For many in the 068 area, the name Pamby is synonymous with top-tier car service and sales. What started out 75 years ago as a small two-man repair shop on Bailey Avenue, has developed into a full-service Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealership, a state-of-the-art auto body shop and a full-service Sunoco gas station operating out of three locations in Ridgefield. In 1948, Matty Pambianchi and his brother, Harry opened an auto repair and body shop on Bailey Avenue. In 1954, their brother Otto joined the business, and the trio opened their first dealership on Route 35, selling Studebakers, Packards, and Tydol Gasoline. In 1960, the Pambianchi family acquired an American Motors franchise, which eventually became Jeep. In 1976, Matty, along with his three sons, built the showroom on Danbury Road. Eventually, they outgrew that space and opened the current showroom on Route 7. Today, Pamby Motors Inc. continues to be a family-owned and operated local business spanning three generations. They have over 60 full-time employees, from auto technicians to adminstrative personnel, many of whom have worked for the company for decades. Pamby Motors is one of the longest-serving and most prominent businesses in Ridgfield. The Pambianchi family continuously looks for ways to give back to their community. They sponsor events like the Pamby Half-Marathon, The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce annual golf tournament, organize a holiday food drive for Family and Children’s Aid, and participate in the Toys for Tots program. They also sponsor multiple high school sports and youth athletic leagues along with providing college scholarships to Ridgefield High School seniors under the “Matty Pambianchi Scholarship” for the past 37 years.John, Mike, Fred, Tim, Andy, and Nick Pambianchi thank their customers for their continued support and trust. They look forward to serving the community for another 75 years.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 29th and plan to be in downtown Ridgefield for a double dose of fun! The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be working together with Downtown Ridgefield Merchants and the Ridgefield Arts Council to create a family-friendly day with something for everyone! The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce is hosting its much-anticipated annual Summerfest. Main Street will be closed to traffic and transformed into a pedestrian walkway from 10:00am – 2:00pm for an incredible day of shopping and entertainment. “Summerfest 2023, on beautiful historic Main Street and the downtown area, is sure to be one of Ridgefield’s favorite summer festivals,” says Suzanne Brennan, Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce Board President and Executive Director, Lounsbury House. In addition, the Ridgefield Arts Council will present Music & Art in the Park from 12:00 noon – 5:00pm in Ballard Park. Local musicians will be performing jazz, rock, blues, and everything in between throughout the day, and artists will have their work on display. “So many people enjoyed the combination of music and visual arts last summer that the RAC is thrilled to bring this event back,” says Jennifer Dineen, Ridgefield Arts Council member. “It will be quite a day for the community.”
by Jana Williams
Executive Chef, Hector Rodriguez, wants you to know Big Little Taco’s signature Cuban Empanada is going to knock your socks off! Made with slow roasted pork, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles, the mouthwatering dish is a staple at his full service, custom-catered events. Big Little Taco, a catering company that also does pop-up events, specializes in preparing Latin-inspired food from central and south America, through to the Caribbean. “Big Little Taco’s menu was born out of a love of my traditional Latin roots but influenced by my professional training as a French chef,” says Rodriguez. Having worked at several well-known NYC restaurants including the Russian Tea Room, Rodriguez moved to Ridgefield with his family and immediately wanted to create a different kind of catering company. Preparing the food off-site, he will sustainably plate and serve everything from appetizers to main entrees and desserts. “Big Little Taco is very versatile,” says Rodriguez. “I can do a pop-up at Nod Hill Brewery as easily as a buffet birthday celebration for 100, or an intimate, sit-down dinner for 25.”To get a taste of what Big Little Taco offers, look for their truck at the July 4th Fireworks at Ridgefield High School or follow them on Instagram @biglittletaco.
The Wilton Land Trust (WLT) was established in 1964 to conserve and protect Wilton’s unique open space and support biodiversity. Today, the WLT owns or holds conservation easements on 119 separate parcels totaling nearly 835 acres in Wilton.
Amongst these parcels of land is 183 Ridgefield Road, which was purchased in 2020 through grants and fundraising. “Merely a stone’s throw from downtown awaits the Chestnut Meadows Nature Preserve, 14-acres of beautiful and timeless open space. Visitors can wander idyllic trails, stroll in an orchard of American chestnut trees, and immerse themselves in nature,” says WLT Executive Director David McCarthy.Perhaps the most exciting feature of ”183” is the American chestnut orchard. The American chestnut tree, often considered the redwood of the Northeast and known for its rapid growth and beautiful wood, became functionally extinct in the early 1900’s due to an invasive fungus. To help restore the American chestnut, the WLT partnered with the American Chestnut Foundation and established a germplasm conservation orchard (GCO) to cross-breed the trees and increase their resistance to chestnut blight. WLCT volunteers have planted over 30 American chestnut tree saplings, which will produce nuts for harvesting to seed future orchards. “The hope is to one day repopulate the American chestnut throughout the Northeast,” says McCarthy.
To learn more about WLT, please visit wiltonlandtrust.org.
Strolls into Town on Friday, August 25th
Ridgefield Guild of Artists presents its 10th Annual Art Walk, when downtown Ridgefield comes alive with “strolling” art galleries.Merchants along Main Street and Bailey Avenue “host” artists for Art Walk 2023.
Opening night is August 25th from 5-8pm with artists outside their stores for “meet and greets.” Saturday, August 26th, is Artist Day from 12-4pm, with artists on the sidewalks showing their wares and demonstrating their craft. “Visit us at the information table outside Town Hall opening weekend for directions, maps and processing sales,” says Pam Stoddart, Ridgefield Guild of Artists’ Executive Director. All artwork is for sale.
Art Walk brings art, music and a festive atmosphere to downtown Ridgefield. “It’s our end of summer celebration! We look forward to welcoming our artists and ‘strolling’ visitors opening weekend as we mark our 10th year!” says Stoddart.
Art Walk continues after opening weekend with artwork remaining in downtown Ridgefield through Sunday, September 10th.
RGOA, now in its forty-ninth year, is housed in the antique barn at 34 Halpin Lane. For more information about Art Walk, along with all Guild offerings, visit www.rgoa.org or call 203.438.8863.
