Southport Veterinary Center
By Mike Lauterborn
(for HamletHub.com/Fairfield)
1/18/12
Fairfield, CT – Tongues – and tails – were wagging at Southport Veterinary Center Wednesday evening as Fairfield Chamber of Commerce members and friends, some with their dogs in tow, gathered at the facility for a monthly meeting.
The event’s theme was “One Dog Night” and was held in the offices of the 2131 Post Road space. Dozens of guests met and mingled, toured the state-of-the-art hospital and enjoyed wine as well as pizza, served hot and fresh from a brick oven set up out back by Skinny Pines catering of Easton. Attendees milled in the lobby and at the front desk, in exam rooms and in the treatment area, discussing features of the facility and the state of business in Fairfield.
“This is my first time hosting a Chamber event,” said Dr. Hart. “I love having people in the hospital. This building has been an animal hospital for over 50 years but few are aware of it, even though it’s at such a busy intersection and part of town. This is a good exposure opportunity for us while serving the needs of the Chamber.”
As to the pet element of the evening, Hart said, “I suggested having attendees bring their dogs, to make it a dog happy hour. We’ve set up a special heated outdoor pen for our canine crowd.”
With regard to the town’s business climate, Hart said, “I think the climate is improving. It’s always best to share information than have everyone competing for the same people.”
Chamber head Ritchie thought the “doggie addition” to the evening added cache and felt that the Center made a great site for the event. “It accommodates everyone, people can see the operation, and they can meet and greet the staff and visit with each other.”
Ritchie shared Hart’s assessment of the local business climate. “Things are improving slowly,” she said. “People are feeling more upbeat about the future. A mortgage company representative in town told me this morning that they’d hired three new people. That’s an indicator things are coming up in the real estate sector. People have had to cut back and change the way they do things, and work harder, but with the intent of staying in business and improving business. They are more likely to be involved in the Chamber, so they can conduct business-to-business conversations.”
For a full gallery of photos from the evening, visit Fairfield HamletHub’s Facebook site:
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