Cementing a vintage sense of style, Neville Wisdom brought a decades old pair of silver, over-sized scissors to the grand opening of his new dress shop in New Haven’s Ninth Square.
Gorgeous, but a little rusty, the scissors weren’t quite sharp enough to cut the green, celebratory ribbon on first try. But with a little help from a New Haven alderman and a few city employees, Wisdom finally made the cut.
Wisdom is one of dozens of new store, shop, restaurant, gallery and work space owners who’ve found a home in the lively, artsy, food-filled Ninth Square — which was buzzing with people, music and ribbon cuttings Friday evening for the first of nine monthly “Arts On9” events running through the summer.
Arts On9 — a collaboration between New Haven’s Project Storefronts, the Town Green Special Services District and the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism — is an effort to draw attention, energy and dollars to the area.
The familiar faces of New Haven residents are of course welcome to New Haven’s Ninth Square. But what do the city and local business really want? To drive traffic in from outside of the city, to keep the consumer dollars and support flowing. The neighborhood — ready and waiting with its unique retail storefronts, international cuisine and arts and music scene — is looking for the extra, sustained boost from insiders and outsiders alike.
The answer? Party in the Ninth, once a month. Thispast weekend, the focus was on arts. Each successive month will bring a different theme. This week featured three shiny new businesses, looking to develop clientele and reputation.
A good-sized troupe of city employees, aldermen, developers and visitors moved from business to business.
Uma Ramiah Photo
Matt and Sarah Greenwell with Kelly Murphy and Doug Hausladen.
Starting off at the new tea, coffee and health shop greenwell coffee on Crown Street, Town Green Special Services District Executive Director Win Davis, city economic development chief Kelly Murphy and others offered words of support and encouragement to owners Matt and Sarah Greenwell.
“Ten years ago, this neighborhood looked very different,” Davis said. “We want to thank Matt and Sarah for bringing their energy and enthusiasm and deciding to settle in New Haven.”
Murphy echoed that. “Thank you for choosing the Ninth Square,” she said. “I think you’ll find that the businesses in this area are a real family, a team, with innovation and creativity.”
The Greenwells grabbed a pair of city-supplied oversized scissors and gleefully cut the green ribbon.
“We chose New Haven for its sense of youth, creativity, vibrancy,” Matt Greenwell said. “We’re loving it here.”
Inside, greenwell’s bright interior buzzed with regulars and newbies alike, enjoying a menu of fresh, organic teas and coffees and baked goods and a performance by local musician Glenn Roth.
The group of about 15 people shuffled excitedly down to Crown Street for a stop at the brand new Palmeira Restaurant. Owners Isabel Oliva and Felipe Franco, from Brazil, opened their restaurant three weeks ago. “Welcome to downtown,” said Doug Hausladen, an alderman for Ninth Square. “We’ve had no Brazilian option until now, so this is great. Thank you for coming downtown, and creating jobs.”
Franco accepted a congratulatory plaque and said he and Oliva enjoyed New Haven and decided it was the perfect town to settle in. “And Crown is like this international street now — you’ve got Malaysian, Italian, Brazilian.”
And of course, they cut the ribbon.
Oliva and Franco invited the group in for appetizers and their signature Brazilian caipirinha cocktails, where small groups were already enjoying a menu of Brazilian specialities.
Neville Wisdom with a model
Next stop: Neville Wisdom’s dress shop and design studio on Crown — where a Mad Men-style party was already in full affect.
Wisdom outfitted a group of models in 1960s style, slim fitted cocktail dresses.
A couple of Don and Betty Draper look-alikes posed for photos on a small, ‘60s-style office set.
Racks of handmade creations were on display for all to see.
Then, the requisite ribbon cutting: Davis made his third welcome speech of the evening, thanking Wisdom for his decision to move from Westville to the Ninth Square. “We’re seeing a huge upswell in creativity, energy and entrepreneurial spirit in this neighborhood. You’re a big part of that,” he said.
It took a little effort, but Wisdom finally cut the ribbon to a round of enthusiastic applause.
