Celebrity Signing On Tap For South Windsor Opening Of Relocated Stores

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — It's hard to believe it's been 45 years since Jason Voorhees emerged from fictional Crystal Lake in the horror movie classic Friday the 13th. This weekend, the first actor to portray Jason on film will be appearing in South Windsor - ironically, just 13 miles from Crystal Lake in Ellington - as part of the grand opening celebration of two small businesses recently relocated from Enfield.

Galaxy Pops and Beyond is hosting actor/musician Ari Lehman, the original Jason, at the opening of its new location in the Colony Plaza on Sullivan Avenue, next to The Red Cabin restaurant. Lehman will be meeting fans and signing autographs from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 1-2.

Next door will be the opening of the new site for SSUPhoto Designs, which had previously shared space with Galaxy Pops in the Enfield Square shopping mall. In early December, SSU owner Dwayne Thomas and Galaxy Pops owner Rob Merrill announced their imminent departure from the beleaguered mall, and acquisition of the spaces in the busy South Windsor plaza.

"The larger, more prominent space will allow us to carry more collectibles, host more celebrity signings and start to run gaming tournaments," Merrill told Patch.

In a social media post, Thomas wrote, "While we didn't want to leave Enfield, the lack of transparency and deteriorating conditions at the mall led us to find a space that better accommodates our business needs."

Galaxy Pops carries a large assortment of Pokemon cards and supplies, Funko Pops, Lorcana, One Piece, Magic the Gathering and WWE action figures. SSUPhoto Designs provides custom personalized gifts, such as tumblers, T-shirts, apparel, socks, phone accessories, photo panels, photo slates, blankets, pillows and more.

Anyone with questions may contact Merrill at 860-333-5014, or Thomas at 860-916-6230.