Mansfield Mayor Toni Moran (left) and Cut to the Chase owner Lori Petrella (right) celebrate the grand opening of the salon’s new location in Downtown Storrs with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
September 3, 2025: The start of a new school year brings excitement for new beginnings in Downtown Storrs as students return to E. O. Smith High School and the University of Connecticut. This year, three businesses are sharing in that excitement! The Mansfield Downtown Partnership welcomes two new businesses to Downtown Storrs and congratulates a third business on their brand new location.
Cut to the Chase, a long-time fixture in Downtown Storrs, has moved to 1206 Storrs Road. Owner Lori Petrella opened the independent, Redken-based salon which specializes in popular trends, in 2010. Cut to the Chase offers a wide variety of services, including haircuts and styles for men and women, highlights, color, fashion color, perms, conditioning treatments, and lash extensions as well as K18 services and retail. While online booking is available, walk-ins are always welcome.
Cut to the Chase celebrated the grand opening of their new location on Saturday, August 30. Family, friends, and staff enjoyed a ribbon-cutting, door gifts, discounts, and more. Mansfield Mayor Toni Moran provided welcoming remarks and was joined by Ms. Petrella in cutting the ribbon to the new salon.
Next up, Nikki’s Dog House will welcome hungry fans to the grand opening of their new restaurant in Downtown Storrs. A beloved, independent institution in Putnam, Nikki’s Dog House has been serving up retro eats and modern fun since 1980. Their new spot, located in 1244 Storrs Road, is their second location.
Owners Larry and Erica Groh purchased the Putnam restaurant from the Johnson family, the original owners who named the business after their daughter. Since then, the Grohs have strived to continue the Nikki’s Dog House legacy by blending nostalgic charm with bold, modern flavors. Their menu includes a wide selection of creative takes on Coney dogs, milkshakes, tacos, and more.
The Partnership and the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce (NECT Chamber) have teamed up to congratulate Nikki’s Dog House on their expansion on Saturday, September 6. The fun begins at 10:30 AM.
“We are so excited to be welcomed to the Mansfield community. We look forward to serving you our famous Coney Island hot dogs and more!”
Later in September, Ledgebrook Massage Center will open the doors to their new location in 1244 Storrs Road. This small, family-owned massage practice has been proudly serving the Mansfield community since 2021.
In addition to traditional massage modalities like deep tissue, Swedish, trigger point therapy, sports massage, stretching, warm bamboo, and myofascial release, the team of medical massage practitioners at Ledgebrook blend traditional massage with clinical treatment, specializing in pain management and advanced lymphatic drainage for swelling, surgeries, and sickness.
As a medical massage practice, Ledgebrook provides insurance-ready documentation for client reimbursement, accepts VA Community Care and HSA/FSA forms of payment, and offers affordable oncology massage. Staff at Ledgebrook Massage Center provide comprehensive treatments and coordination with clients’ medical care team.
The Mansfield Downtown Partnership provided signs to each business to promote their celebrations.
Ledgebrook Massage Center will host their grand opening, with help from the Partnership and the NECT Chamber, on Thursday, September 18 at 4:00 PM. Plans include tours of the new location, a chance to win a free massage, exclusive discounts, and chair massage demos.
Mansfield Downtown Partnership Executive Director Steven Ferrigno stated “The Mansfield Downtown Partnership is thrilled to welcome Nikki’s Dog House and Ledgebrook Massage Center to Downtown Storrs and to celebrate the continued success of Cut to the Chase Salon. With UConn’s academic year kicking off, there is an incredible energy in town and these businesses add even more life and vibrancy to our wonderful community.”
“The Northeastern CT Chamber is excited to partner with the Mansfield Downtown Partnership to celebrate these new chapters for local businesses! So far in 2025, we've cut the ribbon for 30 grand openings across our 23-town region - each one is a reminder of the incredible strength of our business community. We look forward to continuing to support amazing businesses in the northeast corner of Connecticut," remarked Elle-Jordyn Sherman, Executive Director of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
With the opening of these three businesses, Downtown Storrs is now home to 72 businesses and organizations. Over fifty percent of the businesses are independently owned and operated, with the rest comprised of a mixture of national and regional chains, locally-owned franchises, and non-profit organizations. Several University of Connecticut entities are also located in Downtown Storrs, including UConn Health and the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry.
“We are a rare blend, a classic New England town with the energy and opportunities of a vibrant college community, and our diverse business blend reflects that. ”
“The fact that two businesses are opening here and another is expanding their presence shows just how attractive Mansfield is as a place to do business,” said Ferrigno. “We are a rare blend, a classic New England town with the energy and opportunities of a vibrant college community, and our diverse business blend reflects that. We welcome creative entrepreneurs to bring their business ideas to Mansfield and invite residents and visitors alike to explore and enjoy the varied attractions and businesses we are proud to host here.”
Business owners interested in opening in or relocating to in Downtown Storrs or elsewhere in the Town of Mansfield are encouraged to contact the Mansfield Downtown Partnership to learn more about how Mansfield is your place to grow (mdp@mansfieldct.org, 860.429.2740).