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LaSalle owners look to enhance customer experience, retain eatery’s vibe

Group says venture is also an expansion of supporting disability community 


By John Fitts 

Staff Writer 

“Pizza Artist” Sage Taylor prepares a pizza dough. All told, has worked at LaSalle for nearly 12 years.

COLLINSVILLE – The non-profit organization that now owns LaSalle Market & Deli has added features such as a new point of sale system, online ordering, improved WiFi, and engaging social media posts. 

And while those at New Britain based CW Resources are excited about other ideas to serve both the disabled community and LaSalle customers, owners say the restaurant’s comfortable atmosphere will remain. 

Bill Green, president of the not-for-profit organization that has supported people with disabilities since 1964, considers items such as those listed above as enhancements. The heart of this Collinsville institution will not change, he said. 

“We are stewards of this institution now. We’ll add our touches to it but keep LaSalle, LaSalle,” Green said. “There are so many regulars here; it’s their place so that’s why you don’t make too many changes but …. we really want to see what the local clientele would like to see from us and try to accommodate that as best possible.”

“We’re trying to keep the same wonderful vibe and presence and everything that LaSalle offers to the community and find ways to make it a little fresher and a little more modern.” added Stacy Walsh-Demonte, Marketing coordinator at CW.

The 104 Main St. location was once home to Keney Market, operated for many years by the late Salvatore P. Cecere.

State records show the LaSalle Market and Deli was registered with a Collinsville address in November of 1984 by members of the Mainello family, who, for many years, had operated LaSalle Market on LaSalle Road in West Hartford. 

Both LaSalle locations ran simultaneously for a time and the Collinsville location was run by John Mainello through 1997. 

Members of the Mainello family, including John’s grandfather Frank, had originally operated a fruit and vegetable business in Hartford, as early as the 1920s or possibly earlier, said John Mainello’s wife, Gale. 

Decades later, when the Sinatro family was developing business locations on LaSalle Road in West Hartford, they built a store for Frank’s sons Robert and Dom Mainello, she said. Naturally it was called LaSalle Market. 

(The LaSalle name, according to historical accounts, came from Allen Seth Griswold, who - after 1926 - renamed a portion of West Hartford’s Arapahoe Road to LaSalle Road - after his favorite automobile). 

John Rainey took over the reins of the Collinsville LaSalle Market & Deli circa 1997, according to town documents. While it had already been successful deli, Rainey greatly reduced the grocery space at the location, and expanded the restaurant operations and seating, a trend that continued under the subsequent owners, Scott and Eileen Kaminski, who took over in 2007. 

CW Resources took the reins of the eatery – and purchased the 104 Main St. building – in late December of 2023. 

Kitchen manager Leandra Hynick puts the finishing touches on a pair of Turkey BLT sandwiches on sourdough.

After closing for just a couple days, the owners reopened the doors to LaSalle and have continued offering its trademark sandwiches, pizza slices and other offerings, with a new tagline of Tastes Good, Does Good. 

Beer and wine sales have been on hold as the company is applying for a liquor license – a state requirement due to the change in ownership. Nearly all the previous employees stayed on. 


The new owners said the open mic, which will include an enhanced sign-up system, is set to resume the first Friday in February. CW is also looking at other opportunities to support the community in the spirit of the long-running Give Back Series – which involved monthly Saturday night concerts to raise funds for those in need.  

CW is also hoping to expand hours of operation. One focus is Mondays. The restaurant has long been closed Mondays, but CW would like to open its doors that day – but with a different type of experience and perhaps a limited menu.  While the details are a work in progress, the idea is to use it as a training tool for those in the disability community that might be interested in the restaurant business. Green said it could be an extension of the company’s efforts to help special education students transfer from the classroom to the workplace. 

“We are thinking of using this as part of that program to allow these individuals to learn about the food industry, learn what it’s like to make a pizza, learn what it’s like to work the line, learn what it’s like to be the dishwasher… what it’s like to run the cash register …. and see if this would be something they’re interested in,” Green said. “Not only could we serve the community and be open, but we can provide probably dozens of students the opportunity to be exposed to food service – because it’s hard to make a decision on what you want to do when you’ve never had the opportunity to work. So, this is a great opportunity, and the people here are just so supportive and friendly. It will be a great environment to introduce them to.”

The hope, he added, is to get that program going sometime in the Spring and it could potentially lead to employment opportunities if positions open up or new ones are created through additional operating hours. 

“It will be disabled and non-disabled workers here side by side but if we do our job correctly, you won’t notice it. They’re just integrated and productive members of the LaSalle team,” he said. 

Green, a current Avon resident who formerly lived in Canton, has a little experience in providing jobs, having been at CW Resources for approximately 40 years, starting as a job coach and working for many years in the contract services division. The non-profit, for example, is a large federal contractor, providing custodial, food services, grounds maintenance and other services at several military bases. It also runs a large federal commissary program providing receiving, custodial and shelf stocking services. There are other ventures as well. 

“We currently have over 1,500 people with significant disabilities on our payroll – all earning competitive wages,” Green said, adding that the non-profit’s reach is as far west as Anchorage, Alaska and as far south as Key West, Florida. 

The company also works with private businesses to employ people and is continually looking to expand its reach. CW, however, acknowledges that it is sometimes difficult to get a business to come on board. 

“We are looking for new opportunities so that people with disabilities and socio-economic issues have opportunities other than those lines of business,” said Wendy Schrlau, Communications Manager for CW. Some of their clients do have limited schedules or require special accommodations but CW facilitates those needs. 

LaSalle during a December open mic at the restaurant.

“Anyone with a disability that needs any special accommodations – we’ll do that. We’re not asking the employer to go out of pocket; we will take care of that,” she said. “But what we’ve found is that is does scare off a lot of employers. So, by purchasing our own businesses, we are now providing new opportunities.”

Green said businesses who do contract with CW find it especially rewarding but he doesn’t begrudge those who have hesitated. 

“Employing people with significant disabilities is challenging. Asking an employer to hire someone with special needs and making accommodations is difficult and although we are successful doing that and we do that on a daily basis, we find it much easier to become the employer,” Green said. “If someone needs to only work a couple days a week, needs additional breaks, needs additional support, we don’t have to ask permission. We’re the employer, we can accommodate them.”

Last November, CW purchased Lucky You Flowers, a company that started in Simsbury. CW is currently running the business at its headquarters in New Britain and, as more people are trained and on board, will likely move it to its West Hartford facility. 

As for LaSalle, Green found out it was for sale and thought it a great opportunity as well. 

“I’ve eaten here countless times over the last 30 years, but I was actually going through businesses for sale as part of our strategic plan and I saw LaSalle pop up and I immediately gave Eileen [Kaminski] a call,” he said. 

“I thought this would be a great opportunity for the organization. We’re looking to diversify – provide different jobs and different opportunities and that’s how Lucky You falls in. Not everyone can work in a restaurant, not everyone can do grounds maintenance, but I have people who are interested in flower arrangements, that can help decorate the boxes, can help with the shipping or billing. People with disabilities are just like everyone else. They have different interests, different skills, different dreams, and the more jobs we can create, the more diversity we create – the more opportunities for the people we serve.”

Green acknowledged that there are a lot of costs associated with purchasing and maintaining the building and business but he is optimistic it can be sustaining and make enough to support it and other efforts. 

“We hope that this endeavor not only pays for itself but actually can help support other activities, like our Meals on Wheels division,” he said. “Every year we lose hundreds of thousands of dollars feeding the elderly but it’s an important job. It’s an important thing we do, so we continued to do that. We’re only able to do that because we have other resources to support that.”


A CW employee counts and packages binder clips on the production floor of the company’s headquarters.

But Green is keenly aware that some in the area struggle themselves and one aspect he’s looking to add are items to the LaSalle menu that cost less than most offerings. The non-profit is also looking at its current offerings to see if any prices can be tweaked in the customers’ favor. 

“Food costs have gone through the roof, and it’s driven the cost of the items up, but we can look to provide at least an option on a daily basis – so someone can come in and get a reasonably priced meal,” he said. “Having reasonably priced options is important to us. We are researching our pricing and seeing what we can do.”

Another menu tweak based on requests is a vegan sandwich – complete with a social media contest to help design it.

“The winning sandwich will become a menu item,” Schrlau said. 

Other possible additions in the work include delivery and more readily available to-go items. 

Green also noted that there might be some additions to the market side of LaSalle with more tie ins with local food producers.

“The market piece of LaSalle we’re looking to reinvent that a little bit and showcase more local products,” Green said. 

CW is also excited about staying involved with community organizations like Canton Main St. Inc. and support its activities such as the Collinsville Farmers Market and summer concert series. 

“We also want to get involved in the town. The previous owners did a great job with that,” said Walsh-Demonte. “We want to be just as involved.”


LaSalle Market & Deli 

• 104 Main St., Collinsville 

• 860-693-8010 

https://lasallemarket.com (Online ordering can be found here/ site to be updated in time.)

Facebook, Instagram: Search LaSalle Market and Deli 


The sandwich board at LaSalle Market & Deli



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Valley Happenings

UPDATED:

Fighting Cancer Pasta Dinner:

Benefit for Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Dave Theriault

Sunday, February 23, 2025, 3:00-7:00 p.m. 

Farmington Polo Club, 162 Town Farm Road, Farmington

 

AVFD Deputy Chief of Administration Dave Theriault is facing a tough battle against Stage 4 cancer. The AVFD, along with Tunxis Hose Co. No. 1 and the Farmington Fire Department, is holding a pasta dinner to help raise money for Chief Theriault’s medical expenses. Cheese and crackers from 3:00-4:00 p.m., buffet from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and coffee and dessert from 6:00-7:00 p.m. In addition to delicious food, drinks, and camaraderie, the event will feature dozens of raffle prizes. Event tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 10 years old. They can be purchased at the door or online at www.HometownFoundation.org Contributions can be made via Venmo @supportDave or by mail to the AVFD at 25 Darling Drive, Avon, CT 06001. 

Canton Community Health Fund Applications

Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. Opens 2025 Application Season, on March 1, 2025, for Canton Community Partner Grants & Canton Scholars Pursuing Careers in Healthcare or Public Safety Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. (CCHF), opens its grant and scholarship application season March 1. CCHF encourages State of CT certified non-profits serving the Canton community to apply for Community Partner grants. In addition, graduating high school seniors seeking higher education in healthcare or public safety are invited to apply for either a Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship or a Pay It Forward Scholarship. Applications and informative Fact Sheets are available online at www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org.  Community Partner Grant and Scholarship awards will be announced in June/2025.

 

Avon Library events

AVON –The following events are scheduled at Avon Free Public Library. The library is at Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. All programs are in person except where noted. For more information on adult programs, contact Adult Services Reference Desk via avonref@avonctlibrary.info 860-673-9712 x 7203

• Antique Map Collecting 101, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/event/antique-map-collecting/

• Morning Book Club. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m., The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/events/tag/morning-book-club/

• Meditation for Balance and Inner Contentment. (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 pm.

• Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

• Fashion and the First Lady (Virtual Event). Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

• Hoop Skirts to Flappers: Eighty Years of Connecticut Fashion. Monday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

• The Golden Age of Hollywood. (Virtual Event) Tuesday, March 4 at 2 pm.

 

Simsbury Lions Club

The Simsbury Lions Club is looking for people interested in volunteering and contributing to better our town. Our motto is “We serve,” and we do so by volunteering at local events and donating our proceeds to serving interests in our community.

If interested, please feel free to contact Sandy Kremer at Tprkremer@gmail.com or Philip Painchaud at painchaudp@gmail.com.”

 

Winter sowing workshop

The Farmington Land trust is hosting a winter sowing workshop focused on raising native plants. Make your own up-cycled greenhouse from a milk jug and prep some beneficial native plants for the coming growing season. Sunday, Feb 2 from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Farmington Senior Center. RSVP here: https://www.farmingtonlandtrust.org/event-details/winter-sowing-seminar-native-seed-planting

 

Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall

CANTON – The Cherry Brook Garden Club is hosting a lecture on “Following Our Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall” on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Canton Community Center, lower level, 40 Dyer Avenue. Steve Messier, Lichenologist and former Science teacher at Canton High School will discuss the topic. The lecture is open to the public. There is a $5 guest fee for non-members. Email questions to cherrybrookgardenclub@gmail.com.

 

‘Five Wishes’ at McLean

SIMSBURY – Join Kevin Baran, M.D., medical director, and the McLean Hospice Team for a special “McLean & Me Educational Series” presentation to learn how to talk about and record your wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. The presentation will be held at McLean’s Garmany Performing Arts Center, 50 Sarah Lane, Simsbury, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The presentation is free but an RSVP by Feb. 4 is required as seating is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

To register, visit McLeanCare.org/Events, email Margaret.Clark@McLeanCare.org, or call 860-658-3718.

 

‘Art Throb!’ Exhibit

Gallery on the Green presents “Art Throb!” Exhibit plus a Solo Exhibit by Kathi Packer Friday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, March 15. An opening reception is on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free.

“Art Throb!” is a heartfelt Valentine’s Day celebration presented by the membership of Canton Artists’ Guild. The artists use a wide range of media including painting, prints, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media to represent the emotional intensity, joy and complexity of love.

In the upstairs Gallery, Kathi Packer has a solo show, “Another Tale.”  Packer notes that a friend’s casual invitation to go on safari in 2008 substantially changed the direction of her artistic journey.The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible.

Website: http://www.galleryonthegreen.org; Phone:  860-693-4102

 

TABLESCAPES fundraiser returns to benefit the new

Avon History Museum

AVON – The Avon Historical Society invites the public to its sixth TABLESCAPES event showcasing up to 30 creative and original table settings on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at the historic North House, 1 Nod Road, Avon.

This event will feature themed table settings from local professional designers, florists, businesses, individuals, artists and others featuring fresh floral arrangements, centerpieces and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the installation of professionally curated exhibits in the new Avon History Museum scheduled to open on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Back by popular demand will be a “Table and Barware Tag Sale” on both days. Admission to TABLESCAPES includes the tag sale. Tickets are $20 each pre-sale and at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.avonhistoricalsociety.org or by calling Mary Harrop at 860-670-3225 before March 8.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can also call Harrop.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group

FARMINGTON – Hearts, Hugs & Hope: An Alzheimer’s Support Group takes place Feb. 20, 2025, 6 p.m. at Farmington Station Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 111 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group is being offered both in person and via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month. If you plan to attend, contact Director of Compass Programming Katherine Jedynasty at kjedynasty@farmingtonslr.com.

 

Used book sale

AVON - A huge book sale will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 in St. Ann’s Church Hall, 289 Arch Road at Route 167.  Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($5 adult admission) and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no admission fee).

Thousands of books will be organized in separate sections, including Fiction, History, Biography, Politics, Children, Music, Cooking, Sports, Art, Vintage, and more!  A large selection of Children’s books will be available.  Fiction books will be divided by hardcover, paperback, and trade paperback and sorted alphabetically by author.  DVDs, CDs, books on CDs, Vinyl records, and puzzles will be available, also.  Most books will be $3 or less with vintage and specialty books priced higher.

 

Daisy Days: All-Girls Summer Day Camp Experience

FARMINGTON – Miss Porter’s School, a renowned institution with a legacy of empowering young women, is excited to announce the launch of Daisy Days, an all-new day camp for girls entering grades 3-5 this fall. Starting this summer, Daisy Days will offer a unique, joy-filled experience designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and inspire self-discovery in an empowering all-girls environment.

For additional details, visit pcgl.porters.org/daisy-days.

 

Artist demonstration

Avon Arts Association will hold a guest artist demonstration featuring  Granby artist Laura Eden on Tuesday, February 18 at  Avon Town Hall, 60 W. Main St., lower level, at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Eden will demonstrate egg tempera painting.

The demo is free and open to the public ($5 suggested donation). A workshop with Ms. Eden will be held at the same location in the Avon Room on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10-2 with  set up at 9:30. Fee: $45 for members, $55 for nonmembers). www.AvonArts.org

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