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Our News & Events

August 21, 2024

Popular SoNo Restaurant Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
New Ownership Recharges the Oishi Sushi & Izakaya Experience

In 2014, Oishi Sushi and Izakaya introduced its Japanese restaurant concept to South Norwalk, further enhancing the eclectic dining scene in the Washington Street Historic District. Original owner Chris Chen opened this upscale sushi bar and Izakaya (Japanese pub) in 2014. He introduced locals to a more modern Japanese dining style, which included creative cocktails, local craft beer, Asian-inspired entrees, and house-made desserts.
 
Oishi Sushi & Izakaya will celebrate its 10th Anniversary in October 2024, and it will do so with new owners at the helm. Seasoned Restaurateurs Vicky Gao, who also owns Osaka Restaurant in Queens, NY, and the team of Peter Lu and Hui Lin, who owns Chochosan Sushi and Hibachi and Chochosan Noodle House in Nanuet, NY, are carrying on the name and the stellar reputation Oishi has earned over the years and infusing their own enhanced menu and beverage elements from their joint year of experience in the Japanese restaurant space.

June 28, 2023

Norwalk is a “Best Place to Live!”

The City of Norwalk was recently recognized by CT Insider, Fortune Magazine and Livability as a top city to live in.

Fortune Magazine ranked the City of Norwalk as the best place for families to live within CT and 29th in the nation. In their analysis of nearly 1,900 cities across the country, the best places to live were scored  in areas such as health care, education, and resources for seniors. Fortune stated: “Living in Norwalk is all about enjoying the beautiful coastline and ocean at its borders. Located on the northern shore of Long Island Sound, Norwalk is home to some of the state’s best boating spots and public beaches.”
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Livability named the City of Norwalk as one of the best cities in the nation to live in on their top 100 list of cities. In partnership with Applied Geographic Solutions, Livability.com curated a list of the top 100 cities based on nearly 100 data points and an algorithm that measures a city’s economy, housing, cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education, and health. Livability stated: “A coastal city in southern Fairfield County, Norwalk, CT, makes for a great place to live for both work and daily living. The city of more than 91,000 offers something for all its residents, and it’s easy to see why Norwalk is one of the best places to live in the U.S.”
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CT Insider ranked the City of Norwalk as number one for quality of life among 25 of the most populous cities in CT. CT Insider used 11 metrics associatedwith livability, including bars, commute time, driving distance from the airport, driving distance from the hospital, diversity, grocery stores, housing units, public schools, libraries, restaurants and transit stops to come to this conclusion. LEARN MORE 

February 2, 2023

Governor Lamont Announces Launch of New Online Platform Connecting All Connecticut Manufacturers and Suppliers in a Single Searchable Solution

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced the launch of CONNEX™ Connecticut, a free online platform that provides one-stop access for manufacturers in the state to connect with each other, find local suppliers, discover new business opportunities, and manage their supply chains.

“Connecticut boasts some of the most sophisticated manufacturing in the world, and this new portal helps support these companies by enabling other businesses to easily find and connect with the local manufacturers that are making the products they need,” Governor Lamont said. “I strongly encourage every company in the state to register at this portal, post about the products and services your company offers, and get connected to new business opportunities.”

November 8, 2022

Mayor Rilling Announces Vanessa Nobre Valadares as Norwalk’s Chief of Operations and Public Works; First Woman to Lead the Department in the City’s History

Today, November 8, 2022, Mayor Rilling appointed Vanessa Nobre Valadares as the City of Norwalk’s Chief of Operations and Public Works during the Common Council meeting.

“Vanessa has served and excelled in every position within the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works,” said Mayor Rilling. “Based on her high level of expertise, impeccable work ethic and strong ability to collaborate, I am confident that she will be fantastic as the City’s new Chief of Operations and Public Works. I look forward to the progress the Department makes under her leadership.

November 3, 2022

Federal, State, Local and Community Leaders Celebrate the Grand Opening of Norwalk’s Business Development Center

Today, November 3, 2022, federal, state, local and community leaders joined Mayor Rilling to celebrate the grand opening of the City of Norwalk’s Business Development Center on 3 Belden Avenue. This week also marks the third anniversary of the launch of the City’s Small Business and Main Street (SBMS) program. Leaders highlighted how federal, state and local investments have impacted the small business community since the inception of the SBMS and how the Business Development Center will continue to support this commitment.

November 2, 2022

Mayor Rilling Announces LaToya Fernandez as the City of Norwalk’s First Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

Mayor Rilling announced that LaToya Fernandez joined Norwalk as the City’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer. November 1 was her first day with the City of Norwalk.

“As a City, we are always striving to improve and fulfill our vision of becoming a more inclusive and equitable community,” said Mayor Rilling. “Today, I am proud to have taken another step forward in this work by welcoming LaToya Fernandez, the City’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. Fernandez’s background in community engagement and cultural responsiveness will help us expand opportunities for residents across Norwalk and ensure our City best serves historically underrepresented communities. As a former educator and community leader in equity and justice, Fernandez has a track record of bringing City leaders and community members together to advance equity. I know her skill set will contribute meaningfully to the City of Norwalk, and I look forward to the progress we make.”

October 28, 2022

Statement from Mayor Rilling on Longstanding Property Owner Opening Workforce Training Center

Mayor Rilling released the following statement regarding the importance of workforce development following today’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the Workforce Training Center. The Workforce Training Center is a vocational training program located at 25 Van Zant Street and directed by the site’s owner and developer, Winthrop Baum.

October 12, 2022

Norwalk Receives $2 Million in State Funds for Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvements

Governor Ned Lamont announced that he approved $2 million in grant funding for the Pinnacle Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Project. The funding will be used primarily to repair sidewalks, manage stormwater, install crosswalks, underground utilities, and repave and stripe West Avenue, Merwin Street, Berkeley Street, Orchard Street, Butler Street, Quincy Street. The grant was awarded via a competitive state grant program that supports transit-oriented development and is targeted at boosting economic activity and creating jobs.