Foxwoods Massachusetts to Establish Storefront at Former Nik's Barber Shop

A former barber shop on Main Street will be transformed in coming weeks into a Main Street location advertising a Milford casino development.

The storefront recently was vacated by Nik's Barber Shop, which has relocated to Chapin Street.

Its representatives have negotiated a lease for the space at 88 Main St., as well as some office space, also on Main Street, according to a letter sent to Milford Selectmen.

The storefront location will allow the company to present residents with brochures and information about the proposed development. The length of the lease was not specified, or shared with town officials, but a timeline for the development proposal indicates a community vote could come in late October, if negotiations with town officials are successful.

As part of the application review with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, developers of casino proposals are required to demonstrate "community outreach," including efforts to work with and speak with groups in the host town.

The Gaming Commission ultimately will decide which casino applicant in the greater Boston region will receive the single available license. The Foxwoods Massachusetts proposal is competing with resort casino projects in East Boston, at the Suffolk Downs racetrack, and in Everett, at a former industrial site.

The letter to selectmen from Shoefsky & Froelich — the Chicago law firm hired to represent the town in its evaluation of the proposal — states the developer has met with the following people or public officials in Milford over the past several weeks to discuss the project: Police Chief Thomas O'Loughlin, Town Administrator Richard A. Villani, Town Engineer Michael Santora, the president of the Milford Firefighters union, Milford Firefighters (Local 2140), the Highway Department surveyor, the fire chief, and the Milford Chamber of Commerce board chairman and president.

In addition, Allan Kronberg, the general manager and developer's representative for Milford, has met with several people, business owners and residents, according to the letter. Sit downs with staff and customers were conducted at Caffe Sorrento and Pepperoncini, and with the owner of Trattoria 89 Central.