Owner of Sporties in Fairfield praises REIT program, urges support for downtown businesses

Harry, owner of Sporties in downtown Fairfield, said he started the business 26 years ago and credited the city’s REIT program with enabling facade renovations that would otherwise have been unaffordable. “I started the business 26 years ago,” he said. “I would not be able to do it without that program.”

He described Sporties as a long-running downtown bar and entertainment venue with a large drinks selection and 21 televisions for sports packages. “What sets us apart here at Sporties is a great atmosphere, friendly staff. We have a huge selection of drinks, huge selection of draft beer… We have DJs twice a week,” Harry said, adding that the bar recently added a back patio where patrons can smoke and watch games.

Harry argued that backing downtown businesses brings more people and that customer spending benefits other local businesses and the city’s revenue. He told officials that the REIT program helped with façade work and that permitting was streamlined through the program, which reduced costs and administrative burden. “They streamlined all the permit process and made it very simple,” he said.

He closed his remarks by restating his name and encouraging the public to follow the city for information about similar programs. “My name is Harry and the buck stops here. To view more programs like this, follow the city of Fairfield on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook,” he said.

The remarks were a brief public endorsement of a local economic-development program and an appeal for continued support for downtown businesses.