News:
Brokerage
Posted: August 22, 2025
New England Retail Properties sells former
Smithland Supply for $3.2 million to Van Wilgen’s
Southington, CT Matt Halprin president of New England Retail Properties, Inc. has completed the $3.2 million sale of the former Smithland Supply Pet & Garden Center at 1198 Queen St. The property sold to Van Wilgen Garden Mart.
Van Wilgen Garden Mart is a family-owned multi-unit garden center founded in 1920. They have locations in Branford, North Branford, Clinton, Old Saybrook, and Guilford.
The former Smithland fits their profile of strong locations servicing their communities. The property was owned by an investment group out of New York .
Smithland had operated 15 locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts and closed the end of June 2025.
New England Retail Properties, Inc. was the exclusive broker for the owners.
MORE FROM Brokerage
Kelleher and Pentore of Horvath & Tremblay sell a 15-unit multi-family property in Chelsea, MA for $3.55 million
Chelsea, MA Dennis Kelleher and John Pentore of Horvath & Tremblay have successfully completed the sale of a 15 units for $3.55 million. 827-835 Broadway, which is a value-add type asset, is situated in a high-density, urban-infill neighborhood.
Quick Hits
Columns and Thought Leadership
End of the year retail thoughts - by Carol Todreas
Now what? As the year comes to a close, the state of retail is always in the news. The answers vary greatly depending on who in the various related industries you ask, each offering a unique lens on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The rise of AI in CRE - And what it means for every skilled profession - A broker & appraiser weighs in - by Bryan Plourde
This may seem self-serving, and I’ll be the first to admit it. But unlike some of the artificial intelligence tools now reshaping our industry, I am fully aware of my own bias. So, hear me out. The rise of AI in commercial real estate is not a distant threat or a speculative headline.