MONROE, CT — Many homeowners may decide to freshen up their walls with a splash of new colors, or take advantage of the warm summer weather by going outside to touch up the trim around their windows with fresh coats of white paint.
The Benjamin Moore store in the Monroe Professional Building at 450 Monroe Turnpike, which recently came under new management, features an expanded selection, including paint for decks and siding.
Town officials formally welcomed the new owners, Shahnawaz “Shah” Baig and Hamza Lutaf, with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon. The business partners are leasing space in the building from Sheikh Ullah.
“We wish you the best of luck,” First Selectman Terry Rooney said after cutting the celebratory ribbon. “We’re always thankful for businesses investing in Monroe. This is a great addition to this side of town.”
“These kinds of services are very important,” Monroe Chamber of Commerce President Ray Giovanni said. “We’re all about beautifying Monroe and you’re gonna be the point person to help us get that accomplished, so we thank you for bringing your wares and your skills and your family to join in the celebration we’re going to have here in Monroe.”
William Holsworth, chairman of the Community and Economic Development Department, also represented the town, in addition to Lee Hossler, who is an ambassador for the Monroe Chamber.
Shy Grahame, an agent with Berkshire Hathaway in Glastonbury who is helping with the leasing of the space, was on hand, along with Craig Heintzman, a territory representative for Benjamin Moore.
Zeeishan Sheikh Ullah, son of the building’s owner also attended the ceremony.
“It’s very much appreciated,” Lutaf said of town officials holding the ceremony. “It’s a very nice town. The people are very nice and welcoming as well.”
The Benjamin Moore store is the first venture in business ownership for both Lutaf and Baig.
Baig said a friend told him about the available space in Monroe, which had become available when the previous owner decided to retire.
“The location is perfect, because it’s on a main road,” Baig said.
Lutaf and Baig reopened the Benjamin Moore location in March.
“It’s been great. We’re getting traffic slowly,” Baig said, “because the summer is here, I would say it’s the perfect time to be open. People like to paint now. It dries faster.”
Since taking over the store, Baig said they expanded the inventory to include the most popular, high quality interior and exterior paint, and plan to sell blinds as well.
The store is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Sunday. Customers will receive a 10 percent discount on their purchases from Wednesday through Tuesday, June 4. For information, call the store at 203-268-7556.
Heintzman said all Benjamin Moore store owners are independent retailers. “We want all of our customers to shop in a friendly environment,” he said.
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