The Connecticut Retail Merchants Association has launched an energy efficiency program for small retailers called Lean & Green that is being funded by a $150,000 grant from the Energy Conservation Management Board, a group administered by the state Department of Utility Control.
Tim Phelan, longtime executive director of the CRMA, said the idea came from a discussion he had with a counterpart from another state. Phelan worked with the state to get the program off the ground and then coordinated with United Illuminating and Connecticut Light & Power to get the free energy audits administered.
This is the first time a conservation program has been targeted to retailers, according to Phelan.
“A lot of these smaller independent merchants are forgotten in terms of conservation,” Phelan said. “People don’t think they use a lot of energy but collectively they do.”
Retailers receive a free energy audit and then are free to do what they wish with the results. CL&P and UI both offer interest-free loans toward completing energy-saving improvements. Phelan said the energy improvements typically cover the loan repayment costs.
Chris Zane, the owner of Zane’s Cycles in Branford, is quoted in promotional material for the program as saying an energy audit revealed his space had improper lighting in place. He said once the energy efficiency measures were in place and implemented, his shop, one of the largest retail bicycle stores in the country, saved more than $5,800 in electricity costs over the course of a year. The cost for the materials and labor of the energy efficiency measures was approximately $22,000, but with nearly $10,500 of incentives provided by the energy efficiency fund, the net costs were only just more than $11,500.
Phelan said the $150,000 grant is being used for a grassroots campaign and collateral material to promote the Lean & Green program. CRMA is also receiving some funds to administer the program. The Energy Conservation Management Board is funded by a conservation surcharge on utility bills.
“The evaluation is the most important part,” said Phelan, adding that many of his 500 members aren’t aware such programs exist. “We’re trying to get the activity level up,” he said.
More information about the program is available by contacting the CRMA at (860) 527-1044.
New stores at Westfarms
Westfarms has added four new stores to its roster of more than 160: True Religion Brand Jeans, Free People, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.
True Religion, which will open in May, is known not only for its denim, but also for its knit and woven sportswear such as T-shirts, western shirts and loungewear that all have that vintage feel. Free People, coming to Westfarms in August, is a women’s boutique known for its boho-vintage apparel, accented with ruffle and lace details for mid- to late-20-something women. Anthropologie — which an eclectic assortment of casual apparel and accessories for women, handcrafted furniture, gifts and decorative items — will open at Westfarms in November. Also coming to Westfarms is lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters, offering men’s and women’s apparel and accessories for the apartment.
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Sixth Nardelli’s opening
The newest Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe is scheduled to open in early March at 380 Washington St., Middletown, the site of a former Dunkin Donuts. The restaurant, which is expected to create 10 new jobs, will be owned by Steve Katz, who has worked in the Nardelli stores for more than 10 years. The restaurant will be the sixth Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe, and the fourth to be franchised.Â
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Home Depot to hire 600
The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, announced it will hire more than 60,000 seasonal associates in time for the company’s second annual Spring Black Friday event. More than 600 jobs are expected to be added in Connecticut. Spring Black Friday is a rolling event based on the local climates across the country. During four different weekends in spring, prices on hundreds of spring products will be reduced including live goods and lawn care; outdoor power; eco-friendly gardening products; and patio and grills.
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Sales grew again in January
According to figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, retail sales grew again in January for the seventh straight month. Monthly retail sales figures for January were up 0.3 percent over December and 7.8 percent over January 2010. Retail sales excluding auto sales were up 0.3 percent over the previous month and 6.2 percent over January 2010. Consumers overcame the challenges presented by bad weather across the U.S. in January to drive retail up slightly in January.
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Program repurposing corks
J. Gilbert’s, a restaurant in Glastonbury, is the first Hartford-area business to partner with ReCORK, a U.S.-based wine cork recycling program, aimed to keep cork out of landfills and repurpose corks into practical products, like flooring or shoes. The restaurant will recycle every cork popped from a bottle ordered in-house, and will also serve as a drop-off recycling center where guests can bring in their corks from home. The program is linked to a global initiative to save and protect the over 6 million acres of cork forests that dot the Mediterranean Basin, which are vital to the local economies, support an ecosystem found only in the Montado, and are key to the battle against global warming.
