Let's fill some storefronts!

WINSTED — With the Laurel City and the state suffering from a financial crisis, you can look at Winsted’s many empty storefronts in one of two ways: as a terrible tragedy or a wonderful opportunity. We’d prefer to take the latter approach.

Yes, there are at least a dozen empty storefronts along the main stretch in Winsted, with more on the side streets. Some of them, like the old Deluxe Package Store, pictured right, are already in the process of being converted. In the case of that property, a new Chinese restaurant is in the works.

Over at 68 Main St. — home of two previous coffee shops — a new coffee shop is percolating. A business meet-and-greet was held there with the Friends of Main Street organization this week, in celebration of new businesses. Other new businesses include an arcade planned next to Zuli’s Pizza, a cellphone store on Elm Street and a new Q Buns sandwich shop next to Mario’s Tuscany Grill.

Unfortunately, there are other properties, like the old Capitol Products building and the Barrett Enterprises building right next-door, that continue to be unsightly empty shells and are begging for development. The old Lambert Kay building is still empty, despite attempts by the town to market it, and several smaller properties remain vacant, including the old Ivery & Dudley pharmacy, Wendy’s restaurant and Laurel Lanes bowling center.

If you combine all of this with the fact that many businesses in Winsted are still surviving — and even thriving — you might come to the conclusion that the glass is half full. Now all we have to do is fill it up.