Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz visits Bristol Wednesday to highlight the importance of shopping at local small businesses

Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz tours the Bristol Bazaar with Mayor Caggiano. | Jack Krampitz

Posted By: Jack Krampitz December 14, 2023

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz hip-hopped through three Bristol businesses Wednesday morning as part of a campaign to encourage people to support small businesses in their hometowns.

Bysiewicz began her day at the Bristol Bazaar, accompanied by Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano, Economic Development Director Justin Malley and State Rep. Joe Hoxha. She spoke with the owners, Care and Eric Verikas, and was impressed by the variety of handmade products available from the work of local artists and vendors.

Eric Verikas leads Bysiewicz on a tour of the offerings at the Bristol Bazaar. | Jack Krampitz

After her visit to the Bristol Bazaar, Bysiewicz took a two-minute ride to see Bristol Works, which is a workforce development training center. The goal of Bristol Works is to provide individuals with skills, certifications and job-placement services to obtain employment or to allow them to continue with advanced programs.

The director, Kim Ward Holley explained to the lieutenant governor that Bristol Works offers four training programs (Manufacturing, IT, Early Childhood Education, and Healthcare) that are free to those who live or work in Bristol and are available to all others for a fee. 


Director Kim Ward Holley explains the programs offered by Bristol Works. | Jack Krampitz

Both the Bristol Bazaar and Bristol Works were funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden in 2021 to speed up the country’s recovery from economic effects of the Covid pandemic and the ongoing recession. Many Bristol businesses and non-profits benefitted from ARPA funding.


The final stop of the morning was Family Roots Produce Market on Riverside Avenue. Bysiewicz spoke with April Tibbetts, the general manager at the store. Tibbetts explained that Family Roots takes pride in supporting local farmers and offering the public fruits and vegetables from nearby producers. Family Roots also offers baked goods, breads, coffee, hot sauce, spices, jams, pickles, cheeses and honey from Connecticut businesses.

April Tibbetts and Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz. | Jack Krampitz

Bysiewicz’s whirlwind tour took less than two hours but brought a nice sample of what local small business has to offer.

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