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cinder + salt Celebrates Grand Opening of New Custom Printing Showroom in Bristol
BRISTOL, CT - September 30, 2026: cinder + salt, a Bristol-based eco-friendly apparel brand and custom printing studio, will celebrate the grand opening of its new custom printing showroom at 409 Broad Street in Bristol on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The public is invited to join the celebration from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m., with a ribbon cutting scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
The new showroom gives customers the opportunity to explore hundreds of customizable apparel styles for businesses, corporate events, family reunions, community organizations, teams, and more. The event will be attended by representatives of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce and local City of Bristol dignitaries.
Founded in 2014, cinder + salt specializes in custom screen-printed and embroidered apparel and accessories. The company distinguishes itself through its commitment to environmental sustainability and its hands-on approach to printing. Its work is produced by artists in a low-impact, nearly zero-waste print shop, using recycled inks and a 45+-year-old press.
“After a year of renovating the building, I am SUPER excited to invite the Bristol community to our Custom Printing Showroom,” said Rachel DeCavage, Owner and Creative Director of cinder + salt. “It has been a few years in the works, and I look forward to new connections, partnerships and the opportunity to help create branded apparel that business owners will love.”
The decision to purchase and renovate 409 Broad Street grew out of increasing demand for cinder + salt’s custom apparel services. The company had received numerous inquiries from its retail customers about custom apparel and saw an opportunity to expand those services when its previous leased location was sold in 2025. The new property provides both the production space needed to grow and a customer-facing showroom where clients can meet with the team and explore their options in person.
“Having a local, creative resource where businesses and community members can sit down with artists, see apparel options firsthand and develop their ideas is a tremendous asset to our business community,” said Katie D’Agostino, President & CEO of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. “cinder + salt represents so much of what makes our region’s small businesses special - entrepreneurship, creativity, community connection and a commitment to doing business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. We are thrilled to celebrate this exciting investment in Bristol.”
For DeCavage, cinder + salt is about much more than apparel. The company’s name and identity were inspired by the experiences and memories associated with time spent in nature, while its philosophy centers on sustainability and what DeCavage describes as “eco-optimism.” Her original artwork is typically drawn with Sharpie marker and then hand-printed by DeCavage or her team using recycled inks.
The new showroom also provides a more personal alternative to the increasingly online and automated custom-printing experience. Customers can work directly with cinder + salt’s team of artists, ask questions in real time and develop their custom apparel ideas with a local creative team. DeCavage, a longtime Bristol resident, said the new location has already provided opportunities to connect with fellow business owners and members of the community.
The expansion is also expected to create additional employment opportunities. cinder + salt currently employs six people and plans to hire for multiple positions later this year and in early 2027.
In addition to its custom screen-printing and embroidery services, cinder + salt operates a retail store in Chatham, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, and sells its original apparel designs online. All designs are created by DeCavage and printed by hand in their low-impact, sustainability-focused Bristol print studio.
The community is invited to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting on Thursday, October 22, from 3:30–7:00 p.m. at 409 Broad Street, Bristol, Connecticut, and to learn more about cinder + salt’s custom apparel services and original apparel collection.
Central CT Chamber members are encouraged to register to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony in advance at CentralCTChambers.org.
To learn more about cinder + salt, visit cinderandsalt.com and follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/cs.print.studio, Instagram at instagram.com/cs.print.studio, TikTok at tiktok.com/@cinderandsalt, and Pinterest at pinterest.com/CinderAndSalt
Central CT Chambers of Commerce to Host Ribbon Cutting for AEM Accounting
The Central CT Chambers of Commerce is proud to host a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of AEM Accounting LLC on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. The event will take place at the firm’s new office located at 304 Main Street, Suite 410, Farmington, CT.
Established in 2023, AEM Accounting LLC is a boutique accounting firm specializing in serving small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The firm provides outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, accounting services, and accounting process implementation. With a team of two employees, AEM Accounting is uniquely positioned to offer personalized, high-quality financial guidance tailored to the specific needs of business owners and nonprofit leaders.
AEM Accounting LLC is proud to announce the grand opening of its new location, expanding its commitment to serving small businesses and nonprofits with clarity, accuracy, and trusted financial guidance. The new office creates a welcoming space for clients to engage in strategic conversations about bookkeeping, accounting, and tax planning. This expansion reflects the firm’s continued growth and dedication to helping organizations build stable, sustainable financial foundations within the community.
Owner Ashleigh Martin has 15 years of experience from a mid-sized regional accounting firm. During her tenure, she recognized a significant gap in reliable, accurate accounting support for small businesses and nonprofits.
“We opened these doors to create a place where business owners and nonprofits feel supported, informed, and confident in their financial decisions,” said Martin. “My hope is that this space becomes a steady resource for clarity, growth, and honest conversations about money. When our clients thrive, our community does too.”
After 18 months in a shared office environment, the firm expanded into a private office space to continue its growth and enhance client service. AEM Accounting hopes to become a trusted resource throughout the region while growing its footprint and community involvement in the years ahead.
“Katie D’Agostino, President & CEO of the Central CT Chambers of Commerce, shared, ‘We are excited to welcome AEM Accounting to the regional business community and to our Chamber family. Ashleigh’s commitment to serving small businesses and nonprofits fills an important need in our region. We look forward to supporting AEM’s continued growth and celebrating their success.’”
The ribbon cutting ceremony is open to Chamber members. Members are encouraged to register in advance at CentralCTChambers.org.
To learn more about AEM Accounting, visit www.aem-accounting.com and follow them on Instagram at instagram.com/aemaccounting.
For more information about the event or the Central CT Chambers of Commerce, visit CentralCTChambers.org.
Capital Workforce Partners Announces New Bristol Office Location at Central CT Chambers of Commerce
Hartford and Bristol, CT (December 31, 2025) - Capital Workforce Partners (CWP) announced today that its Bristol American Job Center (AJC) will relocate to 440 North Main Street, Bristol, inside the Central CT
Chambers of Commerce, effective January 5, 2026. The new location will be staffed with on-site AJC representatives and continue to serve job seekers, employers, and community partners throughout Bristol and Northern Connecticut.
The new Bristol location will serve as a hub for workforce services, offering job seekers access to employment resources, training opportunities, and individualized support, while creating closer connections between workforce development efforts and the local business community.
“This new location allows us to continue serving Bristol and the surrounding region in a way that is accessible, collaborative, and closely connected to both job seekers and employers,” said Alex Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Capital Workforce Partners. “By partnering with the Central CT Chambers of Commerce and co-locating with trusted community and workforce partners, including the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and BristolWORKS! we are strengthening our ability to deliver services, support economic growth, and ensure residents have clear pathways to employment and training opportunities.”
This move reflects CWP’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, collaboration, and meeting job seekers where they are, while strengthening partnerships that support regional workforce development.
“We’re excited to welcome Capital Workforce Partners and the American Job Center to our office,” said Katie D’Agostino, President & CEO of the Central CT Chambers of Commerce. “This partnership, along
with BristolWORKS! strengthens our ability to connect businesses and residents with critical workforce resources and ensures our region continues to have access to the support needed to grow and succeed.”
“The Department of Aging and Disability Services, through our Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, is pleased to continue our collaboration with Capitol Workforce Partners by offering services at this new location. We welcome the opportunity to remain accessible to individuals with disabilities in the greater
Bristol community while strengthening our partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and its members,” said David Doukas, Director, Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services.
The Bristol office is one of several Capital Workforce Partners locations serving communities across Northern Connecticut. Additional information about services, hours, and how to connect with a CWP Navigator are available at (860) 406-3374, (860)-899-3500 or capitalworkforce.org.
PRESS RELEASE: Central CT Chambers of Commerce Awarded Grant to Continue Push Toward a More Energy Efficient Business Community Funding awarded through the Energize Connecticut℠ Community Partnership Initiative
BRISTOL, Conn., October 28, 2025 – Recently, the Sponsors of Energize ConnecticutSM Eversource and Avangrid, Inc. subsidiaries United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, awarded the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce with a $50,000 Community Partnership Initiative grant for the second consecutive funding round.
In an effort to make energy efficiency affordable and accessible to all, the Community Partnership Initiative grants enable local community groups, nonprofit organizations and municipalities to further energy efficiency adoption and educate residents and businesses on the energy efficiency solutions available to them.
“At the Chamber, we’re committed to strengthening the communities we serve — both for the people who live here and the businesses that drive our local economy,” said Katie D’Agostino, President & CEO of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. “Through the last grant session, we saw firsthand the positive difference energy efficiency programs can make, and we’re proud of that progress. Looking ahead, we’re eager to continue that work over the next year and beyond, giving businesses the tools they need to cut costs, improve efficiency, and achieve real, lasting savings.”
Those who have already gone through the no cost, no obligation energy assessment say the process was easy and the savings being realized will have a positive long-term effect on their finances.
“We are funded by all the taxpayers in the state, so it's important to spend our money wisely,” said Mary Etter, executive director of the Bristol Adult Resource Center. “Spending less of it on energy means we can spend more on our activities, our staff and our programs.”
The grant awarded to the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce will support outreach to encourage participation in the Small Business Energy Advantage program and focus on achieving energy efficiency goals. Central Connecticut Chambers staff and associates will work with community members, stakeholders, small business owners, business groups and organizations to promote and increase participation in the Companies' Small Business Energy Advantage program in the communities that they serve. The Chamber will also be partnering with the New Britain Downtown District this grant cycle to increase energy efficiency awareness in New Britain in addition to Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plainville, Plymouth, Thomaston, and Wolcott.
This is the third round of funding the Sponsors of Energize CT have awarded in their efforts to support Connecticut residents and businesses to make smart energy choices.
“The Energize Connecticut Community Partnership Initiative is a powerful way to connect with customers in historically underserved communities,” said Eversource Director of Energy Efficiency Stephen Bruno. “This Initiative has proven how localized outreach drives greater participation in energy efficiency programs, helping residents and business owners to reduce their energy usage year-round.”
“We are eager to work with the selected participants to increase access to energy efficiency in our communities, and the participants of this year’s Community Partnership Initiative represent a range of organizations who can help make that happen,” said Senior Manager of Conservation and Load Management at United Illuminating, Connecticut Natural Gas, and Southern Connecticut Gas Marissa Westbrook. “We have no doubt that each participant will go above and beyond with their energy efficiency program outreach and will see first-hand the many benefits of these important upgrades within their communities.”
If your business is looking for more information, please contact the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce by visiting centralctchambers.org/energy-efficiency.
For more information on the Community Partnership Initiative, please visit EnergizeCT.com.
Back to Chamber News January 13, 2025 j.burnham@centralctchambers.org PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Johnny Burnham, Vice President, Central CT Chambers of Commerce Email: j.burnham@centralctchambers.org Phone: (860) 584-4724 Central CT Chambers of Commerce…
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Back to Chamber News November 1, 2024 j.burnham@centralctchambers.org PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Johnny Burnham, Vice President, Central CT Chambers of Commerce Email: j.burnham@centralctchambers.org Phone: (860) 584-4724 THE WOLCOTT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE…
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Back to Chamber News July 10, 2024 j.burnham@centralctchambers.org PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Johnny Burnham, Vice President, Central CT Chambers of Commerce Email: j.burnham@centralctchambers.org Phone: (860) 584-4724 Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce…
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Back to Chamber News April 15, 2024 The Bristol Press BRISTOL – Bella Mia Salon, located at 780 King St., is Bristol’s latest full service beauty salon. Owned by Chelsea Cyr, the salon opened Feb.…
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Back to Chamber News PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Johnny Burnham, Vice President, Central CT Chambers of Commerce Email: j.burnham@centralctchambers.org Phone: (860) 584-4724 BRISTOL, Conn., March 11, 2024 – Recently, the Sponsors…
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Back to Chamber News March 1, 2024 The Bristol Press BRISTOL – The Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce is bringing back its “Everything Expo” March 21 at DoubleTree by Hilton. The event is a combination…
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Back to Chamber News February 29, 2024 The Bristol Press BRISTOL – City and Chamber leaders welcomed Beauty by Julia, a European-style nail salon, to N. Main Street Thursday. The nail salon is owned by…
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Back to Chamber News PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Johnny Burnham, Vice President, Central CT Chambers of Commerce Email: j.burnham@centralctchambers.org Phone: (860) 584-4724 BRISTOL – February 28, 2024 – The Central Connecticut…
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Back to Chamber News The Bristol Press PLYMOUTH – Town and Chamber leaders celebrated the opening of Rebel Cutz in downtown Terryville. A ribbon cutting was held at the unisex salon at 209 Main St.,…
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Back to Chamber News The Bristol Press BRISTOL – The Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce hosted a panel of lobbyists from the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) Thursday during its Legislative Breakfast at DoubleTree…
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