Meridenite of the Week: Ross Gulino

Ross Gulino is truly a man about town. If you don’t know him personally, you may have seen the signs around the city advertising his Meriden real estate for rent or sale. Gulino’s goal for his town is clear: “My vision is a vibrant downtown where people live and shop and commute from.”

Gulino sees completion of the downtown transportation project as a key to that vision. “I believe having a commuter train station right downtown will reinforce the working residential class in our town,” he says.

As a real estate broker, Gulino has turned many of his acquired buildings into viable work and living spaces. Amid the heart of downtown he owns buildings like 33-37 and 57-65 West Main Street, where ground-floor businesses such as Feel Fresh Hair Studio and Cafe Dolce anchor living space for artists above. Gulino wants to bring a diverse community downtown and designates certain apartments exclusively for people who work in the arts. He has had photographers, painters, dancers, and various other artistic folk live and work in his spaces. He believes that after the completion of the train station there won’t be any reason why Meriden cannot become a more diverse and socially vibrant town.

“I envision people coming out of their apartments, grabbing coffee, getting on the train, commuting to work, coming home to dine, shop and socialize locally,” he says. “That’s my wish for the future of Meriden, and I hope that it happens in my lifetime.”

Gulino also is a member of the Town Planning Commission and sits on the Building Codes Appeal Board--positions for which he is proud to volunteer.

“Because of my knowledge of construction and old buildings, it’s useful to have me hear the citizens' appeals and help them understand what the city is asking them to do,” he explains.

Gulino recently volunteered for the fifth year in a row at the annual Sgt. Jeff Boucher Memorial Car Show in the Hub downtown. 

“I bought and restored a 1973 International Scout--the first SUV made specifically for the show this year. I remade it into an off-road beach SUV with a bikini top.”

Gulino and his wife, Lisa, have three boys: Nick (18), Mike (15) and Joey (12).

Name - Ross Gulino

Occupation - Connecticut Licensed Real Estate Broker (Gulino Real Estate) and Property Manager (Silver City Property Management)

How long have you lived in Meriden? - I grew up in Wallingford and graduated from Xavier in '84, and then moved to Meriden 15 years ago.

What do you like best about the city? - I like the fact that I can live on the outskirts of town and feel like I’m in the country and then five minutes later I’m downtown.

What do you like least about the city? - The lack of things to do downtown after hours.

Favorites:

Place to eat in the city - Cafe Dolce. I can be found there every day for lunch. It’s a little oasis in the center of downtown--a real social beacon.

Place to shop in the city - It was Lowe's on East Main Street, and I’m very bummed it closed. Even though there is one in Wallingford, it’s just not the same as having it right in my backyard.

Place to visit in the city - Giuffrida Park. I used to bring my dog there, who is now too old for the hiking, but it is such a great place to bring dogs.

What's your fondest memory in Meriden? - Hiking with my three sons on Mt. Besek Blue Trail overlooking the city, Black Pond and the new dam. 

Can you tell us about a recent accomplishment? - I’m most proud of the redevelopment of several buildings downtown that I have a hand in.