A Sign of Progress (Fall 2004)

Extending from Wethersfield to Hartford's Southside, Maple Avenue serves as one of the city's major arteries. The avenue is home to a variety of unique restaurants, shops, and small businesses, as well as adjacent neighborhoods.

Over the years Maple Avenue has seen significant progress: new businesses, street improvements, crime reduction, facade improvements, and overall beautification. Spurring this advancement are groups like the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Revital-ization Zone, the Maple Avenue Merchants Association, and SINA. SINA provides tech­nical support for the merchants association and has helped stabilize the southern end of Maple Avenue.

"We are on the move, revitalizing Maple Avenue," enthused Hyacinth Yennie, head of the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Revi-talization Zone. "Maple Avenue will look like the rising star of Hartford."

Indeed the rising star of Hartford can be seen on Maple Avenue, gracing the new merchant sign located near Goodwin Park Golf Course.

"The sign is great for this area," Pat DePasquale, owner of First and Last Tavern, enthused. "Hopefully it will bring people down here." Pat De Pasquale, and his family, have operated their restaurant on Maple Avenue for 22 years.   De Pasquale has helped Maple Avenue develop, both with his involvement in the merchants asso­ciation and with his opening of the new First and Last Bakery Cafe. To create the Cafe, De Pasquale converted an aban­doned building, providing landscaping, an inviting facade, and new life to a stretch of Maple Avenue.

"The Maple Avenue Merchant Association is motivated, and it takes action," SINA's Executive Director Luis Caban observed. "They have good ideas and a good sense of direction for Maple Avenue."

The Merchants Association has 32 mem­bers and is led by Dennis O'Connor of Noble, Young, and O'Connor. Mr. O'Connor has been with the Association since its inception ten years ago. He hopes to see more merchants join the group, and increased participation from existing members.

"It's really important that we have this association." O'Connor explained. "It's important for the community, and an improved community means improved business. I wish more merchants realized that having a strong association is good for their business."

Two years ago SINA began working with the Maple Avenue Merchants to help energize the association, increase mem­bership, and initiate projects. "SINA is a catalyst," O'Connor described. "They have ideas on how to improve the area. They help coordinate projects like the new merchant sign and the Barry Square cleanup, and they are excellent in following up."