The rise of Storrs Center, a new downtown complex in Mansfield, Connecticut. The Mansfield Downtown Partnership was formed in 2001 to oversee the construction of Storrs Center based on a plan developed 10 years prior. In 2008, the state awarded $10 million to build a parking garage, which opened in 2012. As of late 2012, several businesses had opened including restaurants, shops, and services. Additional openings of other businesses including a convenience store were anticipated by the end of 2012 and into 2013.

1. Photo Gallery: The rise of Storrs
Center
Mansfield and UConn welcome a
new downtown complex
By Elizabeth Crowley

2. “’This is the biggest happening in
construction for Mansfield in a
long time,’” Michael Zlotnick, co-
owner of the construction company in
charge of working on Husky Pizza, said
to Mansfield-Storrs Patch in a story
published on Sept. 20, 2012.
Photos by Liz Crowley
The Town of Mansfield formed the Mansfield Downtown Partnership in 2001 to
govern the construction of Storrs Center. They drew up the plan for today’s
complex 10 years ago.

3. The project was awarded $10 million
from the state in 2008 to build the
parking garage, which opened on Dog
Lane Sept. 26.
Photos by Liz Crowley
Parking is free for the first two
hours and then is $1 per hour
after that.

4. As of Oct. 2012 the following businesses are open:
• Froyo World • Skora’s Barber Styling
• Subway Shop
• Bank of America • Travel Planners
• Body Language • Sweet Emotions
• Select Physical Therapy • Storrs Automotive
Photos by Liz Crowley
Geno’s, and Husky Pizza are
expected to open this year.
An extension of the UConn Co-
op and UConn Health Center
will open next year.

5. 7-Eleven, the country’s largest
convenience store chain, was
the last tenant to sign on to
Storrs Center in September
2012.
Photos by Liz Crowley
It is anticipated to open in late fall with
2,200 square-feet on 1 Dog Lane.

6. “The first time I walked into
the store, I realized I had
found something special. This
was no ordinary candy store
chain. This was obviously a
labor of love,” Zach Lederman
wrote in a review of the shop that
appeared in The Daily Campus on
Oct. 9, 2012.
Photo by Liz Crowley
Sweet Emotions Candy, which opened Monday Sept. 24, is owned by Barry Schreiner,
the former Director of Counseling and Mental Health Services at the nearby University
of Connecticut.

7. Storrs Center information was gathered at the following locations:
The complex’s webpage, www.storrscenter.com
An article written in Mansfield-Storrs Patch,
http://mansfield.patch.com/articles/storrs-center-parking-garage-to-begin-
full-operation-wednesday
The Town of Mansfield’s webpage in a concept timeline of the project,
http://www.mansfieldct.gov/filestorage/1914/6514/6528/6552/ConceptPlan
Timeline.pdf