Saturday, July 7, 2012

New Hartford



New Hartford is a charming rural town of 6,000 residents twenty miles west of the City of Hartford.  It looks like Andy Griffiths' Mayberry, if Mayberry had a hippyish edge and a faint smell of stale beer.
U.S. Route 44 runs through the town, providing not enough commercial traffic and more through traffic that doesn't stop at small towns like New Hartford.  The town has multiple churches, a small town green that hosts a farmers market on summer Fridays, and lots of older homes. 

When I stopped in New Hartford yesterday, several shopkeepers suggested places to photograph.  I like New Hartford but wish that business was better for the local merchants.

17 comments:

Malyss said...

A city with so much benches, flowers, and beautiful shops can't be a bad place!I find it very welcoming!

VP said...

a hippyish edge and a faint smell of stale beer... You made me laugh!

Kate said...

Although too often neglected commercially and economically, these small towns have a great deal of appeal and much to offer.

Birdman said...

I'm sure in it's own 'special way' Mayberry did. Well, at least the stale beer.

Lois said...

Now this is my kind of place!

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

If there is to be the smell of stale beer, it should be a faint smell.

Looks like a charming town. It is tough for small town merchants to compete with the chain stores and shopping malls.

Congratulations on the second anniversary of your blog, and your busy and rewarding retirement. Sorry that I am a day late. I did not get a chance to visit my favorite blogs yesterday. Those of us not yet retired have the inconvenience of work intruding into the elusive attempts to achieve work-life balance.

Unknown said...

Look at how many different birdhouses for sale! New Hartford looks lovely.

Lowell said...

It's a gorgeous little town! I do believe I watched an HGTV segment where a couple bought a house just outside of New Hartford. I think "charming" is a perfect word to describe it. Although it could be a tiny bit boring after a while. I'd probably have to go to Hartford to get re-energized. :-)

Sylvia K said...

That looks like my kind of place! Great captures for the day, Jack! Wish I could spend some time there! Looks like you had lovely blue skies!

Sylvia

Halcyon said...

What a cute and charming place! I love all the flower baskets. :)
If I ever make it to Hartford, I'll make sure to stop in New Hartford as well.

Sharon said...

Such a charming and quiet place! I'd stop to take a look at those fancy birdhouses.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

It does look like a lovely spot, beautifully shown here Jack, it's such a shame that when they plan and build major new roads that they don't think of the damage to small business when it runs straight by the smaller towns.

cieldequimper said...

If all the shops are like that last photo, don't let me loose...

RedPat said...

Times are tough in so many places. Such a pretty little town!

Randy said...

Sounds like a place I would like to visit. I surely would visit that store in the last shot.

EG CameraGirl said...

I love to visit places like this.Often people who work in places like this choose lifestyle over money.

jennyfreckles said...

It looks a charming place - pity the traffic whizzes past, people miss treat.