Good news on Whiting Street

Many good things have been happening on Whiting Street in Winsted for the past decade, including the success of Whiting Mills artists’ studios at 100 Whiting St., the continued evolution of the American Mural Project right next door and now the rebirth of Hitchcock furniture in this heavily arts-infused zone.Hitchcock tables, chests and hutches will be made in the new shop, also located at 100 Whiting St., where an old mill building houses more than a dozen artists’ studios and local businesses. The resurrection of this historic company is great news for fans of well-crafted furniture and even better news for the Winsted economy, which is yearning for an influx of new businesses.When the Hitchcock company went out of business in its original location in Riverton in 2006, the departure was seen as a blow to that small river community, but the company’s new owners are breathing life back into the area by maintaining a chair-manufacturing location there, while moving production of bigger pieces to Winsted. That’s a winning situation for both towns and an exciting development for anyone who was sad to see Hitchcock go.Congratulations and good luck go out to Hitchcock co-owners Rick Swenson and Gary Hath, along with a warm welcome to the Winsted business and artists’ communities. Hopefully a lasting relationship can be developed, relying on time-honored building techniques and modern business practices.