New tenants set up shops at Whiting Mills

WINSTED — In the past seven years, the number of tenants at the Whiting Mills building, located on 100 Whiting St., has grown rapidly, transforming the old factory building into a thriving arts community.In the past month, three new tenants have opened shop at the historic building, which was the home to Winsted Hosiery from the late 1800s to the 1960s.There are now 41 tenants at the building, including artists, manufacturers, a fitness studio and retail stores. The three newest tenants are as follows:Justin McEnroeCertified Personal Trainer Justin McEnroe has moved into the building and is sharing Suite 312 with yoga teacher Jan Young.McEnroe was born and raised in Dover Plains, N.Y., and said that, as he grew up, he took an interest in fitness.“Staying healthy and being physically fit has always been a passion of mine,” McEnroe said. “I became a personal trainer because I like working with people to help them achieve a better quality of life. I find it very rewarding to help people achieve higher standards of health. Sometimes it’s as small as getting someone up and moving, other times it’s about getting someone to do 15 pull ups.”McEnroe said that he came up to Winsted because his fiance, Jessica, lives in town.Previously McEnroe worked as the Health and Wellness Coordinator at the Northwest YMCA for two years.McEnroe said that he is offering fitness classes at the studio and offers personal fitness training. For more information, including a schedule of classes, contact McEnroe at 860-201-6627 or email JVMAC29@aol.comThe Quilted EweFabric and knitting supplies are offered at The Quilted Ewe, located at Suites 304/306 at Whiting Mills.The shop opened in early December by New Hartford resident Mary Watt, who said that she has been quilting and knitting for more than 30 years.“I became interested in fabrics when I had my first child and I wanted to make a heirloom quilt,” Watt said. “I was at the Whiting Mills open studios event during the summer and I noticed a few open spaces. I also noticed that there isn’t anywhere within the immediate area where you can get supplies for quilting and knitting. Also, this has been a hobby of mine for many years and I wanted to find a way to get my hobby out of my house.”Watt’s store offers a wide variety of quilting and knitting supplies, including wool Watt made from the sheep that she owns.Watt adds that she plans on offering classes in quilting and the fiber arts in the near future.The store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.For more information call 860-379-3260 or visit the store’s website at www.quiltedewe.com.HnL WoodworkingAfter 18 years of working as a woodworker, Sharon resident Brenda Hall has opened up her own studio, HnL Woodworking, at Suite 106/108 at Whiting Mills.Hall said that she is self taught and loves working with wood.“I just love to create things,” Hall said. “Mostly I am inspired by nature, but I am not limited to it. I am really drawn to wood. I have dabbled in working in other mediums, but I always come back to wood.”Hall creates a wide assortment of handmade furniture, cabinets and functional art pieces at her studio.“I like to call what I create functional art,” Hall said. “I can do and create anything as long as it’s made out of wood. I’ve even done a few pieces made from wood that I have found on the side of the road. To me, it’s rescued art and not firewood.”Hall does not keep regular business hours at her studio but can be reached at 860-480-1021 or by email at hnlwoodworking@gmail.com.She also has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HnLwoodworking.