior USA team that traveled to New Zealand to compete in the World Master’s games.

Richardson has continued her playing career as she is still involved in the beach and grass volleyball circuit. However, her playing career is not the only thing that made her eligible for the hall of fame. Richardson is also an accomplished coach that coached at Bristol Central during the 1980’s as well as an official.

Her coaching career spanned over two decades as she also coached AAU and USA Juniors Club in Connecticut. She has also officiated high school, AAU, USA Club and NCAA volleyball matches.

Richardson resigned in 2001 and has since found a passion for Pickleball.

Rivoira, on the other hand, is a Bristol, Connecticut native and 1988 Bristol Eastern High School graduate. While at Bristol Eastern, Rivoira was a four-year participant in the volleyball, basketball and tennis programs.

She was a three-year starter and senior captain in all three sports. She also won three state championships at Bristol Eastern, two in 1986 and 1987 for the volleyball team and one in 1987 for the girls basketball team.

Upon graduating, Rivoira went on to play volleyball at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts. A four-year starter for the Skyhawks, she was named captain her senior year, as well as being selected to the Northeast All-Conference team.

Rivoira would continue her athletic career as a volleyball coach at her alma mater Bristol Eastern, coaching for twenty-three seasons, the last thirteen as a varsity head coach. She was an assistant coach to Gail Ericson winning the 2005 CIAC Class L State Championship.

In 2006, her first year as the head varsity coach, the Lancers went 25-0 and won the CIAC Class L State Championship. In those thirteen seasons, her teams made it to the CIAC State Tournament quarterfinals or better eleven times, won twelve Central Connecticut Conference South Championships, four Central Connecticut Conference Championships and two CIAC Class L Championships in 2006 and 2012.

She coached over forty-six All-Conference players, sixteen CIAC All-State players and one Hartford Courant Player of the Year. She compiled an overall record of 248-56, posting a 143-5 record in the CCC South matches.

Rivoria also went undefeated in the CCC South her final eight seasons, winning her last ninety matches. She was inducted into the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

Rivoria credits her father, Dave Mills, for being a clear role model and influential coaching figure in her life. Mills was a football coach at Bristol Eastern High School for twenty-six years and consistently demonstrated strong moral character, maintained high expectations, a tireless work ethic and an undeniable desire to make a difference in every life he touched.

He demanded accountability and worked hard to be a knowledgeable and educated coach who passionately displayed his love of coaching whenever he stepped on the field.