Coffee with New Canaan's Tucker Murphy
The Chamber of Commerce leader says new businesses are moving into the village (don't say "downtown") of New Canaan.
Tucker Murphy is used to being seen. From the age of three into her early 20s, Murphy appeared in close to 100 local and national television commercials. It's been more than twenty years since she's appeared on small screens throughout the country, but Murphy is highly-visible to the people of New Canaan. However, as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Murphy is a lot more interested in being heard when it comes to bringing new business to town.
"Our vacancy rate in town is less than four percent and three more contracts were signed last weekend," said Murphy, who confirmed that one of the new tenants is Suburban Couture, a high-end, mother-daughter clothing store that will be located at 110 Main Street next to Connecticut Muffin. "By the end of March, we could be 100 percent on Elm Street, which hasn't happened in a long time."
Murphy, who is also on Town Council and served on the Board of Education at one time, is not only seeking new tenants for vacant stores, but she's working on a small make-over for New Canaan.
"I'm on this whole new branding mission," she said. "I'm going to to start training everybody in New Canaan to not call it downtown New Canaan. I want to talk about the village of New Canaan. You have downtown L.A., you have downtown Stamford, you have downtown wherever. It sounds very different than downtown," Murphy added. "It's all about setting us apart from every other town around here. We are different. We are unique."
Murphy might not be different, but she is rather unique and is someone who definitely stands out in New Canaan. However, she realizes that there are some critics out there.
"You can't be all things to all people all of the time," she said. "I know that everybody doesn't like me. I see myself as a cheerleader for New Canaan. If people find fault with that or whatever it is, it is. But I go to bed every night knowing that I did my job and then some."
In This article
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Tucker Murphy
Joined Patch Monday, May 9, 2011 -
Connecticut Muffin
108 Main St, New Canaan, CT -
JTA
6:49 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Love the job u r doing in the village, Tucker, keep it up!!!!!
arnold karp
8:32 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Great work being the leader of the "village" bandwagon
Hilary Hotchkiss
8:49 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
New Canaan is on a roll ... people about all the time shopping, dining enjoying themselves ... this is what a wonderful community like New Canaan is all about and your vision and hard work has been instrumental in making it this way.
susan serven
9:07 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tucker, you are such an asset to the "Village" of New Canaan! :-)
Spencer Wilson
9:13 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
New restaurants, diverse shops, beautiful lamp posts, and a renewed sense of community are all contributing to our town's vibrancy. Mrs Murphy has led the charge in many of these initiatives and deserves every accolade. Having attended recent events hosted by the Chamber including the Holiday Stroll, Sidewalk Sale and the Halloween Parade with my children it is clear to me that our town is in great hands. Thank-you for all you do for New Canaan, your energy and effort to make our town great never go unnoticed!!
Maggie M
9:30 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tucker has also done a lot to promote the "buy local" (whenever possible) mentality, which is critical in keeping our local shop owners in business. As a consumer I have taken her lead to think about buying items in town and have found on average I can find almost everything I need right here and don't always have to pay more. It also makes me happy when I see one of our local stores be able to support our community by sponsoring one of my children's teams or an ad in a program. A win-win. Nice job Tucker!!
Augie
8:01 am on Thursday, April 5, 2012
"buy local", except if your a Merchant in town...just check out the 'out of town' ad signs in all the planters in front of the their stores.
Justsayin....
9:37 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I grew up on the south side. It always was and always will be Uptown...
Muffy Lewis
9:54 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
You are doing an awesome job Tucker - and always with your wonderful smile!
Lisa Najarian
1:11 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
It takes a village!
suzie binch
8:14 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tucker is to be applauded over and over again. Her energy and commitment to New Canaan has no bounds. A true privilege for me to have grown up here and yes, there have been changes. Nothing can stay the same! New Canaan has become a destination with a community that has great heart with a "Village" that still feels very much like home!
Susan O. Singer
10:49 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tucker,
I've lived here for 12 years and have never paid any attention to the Chamber of Commerce. Never had any reason to. Sorry, but it's true. However, with you on the job and iBlast now under the aegis of the Chamber, it feels like there is suddenly movement and growth. We New Canaan residents and business owners are lucky to have you in this job...despite what the hater above me has to say. It's not just about doing a job. It's about doing it well and making an impact. That takes leadership and vision; something that deserves "fussing" about. I for one am on your side and very appreciative of what you're doing. May you have great success!
Susan O. Singer
Founder and CEO, The Closet Curator
Sheila Torgan
10:11 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
This is directed at "watchman" – First of all get your facts straight, the Chamber Director position is part time...technically 9-12 Monday – Friday. I don't think there has been a week where Tucker has put in *less* than 40 hours at her post. Secondly, Tucker is the Director of the Chamber of COMMERCE for New Canaan, publicly advocating for the village and its merchants.
Her efforts have sparked a renewed sense of community and enthusiasm. I get the sense that your “arm chair” opinion is because you don’t know Tucker. Why don’t you pop in to the chamber offices one day and introduce yourself. You might feel less inclined to dismiss her extraordinary efforts as, “just doing her job.”
Glen K Dunbar
10:01 am on Thursday, April 5, 2012
Tuck ole buddy. Yea, I have to even tip my hat to you pal. Awsome job buddy. I do try to shop here in town and patronize it as much as I can. EVEN though I do disagree w/how I am treated most of the time. Hey, my wife need a job here in town. Can you use your connections to find her one?? Thanks GLEN