According to the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, more than 97 percent of businesses in Connecticut are considered small businesses, or businesses with less than 500 employees. These businesses drive the national, state and local economies. Many small businesses are family-owned, while others are businesses that have successfully transitioned to different owners over multiple generations. In recognition of National Entrepreneurship Month, we recognize the oldest commercial businesses founded and continually operating in Granby. We have identified 13 businesses founded more than 40 years ago!
Beman Hardware, Founded 1935 (90 years)
20 Hartford Avenue, Granby
Community hardware store that offers building materials, tools, hardware, paint, lawn and garden supplies. It is a True Value and Benjamin Moore retailer.
Valley Pre-School, Founded 1949 (77 years)
219 North Granby Road, Granby
Partners with families to provide a creative and curiosity-filled environment for three- and four-year-old children to learn and grow in their developmental journey. The school was founded to fill a gap until a kindergarten curriculum was added to the public school system.
Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital, Founded 1953 (73 years)
136 Salmon Brook Street, Granby (original site was Dr. Milkey’s barn on Hungary Road)
Multi-doctor staff provides companion pet and farm/equine care for animals in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts and offers a full range of medical and surgical services, including large animal ambulatory service.
High Meadow Day Camp, Founded 1960 (66 years)
311 North Granby Road, North Granby
Provides a day camp experience for children from 3–15. Camp offers meals, small counselor to camper ratio, swimming pool, groomed sports fields and horseback riding nestled within 100 acres of meadows and woodlands.
Granby Barber and Style, Founded 1961 (65 years)
10 Hartford Avenue, Granby
Provides professional haircuts and styling in a welcoming, comfortable neighborhood barbershop for women, men and children.
Granby Package Store, Founded 1961 (65 years)
469 Salmon Brook Street, Granby
Offers friendly service and a variety of liquor products including beer, wine and spirits. They have been servicing the Granby community from the same location since 1961.
State Line Oil, Founded 1961 (65 years)
500 Salmon Brook Street, Granby
Full-service propane and oil delivery company that provides heating oil and propane delivery, HVAC service, fireplace solutions, and home generators to Central Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.
Strain Family Horse Farm Stable and Horse Sales, Founded 1968 (58 years)
30 Sakrison Road, Granby
Third-generation family business specializing in well-trained, user-friendly horses at reasonable prices. Business supports horse trade-ins, no-charge consignment, saddle shop and horse transportation.
Arrow Concrete Products, Founded 1969 (57 years)
560 Salmon Brook Street, Granby
Leading precast concrete solutions provider in Greater New England area. Its state-of-the art facilities provide products for municipal, commercial and residential projects.
Old Mill Pond Village, Founded 1972 (54 years)
383 Salmon Brook Street, Granby
Cluster of unique, vintage specialty shops, including a Christmas Shop, that sells country decor, Amish furniture, curtains, houseware items, candles, ladies clothing, jewelry, toys and specialty ornaments.
Lost Acres Orchard Farm Store, Founded 1975 (51 years)
130 Lost Acres Road, North Granby
Family farm store, bakery and caterer that specializes in made-from-scratch homemade foods including pies, pastries, cookies, breads, soup and quiche. Seasonally, the porch is open for breakfast and lunch.
Small World Learning and Childcare Center, Founded 1981 (45 years)
257 Salmon Brook Street, Granby
Offers a full-day structured pre-school program with the option of extended care for children 3–5 years old. Childcare is provided during summer vacation and its maximum capacity is 57 children.
Stagecoach Gallery, Founded 1983 (43 years)
585 Salmon Brook Street, Granby
Specializes in the sales and restoration of fine art (Connecticut artists and early 19th and 20th century American impressionism). Provides services for museums, collectors, and family heirlooms.
The Drummer is grateful for the assistance of the Simsbury/Granby Chamber of Commerce, Granby Historical Society and Granby Town Services in compiling this information.