Party and Event Venue Application Approved in Avon

The space next to Moosavi Persian Rugs in Old Avon Village has been about kids for a while, transitioning from Sweet Tooth candy store to a temporary Talcott Mountain Science Center and Academy holiday store in December.

Thanks to the Planning and Zoning Commission's approval of a special exception Tuesday night for an "indoor dance and party/entertainment business, " 
Blink is coming to town.

Blink, the brainchild of Simsbury residents Dariusz Orlowski and his wife Leanne, would be a space to reserve for small birthday parties, Sweet 16 events, middle school dances for up to 150 kids, fundraisers, and events for kids while their parents have a date night. The venue will serve toddlers to adults.

"There are limited party venues in the Farmington Valley," Leanne Orlowski said.

The application passed by a 4-3 vote, and commission alternate Elaine Primeau, who was not seated at the table, commented against Blink during the public hearing as a neighbor to the building. Primeau was primarily concerned about noise and teenagers leaving the premise without supervision.

“Knowing and dealing with that age group of students over 30 years, there is no way the sound level is going to be maintained," said Primeau, who is also an art teacher at Avon Middle School.

She also asked about Blink's compliance with state regulations for a facility fit for children, stating, "you are legally responsible for them for that length of time. It seems to me that there are a lot of open-ended questions that have not been answered."

The commission members were also concerned about traffic flow and how the events would affect parking, and Leanne Orlowski said that she is willing to reach a compromise. She added that most of the birthday parties would have up to 20 people dropping off and picking up their kids, and also noted that the parents could walk around Old Avon Village after doing so.

“In the middle school and high school, they’re not 16," Primeau said. "If you hold an event in that building for 16 year olds and under, there’s going to be a shortage of parking because 16 year olds can’t carry anyone else in the car."

Safety is a primary concern, Leanne Orlowski said, and that is one of the main reasons she wants to open Blink — to give Avon teenagers a place to hang out safely.

Leanne said, "we're not saying 16, 17 and 18-year-olds come out and be evil. Come dance and be safe."

There were several conditions to the commission's approval of the venue, including no outside activities, closing by 10:30 p.m. and designing a temperary drop off zone, said Ann August, on-site property manager. The permit is good for two years, and then the commission will review the business.

Some commission members had questioned whether Blink will fit Old Avon Village, but August said "Blink is so compatible with the other businesses." All of the businesses have been notified, but August said she does not know what the other businesses think of the proposal.

Resident Susan P. Norman said that she liked the idea and asked if limiting the hours to the day would help. Dariusz said that "the majority of business will be parties for the toddler age and tween level."

She and Dariusz came up with the idea "when they went to a Christmas party" and her daughter danced on the dance floor. Leanne Orlowski said she saw how much fun her daughter had and thought other kids and teenagers might enjoy that too.

"Kids like the freedom to move, dance and be with their friends," said said.

Dariusz Orlowski said the facility will not have a liquor license or make food, but Leanne Orlowski added that the company would offer store-bought snacks and drinks at parties. Adults may be allowed to bring their own alcohol for fundraising events on a contract-by-contract basis and people can also bring pizza.