A recent study ranked Quinnipiac University in the top three percent of U.S. universities for long term value.
Quinnipiac University’s campus. Courtesy: Kevin Meiselman
The study, conducted by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, analyzed the long-term return on investment of 4,500 colleges and universities. Analysis was based on graduates’ future earnings up to 40 years after completion of their degree.
The same report also ranked Quinnipiac in the top 100 for its graduates’ median 10-year earnings at $63,300 a year. Vice President of Enrollment Management Eric Sykes discussed the impact this study could have on admissions.
“It really legitimizes what we’ve been talking about with prospective students,” Sykes said. “Quinnipiac is the kind of place where we’re all about outcomes. We’re very practical in our education. Students are going to get a lot of hands-on experience with faculty. We differentiate ourselves in that way from other schools, and this is really just evidence of what we’ve been saying.”
Quinnipiac continues to differentiate itself, as this isn’t the first time the university has been recognized with such an honor.
“This isn’t the first study to come out with differences in outcomes between Quinnipiac and other institutions,” he continued. “I think within the state of Connecticut, we are ranked number one. As families look at the return of investment and the value of a degree, studies like this allow us to talk more about the evidence behind those pieces we’ve been talking about up to this point.”
Sykes didn’t say that this study would lead directly to more applications, but he noted that it can’t hurt to be mentioned alongside other highly respected colleges and universities, especially in a respected ranking system.
“It’s hard to know any one data point that’s going to really move the needle on those, but it certainly helps us to underscore the message that we’ve already been speaking about. It allows us to talk to students and parents about the value of a Quinnipiac degree,” he said.
Patrick Harewood, pictured, is an adjunct professor of biomedical sciences at Quinnipiac University. Courtesy: John Morgan
Patrick Harewood, an adjunct professor at Quinnipiac University, received a patent for his mouthwash that combats Xerostomia on Jan. 7. Xerostomia is a health condition that is also known to many as dry mouth. This condition occurs due to a lack of saliva production from one’s salivary glands.
Harewood earned his bachelor’s degree in natural sciences at the University of the West Indies in Barbados. He then attended the University of Rhode Island to obtain his masters and doctorate degrees.
His studies at the University of Rhode Island in the master’s program centered around food and nutrition. He would go on to complete his doctorate in biological sciences.
Harewood, who has been a professor at Quinnipiac for nearly twenty years, was first approached about the mouthwash creation process several years ago. As Harewood’s son was in for a routine check-up, Dr. Jeralyn Fantarella, his primary dentist, approached him about his father’s educational background in microbiology and food chemistry. Harewood himself also spent about a year and a half doing research with the Food and Drug Administration.
It was not an easy process for Harewood and Fantarella. Most of their work was done in various dental hygienists’ rooms. Bouncing from room to room, they ordered the necessary lab equipment and developed their product at Fantarella Dental Group in North Haven.
When asked about the driving force of this invention, Harewood speaks about how he was able to get the ball rolling.
“Dr. Fantarella had noticed an upsurge in the number of people visiting her office who had this condition of dry mouth,” Harewood said.
Harewood also highlighted the importance of saliva and how his mouthwash will benefit consumers when it hits the market.
“In addition to containing enzymes which play a role in the digestion of food, [saliva] also contains antimicrobial components along with enzymes, which destroy bacteria associated with tooth decay,” he said.
Harewood and Fantarella will be going through the process of approval through the FDA. This process entails areas of overview such as device performance, health risks, a summary report, and biocompatibility results. For more information on the FDA and their oral rinse approval guidelines, click here.
Approval from the FDA for certain products differs based on its uses. Some commonly used mouthwash products may never actually need to be approved by the FDA.
“There are some mouthwashes on the market that do not have to go through the regulatory process because they are just used for simple things like to freshen breath,” Harewood said.
“If all goes well, (the mouthwash) should be approved as an over the counter drug,” he continued. “It should probably take, if all goes well, about three months to a year to be approved.”
Harewood teaches courses at Quinnipiac revolving around biomedical sciences, specifically in the field of biomedical marketing. He encourages his students to build off of what he has accomplished.
“I hope people can see me and my work as a source of inspiration,” he said. “If I can do it, they can do it too.”
Christian McNamara presents his multi-slide presentation on the climbing expenses of Hamden. McNamara spent months compiling data from audits and financial reports. Courtesy: Peter O’Neill
Hosted by Yale lecturer Christian McNamara, concerned Hamden residents gathered at Books & Company late Tuesday evening to discuss the drastic financial debt Hamden has found itself in.
“A few fellow Hamden residents and I have put together a presentation on our town’s precarious financial condition,” Christian McNamara said in a mass email.
Other Hamden residents like McNamara that are taking action are Judy and Stockton ‘Stocky’ Clark. McNamara and the Clarks, along with others, started the months-long project of compiling data into a multi-sheet pamphlet to illustrate the scope of Hamden’s financial debt. It includes graphs and projection charts using older data received from Hamden’s audits and financial reports already available to the public.
“I spent hours and hours reading everything I could get my hands on about the town’s financial situation,” McNamara said. “It was an enormous amount of work, but work that we felt was very important.”
The group simplified pages of numbers and figures into a series of straight-forward graphs.
“The charts are meant to show people, graphically, what is going on,” Stocky Clark said.
The bulk of the presentation makes obvious the immense financial debt taken by Hamden. Despite being the sixth most taxed town in the state as of 2017, Hamden is having severe difficulty making ends meet.
“We owe $1.1 billion…that’s how much the town of Hamden owes right now,” Stocky said.
In 2019, Hamden’s Moody’s municipal credit score lowered down to Baa3 status, neighboring with Sprague and West Haven. This rating is just one notch above the worst municipal score, Ba1, referred to as ‘junk status.’ The term refers to junk bonds, a bond which borrowers take when they have no other option, and are taken when the borrower is subject to substantial credit risk.
“Under junk bond status, it is going to be extremely expensive to take out bonds,” Hamden Legislative Council Member Brad Macdowall said.
There is skepticism that with Baa3 status comes the possibility of the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB) taking over financially. The board provides financial accountability for municipalities experiencing various levels of fiscal distress.
“If the MARB did come in, we would see slashed and gutted services, and no benefits to taxpayers for it,” Macdowall said.
The big picture, however, is lost to many Hamden residents.
“Often times when we point out these challenges, people say, ‘Well okay it’s one thing to point out that we have a problem but what’s your solution?’ To me it’s difficult to have a conversation about it until you’ve defined the scope of the problem,” McNamara said.
“That’s what we hoped to do tonight,” he continued. “[We are] getting the information out there, so that we can collectively define the full scale of the problem. And then use that as the basis for fostering a community-wide discussion about what to do.”
Over 40 Hamden community members were present for McNamara’s presentation. This has been the largest number as of yet, for residents to attend a residential meeting assembled by McNamara and the Clarks. Courtesy: Peter O’Neill
McNamara has reached out to legislative council members and the mayor’s office in hopes of his presentation creating a town-wide dialogue.
Of the Hamden Legislative council, three members were present at the meeting. Council members encouraged attendees to speak up about their concerns, sooner rather than later.
“In order to make the best decision, we need you all to make your opinion known to help us better serve you,” Hamden Legislative Council Member Justin Farmer said.
An average of 40 community members showed up to Books & Company for the presentation that evening.
“There were a good number of people there tonight,” Macdowall said. “It’s a low number, but it’s a bigger number than we’ve ever had before. I’m glad this conversation is beginning, and gaining traction.”
“Residents need to be aware, and they need to be involved in the conversation,” he continued. “Otherwise, it allows people to keep doing the same reckless things, just to kick the can down the road. I do not believe the average voter, or the average resident, is aware of how difficult a situation we are in. People are starting to wake up and see it, but it’s still early.”
To read Christian McNamara’s full financial presentation, click here.
The Hamden Police Department released safety tips for driving at night with wildlife on Feb. 7, as Connecticut has seen an increase in car crashes at night involving wildlife. As a result, more roadkill is present in populated areas.
“What prompted me was one day, two wild turkeys had been struck,” Hamden Police Captain Ron Smith said. “They were surrounded by other wild turkeys that were circling, and it bothered me immensely. That day on RT-15 a dog was hit. Seeing two things in one day prompted me to put a general awareness out.”
The most common animals involved in these accidents include deer, skunks, racoons, squirrels and household pets.
“They happen throughout town. All motorists see them on the side…there’s just things people can do to prevent striking them,” Smith said.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, there are nearly 260,000 reported crashes per year that involve animals. In the United States, an animal is run over every 11.5 seconds. This boils down to an estimated one million animals that are hit each day.
Ninety percent of animal-vehicle collisions involve deer. Nationwide, deer-vehicle accidents cause about 29,000 human injuries, 200 human fatalities and one billion dollars in property damage every year.
In Connecticut, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEEP) receives reports from law enforcement officers of about 3,000 deer killed on Connecticut roadways annually. However, many deer-vehicle accidents are not reported, which include those where deer survive or die in an area away from the road.
In the Fairfield and New Haven counties, the highest number of deer roadkill was on I-84, I-95 and the Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways.
Based on deer carcass removal data from the Connecticut Department of Transportation collected in 2001 and 2002, for every dead deer picked up off the road and reported to the DEEP, five additional deer go unreported. Based on this data, this means that about 18,000 deer are killed along Connecticut’s roadways each year, or 49 deer per day.
There is currently no data as in depth for other animals reported both nation and state wide.
The Hamden Police Department advises residents to follow these precautions:
While driving, it is important to scan the road, and the shoulder of the road for animals. Spotting an animal moments earlier helps a motorist by providing additional reaction time. This is important should an animal run into the road.
If traveling at night, and if there is no oncoming traffic, use high-beam headlights. This may enable a motorist to observe a domestic animal or wildlife sooner. High beams are useful in spotting some animals’ reflective eyes.
Caution should be taken at dawn and dusk. Many animals are active at this time.
Most importantly, if everyone would slow down and travel at the speed limit, many of these incidents could be avoided.
And to some, please don’t intentionally hit animals. You can be arrested.
If a collision is unavoidable, remain in your lane of traffic. Swerving to avoid an animal can cause a serious crash and possible injuries.
“Sometimes it is unavoidable, but we want people to be more aware so accidents can be avoided for the future,” Smith said.
Manager of Yale New Haven Health Pina Violano speaks at a press conference Monday regarding the Gun Buy Back. Courtesy: Kailee Heffler
The Town of Hamden is hosting its first Gun Buy Back event this Saturday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hamden Police Station.
The Gun Buy Back is being held in an attempt to make homes and the community safer, as well as to help prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands.
Hamden and its police department are partnering with Yale New Haven Hospital’s Injury & Violence Prevention Program, Injury Free Coalition for Kids of New Haven, New Haven Police Department, Newtown Action Alliance, and the Episcopal Church.
The idea was first thought of almost ten months ago.
“I brought the idea to Chief Cappiello and Mayor Leng and they were very enthusiastic and then we partnered with Dr. Violano from the hospital who has experience in these events” Adam Sendroff, Community Development Manager, said.
The Gun Buy Back provides an opportunity for residents of Hamden to safely dispose of their unwanted weapons in exchange for gift cards.
Free gun locks and car safes will be provided if owners don’t want to dispose of their guns, but want to find a way to keep them more secure
The goal of this event is to get unused guns out of the house and provide gun safety tips to the public.
“Guns kill and hurt people if they are not used properly. Have respect for the item if it is in your house,” Pina Violano, Manager of Yale New Haven Health said.
The gun buyback is anonymous, and will take place in a safe and secure location.
President Judy Olian. Courtesy: Quinnipiac University
HAMDEN, Conn. — In 2018, Judy Olian moved from her home in California to Hamden, Conn. to accept her leadership role as president of Quinnipiac University. Since the move, she has embraced change and is working to improve the university in many different areas, such as student education and community relations.
“What I’ve come to so appreciate here is the agility and nimbleness around change,” President Olian said. “If you’re an institution that can really turn on a dime, and I’m not saying we can turn on a dime, but it’s a hell of a lot faster than what was possible at the University of California. It’s a tremendous advantage and asset.”
Since beginning her tenure at Quinnipiac, President Olian has developed a strategic plan to better the university. This plan involves four pillars, including preparing students for careers in the 21st century, developing inclusive excellence, improving the wellbeing of the community and fostering lifelong learning and connections.
“I think the community embraced the change and the strategic plan,” Olian said. “Hook, line and sinker really embraced it. There’s an aura of excitement around change.”
In order to develop strategies to improve aspects of a university that was so new to her, President Olian spent her first few months simply listening.
“If you’re able to listen, you’ll learn an awful lot,” she said. “So, I tried to do that. I went around and met with the deans, the staff, the student groups, the government, and tried to see what people loved about Quinnipiac and where they saw opportunities. That formed the basis for our strategic planning process.”
Also included in the plan are new fields of study, such as environmental sciences, and an increase in data analytics across the curriculum to ensure students are data-savvy entering the 21st century workforce.
Although President Olian is focused on student education, her focus on student wellbeing is just as intense. She announced that the university has plans to launch a large wellness center in order to take care of both cognitive and emotional readiness in students, in addition to career readiness.
“The wellbeing center is going to be facilitated by physical fitness facilities, a wellness service center and programming,” Olian said. “Whatever it is that you need as a healthy foundation for life, we want this to be a part of the foundation.”
Another substantial announcement made during her presidency was the reveal of the Rocky Top Pub on the York Hill Campus. She believes the pub will improve social interaction between students and alumni.
The current interior of the future Rocky Top bar, On the Rocks. Credit: Peter O’ Neill
“There will be games in the People’s United Center. Having a beer if you’re of age or just grabbing food if you’re not is a part of college,” Olian said. “You learn every time you connect socially. We also want people to have fun at Quinnipiac, and this is a part of having fun.”
The atmosphere of new leadership and change is felt not only by President Olian but by members of the student body. Junior Student Government Vice President Sophia Marshall believes President Olian has made a huge impact on the culture of the campus and the administration.
“She makes it a point to really engage with the student body and in student events,” Marshall said. “I think she’s come in with a really great plan to renovate the school within the next five to 10 years.”
Marshall immersed herself into student government during her first year at Quinnipiac. At that time, former president John Lahey was in charge. However, she says she already sees differences between the two leaders.
“While President Lahey had a great tenure, he wasn’t as responsive to students towards the end,” Marshall said. “She’s come and created an immense, positive impact on the campus.”
In addition to working on Quinnipiac-focused initiatives, President Olian is determined to build a stronger connection with the surrounding communities of Hamden and North Haven.
“I think we’re crossing that rubicon and people are starting to see the value that Quinnipiac brings,” Olian said. “Obviously, it’s tremendous economic value.”
According to the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, Quinnipiac contributed over $3.1 billion to the Connecticut economy in 2017. Students themselves spent nearly $100 million in the surrounding community.
Although the economic contribution is substantial, some Hamden residents do not enjoy the experience of living in a college town, which is something Olian has realized.
“I think that sometimes there’s a little bit of frustration for some residents in some parts of the community that students are not respectful enough of their neighbors,” she said. “Of course, we are chagrined any time we hear of an episode, though they are rare.”
In 2015, Mayor Curt Leng stated that Quinnipiac students, for the majority, are good students. However, there are some issues with students not being compassionate and respectful neighbors in the community. Since then, he says he has seen improvements.
“I am thankful for the improved efforts to address these important neighborhood issues that the university has taken, including the great outreach efforts and commitment shown by Vice President and Chief of Staff Bethany Zemba and others to work on this issue in collaboration with the town,” Mayor Leng said.
President Olian continues to work on improving the university and its relationship with the surrounding communities.
“What we want is for everyone to appreciate the value of having students and a university in their backyard,” Olian said.
HAMDEN, Conn. – With only about three months left, first, second and third-year students at Quinnipiac University are nearing the end of their living situations this school year. Many questions will appear in the coming months, but the most important one on everyone’s mind seems to be centered around differing living experiences.
Many Quinnipiac students trek off-campus for housing in their collegiate career. Quinnipiac offers several housing options, and two for their second-year students located on the Mount Carmel and York Hill campuses.
“Then there’s a bunch of them [student houses] in the neighborhood which could bring up some negativity with families,” local property manager Ari Gorfain said. “The Washington Avenue, School Street, and Whitney Avenue areas are [student] populated, and those are the better places for them.”
Students that choose to remain on campus are entered into a lottery system hosted by the school. This lottery system randomly assigns a number that leads to priority choosing when housing is made available. Students who receive a higher lottery number may be added to another student’s room who holds a lower one.
Quinnipiac recently sent out housing contracts that need to be completed by March 6, 2020. The Quinnipiac lottery for housing opens March 27, 2020, which although an early date, doesn’t deter landlords from acting sooner than the school.
Gorfain was able to touch upon his process of filling up off-campus houses.
“Most of the time it’s friends of friends, and if friends have been at the house and like it, they reach out the sooner the better,” Gorfain said. “It starts all the way from day one of school.”
Some students are reached out to well before the second semester even begins. First year student Matteo Naclerio remembers when he was first approached about off-campus housing.
“I remember seeing a group chat notification about housing,” Naclerio said. “An upperclassmen I met in early September was reaching out to fill houses in the beginning of October. It put me in a weird spot because I was just taking my first exams and didn’t know anything about housing at that point.”
Current third-year Student Justin Arrichiello was extremely opposed to living on main campus. His situation differed from most, as he transferred to Quinnipiac University in the Spring semester of his first year. Arrichiello took shelter at Aspen Glen Apartments with some friends who were renting.
“When housing selections came, they came pretty quick, and that was before I made a bunch of connections with people that lived on my floor,” Arrichiello said. “I would much rather take living with people that I know over having a good housing situation.
A look at the “Hill” living option on Quinnipiac’s Mount Carmel Campus | Photo by John Morgan
“I slept on his couch instead of sleeping in my dorm room. I brought all of my clothes to Aspen, parked my car at Aspen, kept my toothbrush in his bathroom. I did everything there.”
Gorfain had this to say regarding the benefits of off-campus housing, “I feel like they like their independence more. Kids are growing up a lot faster when they hit their sophomore or junior years, and they want to be in a house with their friends.”
Students that live off campus seem to share similar concerns about transportation. Cars seem to be the main concern, and students seem to rarely be in favor of testing the shuttle system. Third-year students Michael Trezza and Stephen Brisman had several comments regarding the convenience.
“We really wanted to be on our time with driving to campus. We didn’t want to have to wait for shuttles,” Michael Trezza said.
A look at the “Village” living option on Quinnipiac’s Mount Carmel Campus | Photo by John Morgan
“I had five of us on York, and thirty of us on the main campus. We just didn’t want to take the shuttles,” Stephen Brisman said. “I didn’t want to hike to the garage [to get my car], when I can just get an apartment and park right next to my door.” Many off campus houses run through a funnel of students. Those who graduate in the upcoming year and/or are moving on from their residence work with their landlords to find possible replacement tenants.
The previous students living in that house attempt to build a level of trust with their landlord, and their landlord a level of trust with those who follow.
Many students are pulled from social media groups, athletic teams, and on campus organizations. The commonality of these demographics revolves around numbers. Landlords have the opportunity to take common interests and put them under one roof.
Whether regarding early activity, random roommates, or transportation and convenience issues, some Quinnipiac students are pushing to get off campus. To them, this appears to be the safest bet when it comes to playing the lottery.
Even 3,000 miles away from Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant’s impact as a basketball player will be felt for years to come.
HAMDEN, Conn.— 2,878 miles. That is the distance that separates Newport Beach, California, the home of the late basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, from Hamden, Connecticut, where Notre Dame High School boys basketball plays Hamden High School.
Over the course of the afternoon, the freshman teams, junior varsity teams and varsity teams from these schools will play each other on the hardwood at the Hamden High School Gymnasium.
Nine hours by flight from New Haven, 42 hours by car, 69 hours by bus. The man who donned the gold-and-purple for two decades, and the young athletes who are playing today, seem to have little connection to one another besides playing basketball.
However, the connection and impact that Bryant has left in the basketball world can be felt today in this gymnasium, nearly 3,000 miles away from where the Los Angeles Lakers play.
> “I wanted to (in basketball), do something for him. He taught me to have fun, be there for my family, and do what you love.” -Elijah Holder”
That ‘Mamba mentality’ that Bryant oozed and trademarked will live on with basketball players no matter where they live of all ages, as Hamden junior varsity basketball player Miles Anderson says, “Kobe is a legend.”
“He inspired a lot of people to play basketball, including me partly,” Anderson said. “I would not say he’s like (Michael Jordan), you know, because he is Kobe. To me, he is a role model, which makes it kind of sad that he is no longer with us.”
Hamden Hall player Elijah Holder following a game versus Notre Dame High School on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. | Photo by Jason Hirsch
Bryant and eight other passengers on his Sikorsky S-76 helicopter died in an accident on their way to Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. In the aftermath, Millions of sports fans around the globe instantly felt a sense of both loss and devastation.
An athlete of Bryant’s status passing away so young and in such a tragic manner is something that so rarely occurs in sports. Roberto Clemente, Emiliano Sala, Roy Halladay, Thurman Munson and Rocky Marciano are other names that come to mind.
When athletes of such a high caliber die in such a way, two schools of thought can occur: one of them is sadness from the sense of grief, confusion and loss. The other is the inspiration to take what they preached and apply it to yourself.
Elijah Holder, a freshman on the Hamden basketball team and an avid fan of Bryant, will use his sadness as inspiration to apply Bryant’s, ‘mamba mentality’ into his own life.
“He’s in a better place, balling upstairs,” Holder said. “I try to be happy knowing that he is in a better place now. I wanted to (in basketball), do something for him. He taught me to have fun, be there for my family, and do what you love.”
Even with Bryant’s passing, his memory and competitive desire to always be the best will be a message that resonates not just with basketball players, but with people of all walks of life for generations to come.
When Bryant stood in front of the tearful crowd at the Staples Center and proclaimed, “Mamba Out,” the reality is that the lessons and examples set by Bryant on and off the hardwood will never be forgotten. From Los Angeles to Hamden, Bryant’s legacy will not only be remembered, but live on.
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HAMDEN- B&D Deli Works, which has been known for serving Quinnipiac students and Hamden locals for six years, officially closed down on Dec. 21, 2019.
B&D first opened in August of 2013 and was owned by Amy Brejwo. The name came from Brejwo’s two sons, Ben and Dan. Brejwo spent many days and nights building the diner from the ground up, but she was very family oriented and had to step away from the business when it began to take up a lot of her family time.
Mark Mashaw, a resident of South Hamden, was a school teacher at the time Brejwo was looking for someone to take over the deli.
“I was a teacher for 18 years and I was looking for something new,” said Mashaw. “I had always wanted to be my own boss.”
In September of 2018, Mashaw became the new manager of B&D.
“Amy was a super human that could do more in one day than three people,” said Mashaw. “Whatever she had done worked so well, so I wanted to continue to do that.”
It didn’t take long for things to go south once Mashaw took over.
“Amy had created so much volume that everyday people were out the door,” said Mashaw. “Without Amy on the grill and giving directions, we could not keep up with the demand.”
Mashaw was exhausted from the beginning and they quickly lost a lot of regulars within the first few months. Most people that had worked for Brejwo had moved on to other things not long after she left.
Mashaw quickly found himself being very new to the job and having a whole set of new employees as well.
Outdoor dining option at B&D | Photo by Mackensie Judge
“We eventually found our own equilibrium, but at that point I was so in debt and could not pay any of my bills,” said Mashaw. “It was too late.”
Mashaw learned a lot of lessons through this experience that he will take with him going forward.
“I wanted to be my own boss for so long,” said Mashaw,” but what I didn’t think through was how hard it is being everyone else’s as well.”
The closing of B&D came as a shock to most students leaving them questioning if there was anything they could have done to help.
“My friends and I would go every weekend,” said senior Leanna Daniels. “Saturday mornings will never be the same. We should have done more to help such a great business with the nicest people.”
Others will miss the family oriented atmosphere and the delicious sandwiches, especially the most popular sandwich, the Randwich.
“Throughout my five years of attending Quinnipiac, B&D was one of my top places to go for food,” said graduate student Christian Casagranda. “Everything was fresh and made with care, which is something you don’t find too often around here.”
B&D has been bought by two men, Dennis and Dan and will soon be called Funcle’s. It will still remain a diner that serves breakfast and lunch, but it will be more upscale food.
As for Mashaw, he plans on taking the lessons he’s learned back to the classroom in the fall. In the meantime he is catching up on his housework and reading, but he is hopeful that Funcle’s will be the new successful business in the area.
HAMDEN, Conn.- A new health food establishment opened its doors to the Hamden community on Jan. 13. Fresh Greens & Proteins, located at 3450 Whitney Avenue, distances itself from the other greasy food establishments located around the Mount Carmel Campus.
Interior View of Fresh Greens & Proteins | Photo by Pat Hickey
Fresh Greens & Proteins mission statement is to create healthy options so you can eat better, which allows you to feel better and live better. This mission statement is achievable with the wide variety of healthy options, which include a fruit smoothie, shakes, specialty salads, rice bowls, acai bowls, wraps and parfait.
The menu is tailored towards the customers’ needs with the options to create your own of any of the categories listed above. One ingredient that Fresh Greens and Proteins offers that you don’t see too often is CBD. CBD can be added to any smoothie, shake, açaí bowl or parfait.
“I have been waiting for a restaurant that serves healthy food like this to open around main campus for years,” said Quinnipiac University senior Avery Hayes (‘20).
AJ Cooney blending a Cinnabunn Smoothie | Photo by Pat Hickey
The location of Fresh Greens & Proteins is not only close to many local businesses, but it’s also within walking distance from Main Campus and a quick shuttle ride from York Hill to the polling institute. Part-owner AJ Cooney is familiar with the area, and is happy the way that business is currently going.
“Students love the smoothie shakes and the açaí bowls,” Cooney said. “People usually have to go into New Haven to get this stuff.”
What makes this establishment stick out compared to others on Whitney Ave. and in Hamden is the mentality of not only focusing on Quinnipiac students, but the people of Hamden as well.
“I’ve seen a lot of repeat Hamden locals, obviously the students are apart of it, but they aren’t the majority yet,” said Cooney.
If you’re looking for some popular choices, the Rice Bowls, Acai Bowls and the PB&J Protein shake are a must.
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