SHELTON, Conn. —- As patrons of Mercato Italian Kitchen & Bar dined on the main floor Thursday, business was being conducted upstairs. Entrepreneurs, company owners and professionals mingled and exchanged contact information over glasses of wine, slices of pizza and hors d’oeuvres during a networking event. It was the Greater Valley and Monroe Chamber’s New Year, New Cheers Post-Holiday Bash.
Monroe First Selectman Terry Rooney praised the city of Shelton, where business is “constantly booming” keeping property taxes down and encouraging more people to invest.
“In Monroe, we are working on that,” he said. “We have created almost 90 businesses in the last couple years.”
“It’s very nice to see both chambers of commerce get together, because we’re neighbors,” Rooney added. “Some of the businesses in Shelton may have an interest in Monroe.”
State Sen. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, was among the featured guests.
“I look at what Shelton has accomplished over so many years, but then I look at the leadership that Terry Rooney and his team in Monroe have really executed so effectively in the last two years,” Perillo said. “Terry mentioned all of the new businesses in town and, honestly, it is because of his leadership that that is happening in Monroe.”
“You’re in the driver’s seat now, because you have so many opportunities,” he said, “and the fact that you’re here talking to the business community, it’s all about the network, right? It’s all about relationships. It’s all about you and me working together. It’s all about our businesses and business owners working together to make our communities stronger and to make our communities more vibrant.”
Perillo thanked both Monroe Chamber President Ray Giovanni and Greater Valley President and CEO Bill Purcell and told them to “keep up the amazing work” they’re doing. The Greater Valley Chamber represents Shelton, Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford and Seymour.
Purcell made a toast in memory of his sister, Nancy, a teacher beloved by her students, and to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce’s ambassador, Lee Hossler, who both had passed away recently.
“Deepest sympathies to you Ray, and to the Monroe first selectman, for the loss of Lee Hossler, chamber ambassador extraordinaire and community servant extraordinaire,” Purcell said.
“We did have a sad loss,” Rooney said. “Lee Hossler, he worked very hard for the Chamber of Commerce in Monroe, constantly going in and out of businesses. He was an advocate for growing business in Monroe and he’s going to be dearly missed.”
Purcell recognized Giovanni and fellow Monroe Chamber members Beth Stoller and Gaetano Marra, as well as Virginia Harger, who has served on the Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission for 20 years, the last eight as chair.
Purcell gave special thanks to Mercato’s event manager and to Sam DeVellis, co-owner of Market Hospitality Group, which owns Mercato among a number of restaurants in Connecticut, New York and Florida.
DeVellis and his business partner, Eli Hawley, were honored as Restauranteurs of the Year in 2024 by the Connecticut Restaurant Association, according to Purcell.
“Sam’s story started in Monroe,” Rooney said. “He started with Carl Anthony’s. Now he’s turned this into a very lucrative enterprise, spreading across the country actually.”
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