Businesses Tell Their Stories in Groton

It’s taken him 20 years to learn it, but Dennis McGee said he now understands business is all about networking.

“I feel like we weathered the storm and we’ve had to expand into new niches and new areas,” he said.

McGee, who owns Cornerstone Bookstore & Jubilee Junction, was among six business or community leaders who spoke Thursday at the annual Groton Business Update at the Groton Inn & Suites.

McGee saw 10 years of growth in the bookstore business followed by 10 years of decline, he said. When his company lost a sub-tenant last year, he considered closing.

A Hard Time

“It was just probably the gloomiest time imaginable,” he said.

Instead, McGee, who networks with local churches and runs a religious bookstore, reached out to a gift shop owner, turned the rear of his store into a crafter’s mall, and drew in more than 60 local artists and crafters.

Each one has a nook with a name like “Daniel’s Den” in keeping with the biblical theme.

“It’s almost like a little vacation bible school,” he told the group.

Other business owners gave updates as well.

500 Employees

Robert Wood, of AirWell Water, Inc., started a business that uses a machine that functions like a dehumidifier to collect water from the air. Then he purifies it to make drinking water.

On April 1, the company merged with Mystic Energy Group, the solar energy provider for its power plant. Airwell outgrew its leased space in Groton before it even opened, and is moving into the old Fisher Controls building in North Stonington in June.

Wood said the company will employ 89 people the first year and 500 during the next three years.

Customer Inquiries

Tom Vignato is starting a paintball business called “Fields of Fire” on 50 acres off Noank Ledyard Road. 

The business will open June 30 with six playing fields, and later expand to 20. Vignato said he’s already getting three or four inquires a week about the details of the park.

New Careers

Michael Alfutis, chief administrator of UConn-Avery Point, said the campus has expanded its offerings.

In addition to serving 600 undergraduates and collaborating with programs like Project Oceanology, the campus has added a master of nursing program, master of engineering program in collaboration with Electric Boat, and a teaching certification program for college graduates who want to teach math or science. 

Avery Point has also started a technology incubator that gives businesses access to university facilities.

Helping Veterans

Kathleen Burns, who with her husband, Dan, manage Noank Shipyard & started Work Vessels for Vets, is reaching veterans. The Work Vessels for Vets program started after man donated his fishing boat to a returning vet, and has since been expanded to provide computers, land and other tools veterans need to start businesses.

The program has helped more than 600 veterans find careers as civilians.

Hot Sandwiches

Anabel Montalbano, marketing catering coordinator for The Bridge Market, said the company had its kitchen approved and will be serving hot sandwiches soon.

The market opened with a small deli and groceries, and is in its second phase of renovation. The business hopes to have wood fire pizza available by early June and then open an old-fashioned ice cream shop.