Rucki’s sold: Another grocery planned
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
ABINGTON — The new owner of Rucki’s is in an assessment mode but says that a convenience/grocery store is his intent for the long time general store.
May 13 Rucki’s was purchased by Mahalaximi Realty LLC of Putnam. New owner Niranjan “Nick” Thapaliya, owner of Putnam Supermarket, said it will be a while, perhaps a few months, to see what’s needed and how to best approach a convenience/grocery store.
“It will be a retail general type of store,” he said. Since Rucki’s was a three-generation business in Putnam and then in Abington, most of the permits needed for a grocery store are already in place, “all set.”
Thapaliya said he will be looking at whether there is a beer permit already in place that can be transferred. Rucki’s sign did mention beer.
He said he will also have to work on the issue of parking. Currently there are, at the most, four parking spaces in front of the store.
Changes at the store will also hinge on the availability of contractors.
He stressed that his business, too, is a family business and he plans to bring that touch to the store.
The warranty deed filed at town hall said the “premises are conveyed subject to easements, restrictions and agreements as of record appear, building and building line restrictions, any and all provisions of municipal ordinances including planning, zoning and inland wetland regulations of the Town of Pomfret, public or private law, municipal assessments and taxes hereinafter coming due against these premises.”
Rucki’s had a moving sale about a month ago. There had been some interest from buyers who wanted to turn the 11,000-plus square foot building into apartments, but the Rucki family wanted the next incarnation of a general store.
The business began with Walter Rucki in Manhasset Village in Putnam. The Flood of 1955 destroyed the business and the store moved to Abington in July, 1958.
Walter Rucki and family that followed were meat cutters and Rucki’s was also known for its deli.
The building sits on .36 acres.
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By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Third-graders got a special treat last week — they were immersed in Putnam’s history with a field trip to the Putnam Town Hall, the Aspinock Historical Society, the Putnam Public Library and the Gertrude Chandler Warner Boxcar Children Museum. This is the second year and there were 84 third graders, according to Boxcar Director Pat Hedenberg.
Their visit to the Aspinock Historical Society offered them a chance to see and use rotary phones, antique typewriters and cuddle in fur coats from the 1950s, along with learning about the history of the town. The students then had a chance tour the children’s section of the Library along with a chance to let off steam on new playscape.
While at the Boxcar students learned about school life in Putnam at the turn of the century, created their own spool pet and bookmark, had a walking tour of Ms. Warner’s Putnam and challenged each other to a game of corn hole. As one student said, it would be so much fun living in a Boxcar but I would want electricity – another chimed in that she plans on being a mystery writer and creating more adventures with Watch, the dog, Hedenberg said.
Hedenberg said at the conclusion of a fun-filled morning, Mike Alberts and the team, from Jewett City Savings Bank, provided each third grader with a copy of Gertrude Warner’s book, “Snowbound Mystery.” (above left)
Roger Franklin, who was a student of Gertrude Warner’s, said the author often put children in her books. Franklin’s Market was included in “Snowbound Mystery.”
The students all said they can’t wait to return.
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(Rainy) Day of Service
Despite some raindrops, the Putnam Rotary Club took part in Rotary’s Day of Service by working on the garden beds in Rotary Park. They were joined by Interact Club members from local high schools and accomplished weeding, trimming, installing border stones, spreading pea stone and mulch, planting perennials and evergreens and more. The Day of Service was organized by Rotarian Karen Osbrey. More photos Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photos.
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The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs. The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 860-963-0000.
May 16
Joshua Morse, 35, homeless; second-degree failure to appear (2), possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia.
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