New Energy in Bantam

The Borough of Bantam has become a hot spot for the arts as well as a destination of sorts for locals and out-of-towners alike.

The one-square-mile Bantam Borough has pretty much everything a center needs: businesses that range from art galleries to fine dining to a historic cinema that has been renovated and refurbished.

“We are very pleased to see all the activity in Bantam,” said Dick Sheldon, warden of the Borough. “We are very pro-business and so to see what has happened is rewarding for us.’

Darin Ronning, co-owner of Bantam Tileworks which features magical handmade tiles and other items, said, “Bantam has been a great location for us (his partner is Travis Messenger) because so many people who visit appreciate having a unique, handmade product that is also made locally. There are quite a few other businesses that also have that same high-quality craftsmanship and unique product in all kinds of areas—food, clothing, home goods, arts, gardening … There are plenty of businesses in Bantam that are truly unique where you can't get their products anywhere else. It has turned Bantam into a destination for many who want a unique experience of shopping in a beautiful setting.”

Charlie Dumas, founder of Dumais Made which specializes in handmade lamps, wall hangings and other small furniture moved into the Bantam Arts Factory in November 2018 but didn’t complete renovations until March 2019. Dumais has three studios; a workroom, a finishing and shipping studio and a showroom. “We were working out of our garage studio at our residence and quickly outgrew it,” he said. “A friend of ours, Jessica Russell, had her art studio in the Bantam Art Factory and one day sent us a note that some spaces had become available. We toured the factory and fell in love with it.”

The Bantam Art Factory, according to its website, is located on the lower level of the old Bantam Switch Factory cum Bantam Arts Factory. It is a building “teeming with artists; abuzz with creative energy.” The Switch Gallery is an independent artists’ art gallery offering full gallery services to new and emerging artists, providing artists with “a launching point, or just another step in their career.”

Dumais said, “Although foot traffic quieted during the pandemic, our company and team grew exponentially. And now with more space, and a showroom, we can host designers and customers by appointment. We work with The Mayflower Inn and create classes and experiences for guests. The factory has become a part of our identity and the experience of working here has been incredible.”

Bantam Tileworks has been in Bantam since 2005 when the owners opened up in the Bantam Art Factory and in 2013 moved to its current location at 816 Bantam Road.

Ronning said, “Litchfield County residents have been extremely supportive over the years for both tile projects, as well as the take away ceramics/tableware. The majority of our tile jobs are from out of the area—all across the country as well as internationally. We are close enough to New York and Boston so designers/architects/builders have access to our shop but nowadays it’s even more common to work remotely without ever meeting in person.”

Said Dumais, “Customers that visit us in-person are largely from out of town, New York and other areas of Connecticut. In 2021, we held our first in-studio sale and more than a hundred out-of-towners came. This past spring, we almost doubled that.”

“Bantam has become this little jewel,” said Artur Matuszewski, owner of AmArt House, which specializes in contemporary and modern art. “We really have a chance to become a hub for the arts. It took him four years to renovate his building on Route 202 and he opened last year.

“We wanted to keep the integrity of the building so I took my time. The building is circa 1745 and we followed the blueprint of the house. We went with the historical color and flatboard exterior. We saved as much of the building as possible.”

Matuszewski believes the COVID pandemic had much to do with a new energy being pumped into the area. “When COVID hit, people moved out of New York City, Boston and elsewhere and they found Litchfield County an ideal place to live and raise a family. That has contributed to a desire to patronize the arts as well as the shops and galleries we have here. We have Bantam Lake and hiking trails so the area has a broad appeal.”

Matuszewski was born in Poland and emigrated to Manhattan where he studied fine art, eventually finding his calling in curating large art shows in New York and Europe. His dream was to have his own arts center with curated collections. When he found a house and property for sale in Bantam, he knew he had a perfect location. In addition to the remodeled home, there are three acres in the back where he will add paths and benches so “people can talk about art”.

Speaking of draws to the center, the Borough boasts eateries that range from a pizza place to fine dining. Across from the Bantam Art Factory are two restaurants as well as the Housatonic Trading Company, which features a collection of fine art, antiques and furniture as well as some new pieces. Nearby Bantam Bread features homemade bread and other baked goods is always busy. And just up a hill toward the center, there is the immensely popular ice cream shop, Arethusa Farm dairy and cafe.

“When the summertime hits the ice cream shop is jammed packed,” said Sheldon. Across Route 202 is a large garden center that buzzes with activity during the warm-weather months. Town offices are also located in the Borough’s center.

It might be noted that, while not in the borough’s center, the acclaimed Guy Wolff Pottery is located just 1.1 miles from the center of Bantam on Route 202. Wolff has developed a strong following from those seeking his pottery which is actually functional art.

One issue Bantam Borough officials and business owners have yet to figure out is parking. And the road that runs through the Borough is Route 202 which is packed with traffic on some days and weekends. There are no sidewalks. But several restaurants are close to the Arts Factory which allows individuals to access several locations with ease.

“We are working on a solution to the parking issue,” said Sheldon.