A small business boom is happening in Salem

In a backroom office one early afternoon at R&W Heating, co-owners Wanda and Rick Hatch debated the merits of subscribing to Angie's List, a membership-based online service designed to give reviews on various businesses.

After a few minutes of weighing the pros and cons, both were still uncertain if the expense for additional advertising was worth it. But the conversation in itself represented a big shift for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning company.

R&W Heating's technicians and office staff are now under one roof at 10 Witter Road, in a building at the corner of Route 354 and Witter Road. The business, which used to be partly housed in Uncasville in the Longo Plaza, is now in one location. It occupies part of the old Congdon's Garage.

Its opening has coincided with several other new businesses coming to town in the last year or so, which First Selectman Kevin Lyden said is a sign the town's economy is turning a corner.

"We're getting new businesses in Salem incrementally," Lyden said. "We still have a few empty storefronts, but I would say the economy is slowly getting better. Good things are happening."

R&W Heating, which offers home energy evaluations, air duct and dryer vent cleanings and more, hosted its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 19. The Hatch family started the company in 2004 and it employs seven.

Rick Hatch said the business has received a wonderful welcoming from neighbors and he enjoys the quiet neighborhood a short distance from Gardner Lake. The business has customers all over New London County and beyond, he said.

"There's something to be said for a close knit community," Hatch said. "We're not just a number here. The town is glad that we put our business here."

Lyden said the receptiveness of the economic development and planning and zoning commissions have also played a part in other businesses - large and small - coming to town.

The Dunkin' Donuts at Salem Four Corners had its grand opening earlier this month. Farm to Hearth, an artisan bakery that employs a specially made wood-fired oven, is still busy making bread. Owner Todd Solek and his wife, Melissa, were in the midst of baking two kinds of focaccia bread during a recent visit.

Construction is also under way on a 16,000-square foot building north of Chelsea Groton Bank at Salem Four Corners that will offer up to six retail spaces and 10 one-bedroom apartments on a second floor.

In all, nine businesses have opened in the town in the past year or so, Lyden said. And other longtime establishments, such as Salem Herbfarm, Babe's Country Deli, Salem Prime Cuts and Two Brothers Restaurant and Pub, continue to do business in town.

"People are good about shopping local. Salem is a place where people want to have a business," Lyden said. "The businesses in general do pretty well."

jeff.johnson@theday.com