It could be the end of the road for a building that's stood in Stafford Springs for nearly 200 years. Plans are in the works to tear down the historic building and replace it with a dollar store.
In 1816, Parley Converse, considered a key player in the town's development, built the home on West Main Street for his family. Through the years, it's served as the Maple Grove Inn, a four-star restaurant and, presently, the Stafford Tavern. There are even rumors the building is haunted.
But the four-unit mixed use structure for adult tenants could soon be replaced by a Dollar General. The building is under contract in a commercial zone to be removed, yet the contract gives time to move or take down the building should anyone show interest in the commercial space.
"We don't want to see this amazing historic structure be lost to simple retail development," said resident Ed Bareiss.
Bareiss, who protested Cumberland Farms' attempt to purchase the building 10 years ago, has started up once again by gathering hundreds of supporters online. Protesters plan to rally at the site the afternoon of Dec. 6.
"It is a private business transaction, and there aren't a lot of legal protections for the community. But this is a special case," said Bareiss.
Property owner David Bacchiochi said he's lost $67,000 in the 10 years he's owned the space and that with so many structural problems, there's not much he can do to salvage the building. The building needs a new roof due to leaks and a crumbling roof, he said. Three chimneys on the building are also leaning. He also said half of exiting tenants complained of high heating costs, difficulty getting furniture into the building, car noise and restaurant smoke.
The building insurance "has been canceled [four] times due to the age of the structure, lead paint" and "kitchen failed inspections" as well as the access drive width, according to Bacchiochi. The building is not insured for fires, he said
Still, many are hoping a solution can be reached before a piece of history is erased.
"I believe when you take on a building like this there's a moral responsibility to take care of the piece of the town, the heart of the town," said Stafford Springs resident Alyssa Skewes.
Bacchiochi said he's not against someone coming in and paying to move the building to another property. The cutoff for doing so is April, when the deal is expected to be complete.
The town Stafford gave First Selectman Richard Shuck the green light in May to hire Donald Poland, a planning consultant and Connecticut Planning & Development, LLC, to review the town's conservation and development plan for "residential, commercial, and economic development," Bacchiochi said.
"Like it or not, this is Stafford’s ‘suburban strip’ commercial area. More important, it has great potential for future commercial—primarily retail and service—use and development," Bacchiochi wrote to NBC Connecticut in an email. "Therefore, commercial development for this area should be promoted."
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Dollar Store could not be reached for comment.
