There was no time for a massage at Avance, or a taste of massive native scallops being touted at Market Place Kitchen & Bar. But US Senator Chris Murphy packed a lot of meeting and greeting into a brief tour of the Village at Lexington Gardens, March 28.

Accompanied by First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, Director of Planning George Benson, and economic development liaison Christal Preszler, Sen Murphy began his visit at Newtown Savings Bank where he was welcomed by CEO Ken Weinstein and Senior Vice President Anthony Giobbi. The bank executives along with about a dozen other NSB staffers were excited to show off their new hometown branch.

Then it was across the parking lot to Dental Associates where the senator marveled at the spacious contemporary decor, the advanced dental care technology, even the full-sized arcade video games available for the office’s younger patients.

“We didn’t have one of these when I was a kid,” Sen Murphy joked, pointing at one of the games. “If they did, I probably would have been really happy to go to the dentist.”

Sen Murphy and his escorts wound their way through the various offices and labs led by Dental Associates’ CEO Adam Richichi and Newtown Office Manager Donna Brock before heading over to Avance Day Spa, where he looked genuinely disappointed after turning down an offer for a quick, relaxing massage from staffers Cynthia Campel and Dawn Turcott.

Noting that owners Sandy and Frank Navone appeared to be at the soon-to-open Panificio Navona Bakery, the group popped in to the still-empty space that Mr Navone said would soon be bustling with hungry customers and his own unique brand of culinary delights.

With just a few minutes until departure time for his next appointment, Sen Murphy and the first selectman crossed over to Market Place Kitchen & Bar where Manager Matt Dohan and hostess Samantha Phillips talked briefly about the numerous local farms and purveyors that supply the restaurant. After looking over the menu and promising to return for a longer stay, Sen Murphy said farewell, jumped into his car, and zipped away to his next appointed stop.

Speaking with The Newtown Bee, Sen Murphy said this was the type of break he enjoys when he returns home from Washington.

“I like to stop in and visit local businesses to learn how the economy is doing and see how I can help,” he said. “This plaza is a really important revitalization project on a parcel that had been out of service for awhile, and Dan [Rosenthal] is really proud of it, so I thought I’d take a few minutes between stops in the area to check it out.”