Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1544671
10 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | MAY 4, 2026 DE AL WATCH Crate maker's Bloomfield buy supports growth as food bank consolidates operations By Michael Puffer mpuffer@hartfordbusiness.com A Windsor-based specialty shipping crates manufacturer is expanding into Bloomfield at the same time Connecticut's largest food bank is consolidating operations to cut costs and fund future growth. All Crate Inc. recently paid $3.5 million for a 51,880-square-foot warehouse on 7 acres at 450 Woodland Ave. The seller, Connecticut Foodshare, is using the proceeds to support an expansion of its Wallingford facility and streamline its footprint. The deal reflects diverging strategies: a small, family-run manufacturer adding capacity to meet demand, and a nonprofit seeking efficiency after a major merger. All Crate President Joseph Novak said the company plans to begin expanded manufacturing and warehousing operations in Bloomfield within about a month. The business, which employs 21 people and operates out of two Windsor locations, expects to move some staff to Bloomfield and hire another four to six workers there over the next year, while maintaining its Windsor production. The 34-year-old company makes custom crates and pallets used to ship machinery and products, primarily for regional aerospace, medical and automotive customers. Built in 2005, the Bloomfield ware- house features 28-foot wall heights, a high-bay racking system and a large production area — attributes Novak said made it "a perfect fit" for the company's needs. Novak financed the purchase with a $3.25 million loan from Windsor Federal Bank, secured by a mortgage on the property. He started the business in his father's garage at age 24 and now runs it with his two sons. "I get a lot of calls from larger companies wanting to buy me out, but I want to keep it as a family business," Novak said. Consolidate and expand For Connecticut Foodshare, the sale marks a step toward centralizing operations following its 2021 formation through the merger of the Connecticut Food Bank and Foodshare. Sal Morello (left) and John Gagas stand in front of a Cromwell industrial condo building they developed. HBJ Photo | Michael Puffer Windsor-based All Crate Inc. paid $3.5 million for the 51,880-square-foot warehouse at 450 Woodland Ave. in Bloomfield. Photo | CoStar be suitable for small businesses that we typically finance," said Louis Silva, president of the nonprofit lender. "Think about clean contractors, light manufacturing, food service … things of that nature." Commercial spaces suitable for small businesses are in such short supply that Silva said he has repeatedly seen potential SBA borrowers lose out to cash purchasers. "I don't have enough fingers and toes to count how many times that has happened already, just in the last six or seven months," he said. CIC plans to market the development through brokers, banks and on-site signage highlighting the availability of SBA-backed financing. The initiative marks a first for the lender, but Silva said he expects similar partnerships to follow. He's already speaking with another commercial condo developer about a potential partnership. "I think these smaller industrial condos for small businesses are a groundbreaking idea," Silva said. "The cost of ownership is relatively low, and it gives the businesses a chance to build wealth by owning their asset. You don't see many of these projects coming online, which is why I say they probably After the merger, the organization operated both the Bloomfield ware- house and its roughly 85,000-square- foot Wallingford facility near Interstate 91. President and CEO Jason Jakubowski said maintaining both sites ultimately proved too costly. The nonprofit distributed about 46 million meals statewide last year, with roughly 80% moving through about 600 partner food pantries and the remainder delivered through mobile food pantry trucks. The Bloomfield sale will allow Connecticut Foodshare to focus operations in Wallingford, where it plans a 34,243-square-foot expansion that will add refrigerated and freezer space. The project is expected to break ground this summer and take 16 to 18 months to complete, supported in part by a $2 million federal grant awarded in early 2024. "In the end, it became too cost-prohib- itive to run two facilities," Jakubowski said. "In these difficult times, we are trying to spend everything we can on food. I couldn't justify spending $300,000 just to keep the lights on." Connecticut Foodshare may lease addi- tional space during peak demand periods, such as the holidays, until the Wallingford expansion is finished, he said. Mark Duclos, of Sentry Commercial, listed the property for Connecticut Foodshare. Novak was represented by Kathyrn Colombie, of Sentry Commer- cial. Berlin Condo Development Continued from page 9 won't be able to build them fast enough." Designed for ownership The development is being led by Sal Morello, owner of Hamden-based Morecon Builders, and his partner, John Gagas, who purchased the prop- erty for $712,500 last May. The pair met through a mutual friend and have built and sold several single- family homes together over the past five years. Plans call for nine roughly 9,000-square-foot, wood-framed buildings, each divided into as many as six units. Spaces will include indi- vidual bathrooms and bay doors, and buyers will have the option to combine adjacent units. Morello said he expects 1,500-square- foot units to sell for about $379,000. "In most of Connecticut, units like these are extremely valuable, but nobody can buy them," he said. Construction is underway, with slab foundations completed for the first two buildings. The first is expected to be ready for occupancy in June, with addi- tional buildings built as demand warrants. Morello said the site could be fully built out within two years. No units have sold yet, he said. The buildings are designed to resemble "large country barns," reflecting feedback from residents and officials during the land-use approval process, Morello said. The concept builds on Morello's recent experience in Cromwell, where he developed a five-bay, 7,200-square-foot multi-tenant industrial building. Two bays are leased, and his own business occupies the remainder of the space. He said several prospective tenants there expressed interest in ownership rather than leasing, reinforcing what he sees as significant pent-up demand. Morello's partner, Gagas, has spent his career as a manufacturing manager at plants across Connecticut. He also worked for his uncle's construction company for several years before age 21, building houses and small strip malls. In the partnership, Gagas has focused primarily on financing. Berlin Economic Development Director Chris Edge, who is a CIC board member, said he connected Gagas and Morello with the nonprofit lender. Commerce Park will provide much- needed space for small manufacturers and tradespeople, Edge said, noting there is a backlog of at least seven companies seeking small industrial space in Berlin. "What's exciting is the ability to purchase, given the ability to buy a small industrial space is a huge challenge statewide," Edge said. "I think it's going to be pretty well-received because you are paying a pretty hefty rent these days for industrial space."