
MOTORIOT co-founder Jason Doornick stands in the showroom of the new business surrounded by some of the customized classic cars for sale.
Lynn Mellis Worthington
MOTORIOT co-founder Jason Doornick stands in the showroom of the new business surrounded by some of the customized classic cars for sale.
KENT – Area residents seeking to find custom-built classic cars won’t have to leave the town’s borders, thanks to a new business, MOTORIOT, that opened in February on Bridge Street.
For co-founder Jason Doornick, the opportunity to locate a showroom in Kent is coming home. He spent his formative years from age 11 to 17 living here, and his mom still lives in North Kent.
“We chose Kent because it was a familiar territory and the demographic I felt was very fitting for the kind of business I wanted to run,” Doornick said Feb. 17. “I knew that my personality as being a disruptor would kind of shake things up in Kent, which I feel like it needed.”
He further explained that he views Kent as a “conformist town,” and he wants to add a little bit of spice to the community.
“I think there are more opportunities here that people would love to have,” Doornick said, explaining he thinks services such as a car wash in town and a 24-hour automotive help service are future options he’d like to explore, as well as free repairs for single parents who can’t afford car repairs.
“So, when I say ‘disruptor,’ I want people to have a reaction to our business instead of just being like, ‘Oh, it’s another car place,’ ” he said.
Doornick said his goal is for people to have an individualized experience that serves customers’ needs and ultimately creates a culture.
The business is located at 21 Bridge St. at the front of the building. Iron Horse Customs is still at the same address in the rear.
Walking into the showroom, a visitor sees many Land Rovers as well as other vintage vehicles.
After Doornick left Kent, he spent quite a bit of time in Europe as an adult and he observed used Land Rovers that could be purchased from $5,000 to $10,000, and being customized and sold for as much as $400,000.
He realized it was a business opportunity he could take advantage of and, for five years, he has successfully imported and transformed these vehicles.
Anyone interested in a customized original Land Rover Series from MOTORIOT can expect to spend from $30,000 to $45,000. The Land Rover Defender Series is offered from $60,000 to $140,000.
Land Rovers were Doornick’s first focus, but now the business has expanded to many other vehicles, including transforming combustion engines into electric vehicles.
MOTORIOT has one other U.S. showroom — in Stamford — and four located internationally in Spain and Ecuador, with another planned in Colombia.
“We are incredibly excited to bring MOTORIOT to Kent,” said Charles Narwold, the company’s co-founder. “This move represents a significant step in our growth and our commitment to offering our clients a unique experience in classic car restoration and customization.”
Classic cars are legally defined as 25 years old but Doornick said he personally starts the vintage clock at 30 years.
“MOTORIOT’s story is one of continued adventure and a deep appreciation for automotive heritage,” Doornick said.
The business sources vehicles from all over the world and takes care of all the important details, creating a custom design with the new owner and then implement the build.
Kent Chamber of Commerce President Phil Fox said Feb. 20 that the chamber officers are glad to have MOTORIOT join the Kent business community.
“We are thrilled to welcome MOTORIOT into the Kent community as one of our newest businesses,” Fox said. “They bring an exciting niche into our business community here with specialty custom-built vehicles, and already completed amazing vehicles for sale.”
“Specializing in Land Rover vehicles and hard-to-find custom vehicles, they add to our existing automotive mechanical repair shops and our enthusiast automotive retail shops rounding out our automotive community here,” he said.
Fox said he anticipates that the business will attract many automotive enthusiasts from neighboring towns.
Following two days of closure due to a hazmat incident, the BD facility in North Canaan was cleared to resume normal operations on Saturday, May 17.
North Canaan First Selectman Brian Ohler provided an update at 3 p.m. stating day two culture tests of the substance that was sent to BD showed "no growth." Lab tests yesterday were negative for Anthrax, Burkholderia Species, Plague, Tularemia, Smallpox and Ricin.
The information was provided to the town by Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Torrington Area Health District.
"The process of reopening the facility will be orchestrated by BD’s internal leadership. Employees should wait to hear from their leaders, as they may have further instructions and guidance," Ohler stated.
The FBI investigation is ongoing, but reopening the facility will reportedly not interfere with that process.
State, local and federal officials responded to a "hazmat incident" at the Becton, Dickinson and Company facility in the afternoon Thursday, May 15.
Photo by Riley Klein
The Becton, Dickinson and Company facility in North Canaan remains closed as of Friday, May 16, due to hazmat response protocol.
Two employees who opened a suspicious package were hospitalized yesterday as a precaution. They have since been released.
Ken LeClerc, emergency response coordinator for CT DEEP, said in a press conference, "The package was opened inside the building and what we're looking at is primarily a potential airborne contaminant."
At 6 p.m., May 16, North Canaan First Selectman Ohler released an update stating the CT Department of Public Health "received negative PCR test results for Anthrax, Burkholderia Species, Plague, Tularemia, and Smallpox. In addition to those biological tests, a negative Ricin test result was also confirmed. A Day 1 culture test was then performed, which has also resulted in 'no growth.'"
He reiterated there is no risk to the public or adjacent residents.
Ohler stated the incident is isolated to the BD facility and "there has been no symptoms or illnesses reported by the employees who were decontaminated during yesterday’s response."
More than 300 employees went through a decontamination protocol before leaving work yesterday. No injuries were reported.
Ohler stated Friday morning, "The decontamination process that took place yesterday was standard and in practice when an unknown substance is found inside of a facility with a shared ventilation system."
The package was identified as suspicious due to an unusual mailing address. It was taken by FBI agents for testing at the state lab in Rocky Hill.
Ohler added, "While we are still waiting for an exact identity of the substance, we are being told by state DEEP officials that there is no threat to the public, or to the surrounding area near the facility.”
At 1 p.m., Connecticut State Police confirmed, "The FBI has taken over the investigation."
The BD facility in North Canaan is on lockdown May 15 due to a "hazmat incident," according to emergency responders on scene.
Norfolk Public Information Officer Jon Barbagallo said BD "received a suspicious package this morning" and "numerous state and local authorities" responded, including the FBI, CT DEEP, state police, area fire departments and ambulances.
BD, manufacturer of medical devices based in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, employs about 500 workers at its North Canaan facility.
BD released a statement saying, "We are working closely with law enforcement and emergency personnel to thoroughly investigate the situation, and we are following their protocols. Out of an abundance of caution, we have suspended operations until further notice."
"At this time, two individuals have been transported to a nearby hospital as a precaution," a release from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said. "Approximately 300 to 350 personnel at the facility are undergoing a decontamination process as a precautionary measure. DEEP has deployed a contractor to the site to manage the decontamination operation, including shower trailers and the safe collection for clothing for those exiting the facility."
About 300 people are going through a decontamination process after a hazardous material exposure at BD.Photo by Riley Klein
Employees inside were reportedly instructed to remove clothing and shower for decontamination protocol.
A delivery driver attempting to turn down Grace Way was turned away and told the facility could be closed for several days.
A statement received May 15 at 4:40 p.m. from Connecticut State Police stated, "The scene and the investigation is still active, and there is no active threat to the public at this time."
Anna Amachowski and Steve Wilcox of Canaan enjoyed the sunset and some grilled chicken from the top of Tory Hill outside Sharon on Thursday, May 1. They were welcoming in the warm breezes of spring with some fishing and some ridgeline views at the end of a warm evening.
Amachowski and Wilcox's dog, Chuy, enjoyed a soft spot of cool grass and the view over the ridge.Photo by Nathan Miller
Please join us for a Celebration of Life to honor Michael R. Tesoro M.D. (May 20, 1941-—Dec. 25, 2024) whose vibrant spirit touched so many. We will gather on May 17 at 11:30 a.,m. at Trinity Lime Rock to remember Michael’s life with love and laughter.
A light fare reception to immediately follow at the church’s Walker Hall.
Trinity Lime Rock, 484 Lime Rock Rd., Lakeville. In lieu of flowers please direct donations to: Malta House of Care, Inc.,136 Farmington Avenue,Hartford, CT 06105 www.maltahouseofcare.org
SHARON — Keith Raven Johnson, a long-time resident of Sharon, died on April 26, 2025, a month after his 90th birthday, at Geer Rehabilitation and Long -Term Care facility in Canaan.
He was born on March 21, 1935, in Ithaca, New York, the son of John Raven Johnson and Hope Anderson Johnson.
Keith was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and Cornell University where he was editor-in-chief of the Cornell Daily Sun and a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
After serving his active duty in the New York National Guard, he joined the New York Herald Tribune as a reporter in 1957. Four years later he moved to Time magazine where he served as a writer and editor in New York and as a correspondent based in Los Angeles, Washington, Paris and London, with temporary assignments in Africa, Germany, and Vietnam. He was executive editor of Money magazine and later of Discover magazine. He retired as a member of the board of editors of Fortune magazine in 1993.
Before his retirement, Keith served on the vestry at St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City where he was also chair of the Choir School. He later became a member of the Lime Rock Episcopal Church.
After retirement, Keith served on the executive committee of the Lakeville Journal where he also contributed a column called “Cars” reflecting a life-long interest in performance automobiles. He also served as a trustee and treasurer of the Hotchkiss Library in Sharon and was on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut. He was a member of the Cornell University Council and at one time chaired the Advisory Council of the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell.
Keith is survived by his brother, Leonard Johnson, and his wife, Patricia, his son, Stephen Main, his niece, Paige Johnson Roth, his nephew, Keith Raven Johnson II, and his niece, Heide Novado Johnson. He was predeceased by his parents and his nephew, Eric Anderson Johnson.
Donations may be made in Keith’s memory to ACLU of Connecticut, 765 Asylum Avenue, Hartford CT 06015, or Keith Johnson ’52 and Leonard Johnson ’56 Scholarship Fund, Phillips Exeter Academy, 20 Main Street, Exeter NH 03833.
A celebration of Keith’s life will be held on Saturday, July 12 at 11 am at the Lime Rock Episcopal Church, followed by a reception in the parish hall.