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Almanac
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Business New Haven
11/30/1998
By: BNH
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Tattoo You
Friday the 13th wasn't a very lucky day for the operator of the Edge tattoo parlor on Chapel Street. Christopher Elia, who operates Edge Tattoo parlor stores in New Haven and two other Connecticut locations, as well as one in Pawtucket, R.I., was arrested November 13 at his South Windsor home by agents of the Special Investigations Section of the state's Department of Revenue Services on five counts of issuing a false statement. He was held pending posting a $15,000 cash bond. Elia had provided the sworn statements to several Connecticut automobile dealers stating he was not a Connecticut resident, and was therefore exempt from paying sales taxes on vehicle purchases. Elia has at least eight vehicles emblazoned with the tattoo parlor's logo, which he uses to promote his business; they include a $70,000 Hummer and five new Volkswagen Beetles. All are registered to an address in New Hampshire and have New Hampshire license plates. If convicted Elia could face up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Still in Its Prime?
A popular East Rock neighborhood grocery store is on the auction block - but the store itself will remain open, say its owners. The land and building housing Prime Market on Orange Street are scheduled to be auctioned in a foreclosure sale on December 19 by a company owned by the uncle of Prime Market owner Nicholas Casella Jr. The purpose of the sale is to clear the title of liens, holders of which include the city and the IRS. Even a buyer meets the asking price, however - which is doubtful - Prime Market retains a five-year lease at the site.
What Goes Out
Connecticut merchandise exports were up 7.2 percent through the third quarter of the year, while U.S. exports fell 1.1 percent over the same period. The state's largest trading partner, Canada, increased its imports of Connecticut products by 1.9 percent, while exports to Asian nations declined 11.4 percent. The dollar value of exports to all Asian nations represented 21.0 percent of the state's total exports. “The increase in exports is encouraging because it outpaces the U.S. rate of growth despite declines in Asian markets,” said Gov. John G. Rowland. The state's largest export industry, transportation equipment, was up 36.6 percent; instrument exports grew by 4.9 percent; and rubber and miscellaneous plastics products were up 1.9 percent. Those gains were offset by 7.1-percent decreases in exports of industrial machinery, a 16.3-percent drop in electronic equipment, a 29.1 percent decline in primary metals, and a 28.0-percent drop in apparel exports.
What Goes Up
HRH/Atlas Construction Inc. broke ground November 20 on a new $5.4 million facilities operation building at Southern Connecticut State University, part of the “New Century” building program. The three-story, 44,000-square-foot main building and 10,000-square-foot vehicle maintenance facility is the first of SCSU's ten-year, $230 million construction plan to reach the bricks-and-mortar stage. Future projects include additions to the Buley Library and Engleman Hall, the main classroom and administration building, student center and Moore Field House. Architect for the project is DeCarlo & Doll of Hamden.
Show Them the Money
Citizens Financial Group Inc., parent company of Citizens Bank, will pay “success bonuses” to more than 1,700 employees in mid-December in recognition of their contributions to the company's financial and corporate growth. The bonus is a special, one-time payment to employees with a minimum three years' service who are below the level of vice president. Primary beneficiaries will be tellers, operations and support staff employees who generally do not earn income from bonus or incentive programs. The bonuses will be paid December 15 to full- and part-time personnel working more than 20 hours weekly. Those who work 30 or more hours will receive $500; workers of 20 to 29 hours weekly will receive $250 bonuses. Citizens has 280 branch offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
Electronic Valley
The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce has unleashed its new Web site: www.electronicvalley.org/chamber. Besides information about chamber members' companies and goods/services, the site offers access to many online business resources such as business journals, news media sites and state and federal government resources of use to business. The site was created Bemor Computer Services of Shelton - a chamber member (natch).
Quotes of the Fortnight
“Does anyone really think that [New England Patriots owner] Bob Kraft...wants to stroll the dead streets of America's File Cabinet, gladhanding the poor souls who could not support a major league hockey team, the Forever .500 Whalers?”
- Dan Shaunnessey, Boston Globe, November 19
“File This, Boston: Patriots Move.”
- Hartford Courant, November 20
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