Picture Enfield - Then And Now

ENFIELD, CT — After trying for a very long time, I finally acquired a photo of one of my favorite places to go in Enfield during the 1970s: Enfield Dairy Bar on South Road. Thank you to Pam (Cimino) Schweitzer for sending us the picture of her father's business, which featured the best ice cream and sandwiches in town (and anyone who has seen my physique knows I know a lot about dining spots in town).

Brothers Joseph and John Cimino and their cousin Francis Cimino started the restaurant at 182 South Road in 1965; in fact, veteran residents of Enfield still refer to it as "Cimino's."

Pam told me, "I can still see all the acres of pasture and cows across the street. There was nothing there at all when my father had the restaurant built. My family owned all that land and it was farm land. Many acres were bought from us by State of CT to build Route 91. Restaurant in the middle of just farm lands ... until a few years later when the industrial park was built. My father had so much incredible business from the industrial park."

Francis Cimino passed away in 1967. Eventually, Joseph Cimino sold his share of the business to his brother and started several other ventures, the most successful being the T'ville Tavern, which he ran from 1990 until 2005.

John Cimino passed away in 1995 at age 64; late that year, the building was sold to the Tobacco Valley Teachers Federal Credit Union, which still operates there today. Joseph Cimino died in 2015 at age 85.

To this day, every time I drive by the location, I swear I can still smell the burgers cooking. It was truly one of the greatest family-owned businesses Enfield has ever known. Tell us your favorite memory of this wonderful establishment.

Here is a more contemporary view of the building, courtesy of the Enfield town assessor's office.

Last week's trivia answer:
Last week's trivia question was, "After whom was the Little League baseball field behind Kosciuszko Junior High School originally named (first and last name please)?" The answer: Anthony Kennedy; the first Little League diamond behind the school was known as Kennedy Field, which was ironic considering Kennedy Junior High School was Kosciuszko's crosstown rival at the time. The facility is currently known as the Joseph F. Petronella Little League Baseball Complex. Larry Avery was the first person with the correct answer.

This week's trivia question:
A street on the eastern side of town was formerly called Summer Avenue, but is now known by what name? Under your real name, post the answer in the comments section below (we'll see who follows directions). The first correct respondent will win their choice: a Patch prize pack worth at least a buck and a half, or a big kiss from Pat Droney.

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