Jim Visits Local Businesses in Ridgefield

Ridgefield Patch, Monday, August 09, 2010

Though he's running for a second term in U.S. Congress, talk turned to the state governor's race on Friday afternoon as U.S. Rep. Jim Himes toured local businesses with First Selectman Rudy Marconi.

The next governor, Marconi said as he spoke with Himes and Ridgefield Hardware owner Jerry Rabin, will be saddled with a hefty deficit. "I can't imagine why anyone would want that job," Himes deadpanned, batting Marconi gently on the arm.

"Me neither," said Marconi, who was running for governor until May.

The jocular tone charactized the outing, during which Himes held a $540,000 diamond choker at Addessi Jewelers, savored a Cake Box cupcake and checked out the new menus at Southwest Cafe before heading back downtown to speak at the Democratic election headquarters opening.

Himes said that he finds taking time to speak with local merchants valuable, because it gives him a three-dimensional understanding of the challenges his constituents face in a still-depressed economic climate.

"When I go back to Washington, when I talk about the housing market, I'll remember Margaret Sims," he said, referring to the owner of Ridgefield Supply. She engaged Himes in a detailed conversation on the need to bolster consumer confidence during the car ride from downtown to Copps Hill.

"Otherwise, it's just words on paper," Himes said.

Aside from Ridgefield Supply, which has 20 fewer employees than before the recession hit, Himes seemed impressed with the staying power of Ridgefield's locally owned businesses. Addessi sold the biggest-ticket item in its history this year, and Ridgefield Hardware is doing brisk business in high-end barbecues, owners told him. Restaurants have continued to open and flourish.

"There's a strong sort of 'shop local' movement in Ridgefield, which is nice," Cake Box owner Jordan Gregory said to Himes as the congressman devoured a sweet & salty cupcake, Marconi's treat.

Himes took two to go.

"You guys will be selling millions of dollars worth before the housing market is where we want it to be," he said.