First I'd like to see another cross walk right in front or closer to it since there is no parking behind it.

For business ideas-Id love to see more things like a tea shop, a bookstore, a flower shop or an art gallery, and or a gift shop. But a service based business like a lawyer or appointment based business would probably work best because there is no on street parking. Hopefully they paint it and do something lovely with the windows.

How about a tattoo parlor? That seems to be all the rage these days as evidenced by the turnout at a recent P&Z hearing. Or the Massage Parlor on Post Office Square could move there. But seriously, some buildings downtown (and this may be one) are so far gone they should be torn down and the site redeveloped. To make that happen we will need leadership from town hall (currently missing) and some sort of tax incentives. It won't happen on its own. Some seem blind to what is happening.

since people who live in Clinton generally do not shop in downtown Clinton, it would need to be something that would attract people from other towns to survive. How about another massage parlor?

Would even be nice if an existing place moved a little closer.....Book Loft, Beaches and Cream, Beach Donut Shop.
Centralize and revitalize down town.
We have a nice core group of shops, but need to build on them.

Another package store or nail salon. If not, then definitely a pizza place.

I vote for anything that doesn't end in "parlor".

I asked about renting that building for Clinton Music Center a few years ago and was told the owner was not interested in renting it. I'd like to see and art gallery or coffee shop that's open in the evening and has live music. Maybe a boutique or organic market. No more nail salons, massage parlors or pizza. I think we got that covered. Lawyer's offices and insurance offices bring in people from the general area, but aren't very interesting.

Any business that depends on walk in customers will fail in this location due to the lack of parking.
The site is an eye sore to the town. Proper planning is what is needed to bring life back to the center of Clinton. Strong leadership with an eye towards economic growth and Clinton will begin to turn the corner and move back towards prosperity again.
It is not as simple as Patch asking what kind of business do you want here, but the question does start people thinking.
Clinton can become the shinning jewel of the shoreline if people come together and think outside of the box. Don't be fooled it will cost money.

A gift shop that carries a little bit of everything..

A used book store would be great.

How timely. Just yesterday I book marked an article from Ann Nyberg's Network CT: http://www.networkconnecticut.com/2011/10/09/pop-ups-fill-empty-store-fronts/. It is about filling up empty store fronts with entrepreneurs and new start up businesses testing the water without having to make a huge commitment.

Is this particular location on the market? Perhaps the owners would be interested in this innovative method of filling the store?

I would agree with Mr. Williams comment, "Clinton can become the shinning jewel of the shoreline if people come together and think outside of the box. Don't be fooled it will cost money." My question is, when and how are we going to come together?

I have read all of the comments so far and only a few offer a solution to filling empty store fronts in the center of town. As Phil Williams stated --- Think Outside of the Box!!! First the parking situation needs to be addressed. Why not knock down the "Old Police Station" and make it into a municipal parking lot to entice people to shop downtown. Recently, "Dreamer" Phil Sengle suggested selling this structurely unsound building to some unsuspecting sucker so that it could be turned into a restaurant where he might enjoy a meal while overlooking the Indian River. Sounds great Phil but is it a practical solution? Really Phil? Where would they park? Behind Town Hall? Why not promote the businesses we already have in the area, improve the appearance of downtown and bring commerce to them. Someone previously stated in a recent article that we need to bring tourism to our town. Where would you like them to park? We need to offer real solutions not listen to "Daydreamers!"
One last thing. Phil you stated that some of these buildings are in such poor condition that they should be torn down and redeveloped. I agree. Doesn"t the Old PD fall into this category? What person in their right mind would invest in property in the center of town, renovate it, and try to lease it when there is no place to park? You contradict yourself. But that's just my opinion.

Amen Mr. O! Phil S you gotta calm down and really get over the November loss. Let it go! How is your ranting about "lack of leadership" helping anyone? Contribute to the discussion in a positive manner or just stop, please! It's old now and your losing credibility!

Sarcasm and "in fighting" is not what Clinton needs to become successful. The comments here seem a lot like what's going on in Washington. Come on people we can do this with the right mindset . Work with each other and not against.

I do not have an idea for this particular building, but I would like to see something new in down town Clinton (Maybe the old Police Station?). I do not have an idea of the feasibility for this idea, but I would love to see an art cooperative; a place for local artists to play music, for artisans to display their talents and or have a café in the old police station site. There could be bicycle and kayak rentals, or perhaps one evening a month ethnic and traditional food trucks (like the ones outside of Yale New Haven Hospital) could congregate. I envision live music, street performers, etc. The neighboring “money towns” have a lot to offer, and I think the town of Clinton needs to find a niche, maybe an artisan vibe, and grow from there.

I'd like to see the old police station removed and an open air pavilion installed. It could be slightly raised with a roof ( sort of like the one at the town beach). The design should be in sync with the beautiful gazebo at the town landing and shouldn't cost a fortune. Passersby,both pedestrian and automotive, will have a view through it to the landing and river. Clintonites could enjoy concerts, movies, themed picnics ,flea/tag sales, and etc. with lots of parking already available. Perhaps the site could be rented out for private events...

To renovate the station for moe office space does not bring any vitality to downtown.

Many years ago Clinton, CT was recognized by New Yorkers as the town in CT to go to for the purchase of antiques. We had a niche and one that is worth expanding upon. Many of the ideas proposed in the comments to this article are very good. Brining people (with money) into Clinton should be our collective goal. How we go about building that "magnet" is the challenge. We need to add revenue to the local businesses and to the town money chest. Keeping the old PD on the town owned property list is not moving in the right direction. The value received by doing this for the town at large is what? It will cost us money, as much as $2M reported by some. IF we did spend that amount of money to refurbish the old PD what would be our return on the investment? Simple questions and ones, if answered honestly, will lead us in the right direction.
Let's make sound financial decisions and move Clinton to being the jewel of the shoreline.

I love Monica's vision of the old police station property and the "feel" it would give our town.

Mr. Sengle, I don't find anything useful in your responses due to the constant negativity each one starts or ends with. Clearly you're frustrated with the current admin but all this belly aching isn't going to help solve the problems is it? I'm just saying, it's hard to take you seriously.....

Aside from the political rhetoric, people have presented some great suggestions. I also believe the police dept needs to get off the town books so it can produce revenue and/or provide parking. I'd love to see a coffee shop that's open at night. I like the idea also of taking advantage of the dock and marina traffic to draw people up the river to town. Stay positive!!!

Monica and and Buck99 are bringing great thoughts to the table. I would like to add a thought. Taking Buck99's open air feel to the old PD, how about creating individual market vendors: think-Faneuil Hall or Charleston City Market. Add to it, an amphitheater built into the side knoll of the town hall right behind the Chamber allowing performers of any type to take "stage". Then, gasp, tear out all the pavement and parking behind town hall and make a community garden-Strawberry Bank in Portsmouth comes to mind. Yes, parking needs to be addressed-perhaps we can consider a parking garage behind the Shoreline Appliance Buildings. We would also have to address public septic. Another thought, heading east on RT. 1 work on creating what is in Freeport, ME, outlets and boutiques within the historic buildings. The new building in front of ACE can be a big asset to getting the ball rolling-as Mr. Sengle points out, someone needs to start first. Maybe we should approach CT Based Vineyard Vines to open an outlet location in that new building? Lets keep the ideas and positive dialogue open.

It's so inspiring to hear all these positive comments and ideas. It just goes to show that all of us want the best for Clinton. Keeping an artistic and creative atmosphere is best for our town. That's what will get people to go out of their way to come here. I was talking with friends recently about how great it would be if we could have a micro brew coop/ pub in the Unilever building. It's time the town moves forward with a town plan of conservation and development. I'm on a couple of committees involved in putting forth those plans. This town needs it's residents to get involved, not just talk. If you think you might be interested in becoming involved, go to town hall and speak to Willie. There are several commissions that need volunteers. There is a public information meeting Feb 15 in the green room to learn about the progress of the WPCC. That's one issue that needs action so we can move on with some great plans for the town.

Phil what you might want to do before you contest the structural soundness of the OPD is to research town records back in the mid-90's and reports by a "certified" structural engineer as to the structural integrity of this building. Don't take my word for it by any means. To my knowledge nothing has ever been done to correct this condition. I will agree on one thing -- Why on earth we would want to spend $2m on that building?? Why don't we just throw the money in the Indian River and watch it float away? You can trust that in the 30 plus years I have been in Clinton I as well am looking at what's in the "best" possible future for our town. I am not a politician in the bright spotlight but I work tirelessly behind the scenes to make this a better town.

However in all seriousness those are all great ideas! But we all know that a place for local artists to play music or for artisans to display their talents will not bring in enough revenue. Thats the last thing this town needs is another business closing down.

"There could be bicycle and kayak rentals, or perhaps one evening a month ethnic and traditional food trucks (like the ones outside of Yale New Haven Hospital) could congregate. I envision live music, street performers, etc."

First of all the bike rentals or kayaks will not work in this town, Clinton, CT is not a town that brings in that many tourist where people will come and do stuff like that. People from out of town come to shop at the mall or go to the marina for their boats. Food trucks, live music, etc. CLINTON, CT IS NOT THE VILLAGE IN NYC!! That will never happen and that is some crazy fantasy. Furthermore we need a business for the local people in town! This is our town! People keep saying lets bring in people from out of town. Trust me the mall gets its fair share of out of towners. We need business where local residents can shop and enjoy. A good way to look at what Clinton needs is to look at the surrounding towns around us. What makes them a great community. What do they have that we don't have that makes residents from Clinton go to other towns. Those are the business we need! We need to keep local residents from leaving town to shop. Renovating downtown and the police station would be great asset!

Would love to see a little coffee/tea shop, offering home made goodies....and, I'd love to own it! This town needs good, quality businesses COMING here, not leaving! It's sad to drive into town, from No. High, under the RR bridge to Rte. 1, only to see a darkened Friendly's and an empty lot....The only things that are going to be left here will be gas stations and liquor stores!!! Sad, really.

Clinton still has several nice businesses, some have been here for years, some are new. We do have a sporting goods store, used book store, Encore for all kinds of unique stuff and used books, a Merle Norman, a wedding dress boutique, a Music store, an appliance store, jewelry stores, TJ Maxx, pet stores, Clinton Bootery, Candy Outlet, Grove Gardens, Ace Hardware, Cashman's Hardware, Clinton Floor Store, consignment stores, antique stores, a few chains and more, These are just the retail businesses. Not including services like coffee shops, pizza restaurants, ice cream, Chips Pub, hair salons etc, I can’t list them all. Point is, Clinton has much potential, being located just off I-95, who’s center is located directly on historic RT 1 and having a beautiful shoreline and historical quality. There is a lot going on in Clinton business. What would bring people from other towns into Clinton is the same thing that would keep our residents in town. Businesses and residents aren't leaving in droves. I’ve met several people who have just moved here. Friendly's closed almost all their locations. It had nothing to do with this town. Businesses are closing all over. The internet and unemployment has taken its toll, but it can make us more creative and resourceful. We need to solve the parking problem. We have parking areas, it’s just that they aren’t well marked. We could also have on street parking in some areas, even if it’s only during evening hours.

I did not mean to call out that comment by anyway it was just an interesting comment that I wanted to respond too. However at this point I am not sure what would be good in this town. Seeing as theres open lots at friendly's, next to friendly's, old police station, down town building, and any other vacant lots. Thats a lot of ideas to think about of what to put there. And what I am getting is everyone wants some sort of cafe in all of these locations. I mean I could say put a cafe in this downtown building. But then what do you want to put in the other empty lots? Great comment Cheryl!

My family and I were talking about this in the car today, and we came up with the idea of turning the old PD into easily visible parking to attract more visitors to downtown for shopping, and make a shed for kayak rentals, selling the shed to a private person so that the town gets taxes.
As for the building in question, I personally would like to see a bait shop (since we're on the shoreline, and there's a small dock not far from the shop where people can dock their boats, or to launch the kayaks off of) that also buys and sells the fish people catch. Fresh fish store and a bait market in one.

More good comments and suggestions. BUT YOU'VE GOT TO TELL THE DEMS ON THE BOARD OF SELECTMAN WHAT YOU WANT or they will rehab the old P.D. for govt use. And keep in mind what we ultimately need, before, during or after we fix up RT 1, is larger enterprises that pay significant taxes. A few shops are great, but they won't replace the tax revenue of Unilever or Stanley Bostich. Now I'm guessing that with West Marine building a new and larger store in Old Saybrook, that they will leave also. Since many want a new high school and we are forced to install a waste water treatment system, we should have equal focus on increasing out tax base.

All this talk about the lack of parking in Clinton; What about the lot behind the old Lupone building, the lot behind Chips Pup, the two lots behind Malone’s, not to mention the lots behind the Town Hall and Shore TV. What Clinton needs to do is provide services and an atmosphere that will motivate people to want to park and walk to where they are going. When I visit Essex or Chester I often park and walk; not a big deal. No disrespect to MR. Potesak but of course we are not Greenwich Village, but I do not see why our down town cannot strive to be a little like the Village. The same old- same old has not worked in Clinton why not look toward a different direction or at the very least let’s talk about it. You say Clinton is not a tourist town, maybe in the future it can be. I don’t think we should look to our neighboring towns and copy what is working for them; let us look at our neighbors and see what they are not offering, Clinton can provide that need. We do not need to be like other towns Clinton can be unique and stand out amongst our neighbors. I love Monica’s thoughts on an arts cooperative. I love the idea of ethnic food truck and live music and street performers. I agree with Catherine Zamecnik that “Keeping an artistic and creative atmosphere is best for our town.”

A Taco Bell Or A Dollar Store Would Be Great!! Thankyou

we certainly do not need trash stores in the center of town we need more afluent, positive businesses. thanks!

Currently the town receives no tax income from the old police station...perhaps we should consider giving a substantial tax reduction and/or abatement to an interested/prospective business. It would encourage a new business and would profit the town albeit, minimally at first but, more so later.