[RogerAnthony]

Originally Posted by Danny K

I am going to vote for Middletown, but Groton has some really nice areas: Bluff Point, Long Point, Noank, and parts of Mystic! Have you been to those areas?

Honestly, I'm not sure. In the 1990's I've been on Route 1 and Route 12 quite a bit, and in the housing projects as well.

[WouldLoveTo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Are you joking? The SoNo Collection is the new upscale shopping mall in Norwalk. It’s where Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s are located.

SoNo is short for South Norwalk which is sort of the old central business district and main train station on the New Haven line.

I've never heard of it either and I honestly think the little abbreviations (SoNo, DoNo) are silly - and easily duplicated so at some point you'll never know what someone is talking about. Not a dig on you Jay, I know you didn't make them!

There's an acronym that became popular recently but it was really started by the government in the 40s and they are in no way related. Anytime I see the acronym I think of the original one, not the current one everyone wants to push.

[BHW2436]

SoNo is all the rage. Shopping galore. Kids are even snapping up the SoNo tees like it’s the next SoHo in NYC!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1278633879/

Get ‘em while they’re hot!

[Danny K]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Are you joking? The SoNo Collection is the new upscale shopping mall in Norwalk. It’s where Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s are located.

SoNo is short for South Norwalk which is sort of the old central business district and main train station on the New Haven line.

Jay, honestly I am TERRIBLE with abbreviations, and really won't know what people are talking about with them. Also because I live out of state currently, and only usually go 1-2 times a year, I am not always up-to-date with the new developments going on. I definitely know where South Norwalk is, but Norwalk isn't a town I visit that much when I am back in CT; except maybe to go out to eat sometimes.

[Danny K]

Originally Posted by JayCT

No, but I often note that RJ Julia in Madison and Middletown are great bookstores and what makes their town centers interesting and unique.

Is the branch in Middletown new? I've seen you talk about the Madison location a lot, but I don't remember you mentioning the Middletown location before this tournament. Is the Middletown location a recent new opening?

[Danny K]

Can we talk about Middletown? Middletown is seriously having the Tournament if its life!!!!

I have been to the downtown a few times, and it is very unique and beautiful, but has there been something else going on there in the recent years? Any huge developments or new things that are really attractive? I've come to enjoy the restaurants there more and more every time I've been, but I haven't visited super often.

I was looking back at results in previous tournaments, and it seems that Middletown has had some tough draws in the past: (2016 out to Ridgefield, 2018 out to Branford, 2020 out to Old Saybrook, 2022 out to East Lyme). I believe Middletown would've been strong favorites if it faced Ridgefield this tournament. However, the rest of the towns are all stronger on paper and according to the coefficients.

I am just curious what has been going for Middletown recently? What's with the significant jump. The biggest surprise to me was how easily it beat Westport. Now truthfully, Westport has greatly underperformed this tournament and I am not sure why that is either. Although Westport has tended to drop in performances with pretty much every tournament.

I am proud to say that Middletown has already secured its place in the Top 16 towns of the coefficient. As to the exact number, that'll depend on future rounds, but Middletown is officially a Top 16 town now!

One another note, Glastonbury is officially OUT of the Top 16 towns, and its coefficient has really plummeted.

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by Danny K

Jay, honestly I am TERRIBLE with abbreviations, and really won't know what people are talking about with them. Also because I live out of state currently, and only usually go 1-2 times a year, I am not always up-to-date with the new developments going on. I definitely know where South Norwalk is, but Norwalk isn't a town I visit that much when I am back in CT; except maybe to go out to eat sometimes.

If you visit Fairfield and Milford it’s the same just a little bigger. There are no Norwalk residents on here to give it enough coverage. Its coastline is the sleeper, more charm and character than the other two (Southport and Rowayton are a wash). Forest neighborhoods away from coast rival Fairfield’s but are much nicer than Milford’s.

Take care guys

[diydesign]

Middletown

West Hartford

Branford

East Lyme

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by SteveM85

If you visit Fairfield and Milford it’s the same just a little bigger. There are no Norwalk residents on here to give it enough coverage. Its coastline is the sleeper, more charm and character than the other two (Southport and Rowayton are a wash). Forest neighborhoods away from coast rival Fairfield’s but are much nicer than Milford’s.

Take care guys

SoNo is more city like than Fairfield downtown, Fairfield downtown is more city like than Milford.

But yeah it’s a nice center.

I don’t see the hype in Norwalk forest areas. Silvermine is nice. There’s some nice ones in Milford too you’re underestimating. Fairfield wins in that regard.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Danny K

Is the branch in Middletown new? I've seen you talk about the Madison location a lot, but I don't remember you mentioning the Middletown location before this tournament. Is the Middletown location a recent new opening?

It’s been there seven years now, opening in 2017. It’s Wesleyan’s bookstore. Great asset to downtown Middletown.

https://www.wesleyanrjjulia.com/