Posted on 09/09/2004 7:59:19 PM PDT by CurlyBill
Since opening four and a half months ago, Marczewski has seen images of a young man throughout the shop, Chiane’s Gourmet Coffee House & Café. Persechino said she’d never seen anything out of the ordinary herself, but that all changed about a month ago.
"I was downstairs and I could hear chairs moving upstairs," she said. "Then I began to hear people talking, having a conversation."
Persechino thought the radio may have been on or there might have been customers waiting, but she remembered that she locked the door because she was the only one there and the shop wasn’t open yet for the day. The possibility of Marczewski being in the shop also crossed her mind. However, Persechino received no response to repeated calls from the bottom of the stairs. When she finally reached the top of the stairs the noises had stopped, the radio wasn’t on and the door was locked.
Just a few days ago, Persechino saw what she thought was a customer standing at the front counter while she was in the kitchen, located in the back of the 77 Main St. shop. After yelling to the person, "I’ll be right with you," she looked up in time to see the figure, a male described to have dark hair, slim figure and in his late teens or early 20s, walk behind a pillar in the store and disappear.
"The kid will be there and then he fades," she said. "I never believed in ghosts until I saw him."
Even customers have mentioned seeing things at times, they said. One customer thought someone was walking behind him and when he turned around - nothing.
The two went as far as contacting the Torrington Historical Society to learn any information and history about the building and their stop.
Historical Society Curator Gail Kruppa said she hasn’t done any extensive research so far, but she does have a brief history of the building.
Built in 1902 by the Torrington Building Co., the building, which included storefronts 73-83, was first owned by George Lilley before he became the state’s governor. Kruppa believes that the building’s usage hasn’t changed drastically over the years. She believes, like now, the building was used for apartments above and stores on the ground level.
"That’s something that would be great to find something about," Kruppa said of the ghost’s history. "Of course there is no way I could find out information, historical information, about any ghosts ..that’s something we don’t have any record on."
Neither Persechino nor Marczewski believe the presence to be an evil one. If anything, they said, it’s there to protect them. Marczewski once felt someone leaning over his shoulder as he was slicing meat in the kitchen. When he turned around he saw the face of the man as it was backing up and then just faded away.
Even a psychic, who happens to be a customer from time to time, has told them of a presence in the building. She told the owners that she felt many people in there, including a woman wearing 1950s-style clothing.
Though the two have never seen anything else besides the young man, they don’t doubt that there may be more. "It’s weird because you can feel when he’s around," Marczewski said of the young man.
Both are interested in finding out what Kruppa comes up with or anyone else who may know any history of the building. The two joke about ever coming across a photo with the young man in it.
"Although, I’d like to still believe I’m hallucinating," Marczewski said.
Rick Klimanowski can be reached by e-mail at winsted@registercitizen.com.
I'm a bit surprised in your bookmarks for the second message, that story concerning the odd image at I believe Buckingham Palace is not listed, surely, that was discussed here, but whether it's a ghost, I'd call that a spector, but it was caught on their close circuit films.
I have never seen a ghost but had some weird experiences- although I am not sure they were just evil and not harmless "ghosts."
I went to college in New Britain, and had some friends from Torrington. It and Winsted were apparently near some meridian that attractive paranormal activity. A bunch of friends went up there to some town (can't remember the name) to get creeped out.
Thanks for mentioning this site! A lot of fun. If you or anyone knows anymore like this, please post the link...
re: "Well then tell us about them"
I had an office upstairs in a building in Tampa that had been a home built in 1890. My space was upstairs, in the rear of the building. I work a lot late at night and frequently had the feeling I was not alone in the building. The most interesting thing was that I would hear sounds quite frequently. Not bumps or anything, but the sounds of a group of people or a party going on. Talking, music and the sound of glasses and silverware. It was one of those things where you heard the sounds while you were doing something else and as soon as they got your attention and you started listening to identify them they were gone. I was up there working one night about 2 AM and suddenly felt here was someone standing right behind me. The instant I felt someone was there I felt someone touch me on my right shoulder, as if to get my attention. I turned, but there was no one there. It STILL gives me goose bumps to think about it or tell someone about it. I put down the papers I had in my hand and left the building without delay. I never went there at night after that. I never sensed the presence or sounds were threatening, just sort of friendly or curious. I go by the building every now and then and wonder if the current occupants have visitors.
I work in a county courthouse handling the old court records. Several times people have come in to my office seeking to find if somebody died in their house, because they have been seeing and/or hearing things. The owners of the coffee shop should contact their local Clerk of Courts - or whoever holds the coroners reports. They may find an answer as to the young man's identity and the manner of his death.
Cool! I love ghost stories! :-)
I have got to tell you I was a nonbeliever prior to this experience. It was 1982 and it still spooks me! Not in a bad way, just something that totally defies explanation. I had been in the building for about six months when I had my 'contact'. The sound was always like there was party going on downstairs.
My family bought a home in South Miami, that we still own. It was one of the first houses on the block and was built around the 40's. Sometimes when I would go out and party all night and get back home late usually around 3-5am, I would would hear strange noises. When I would walk in through the Florida room I would come to another door that would lead into the house. Since I was much younger and had to follow my dad's rules, I would try to quietly sneek in and go to bed before I would get the usual tounge lashing from pop. Coming to the first door, I would always put my ear to it to listen if my mom or dad was walking around the kitchen or living room. Sometimes I would hear noises like a people talking but I couldnt make out what was being said. I would then look under the door to see if the kitchen light was on. I would see a glow coming from the kitchen light or dining room an would think "damn here it comes." When I would open the Florida room door and look, it was pitch black and no one was awake. This would happen many times to me and I would find myself reasoning "OK let me SURE this time." And every time I would check under the door and listen, then open, NADA. Nothing. One year we decided to close off the garage and knock down a wal in order to make it an apartment for my sister and her new husband to move in. This hole in the garage wall was open for around a month while we were making the changes and I would come in that way. One night I came in and specificaly heard someone whistling this pretty song. I couldnt make out where it was coming from but I could hear it "floating around" the area. I knew it was not my father or brother because my family has this bad luck that we just cant whistle toons like that. Some time later I had an aunt come over from Cuba and my brother and I had to sleep in the dining room for a few months. The dining room was adjacent to the garage. One night I was sleeping and I heard this man just yell his head off in my ear. I awoke and my ear was still ringing. Very odd. I am not one to look for ghosts and Im not wishing to "see" one really. I do remember reading in some books that when old places are remodeled that this sometimes causes spirits or ghosts to appear. A lot of TV shows I have seen regarding ghost stories usually has the people remodeling or refurbishing a home or place.
Thanks for the ping! I've had experiences similar to this. I grew up on a farm in an old house where wakes used to take place. To save money, people just held the wakes in their homes.
That's very interesting. It gives you an idea of how common these things are. Are these properties primarily old ones that they are asking about?
Yes, the one house was built in the 1860's. I don't know how old the other two houses are. The 1860's house is now being used for student housing (we're a university town). Another house is a farmhouse, and I don't know about the third.
Yes, the one house was built in the 1860's. I don't know how old the other two houses are. The 1860's house is now being used for student housing (we're a university town). Another house is a farmhouse, and I don't know about the third.
Not far from here in Ellicott City, MD (established in 1772, but flourished throughout the 1800's) there are several similar locations. The guy who does the ghost tours said that he visited numerous local businesses to ask if they've had ghosts. He thought that many would laugh at him, but apparently nearly everyone either had encountered something or referred him to someone who had. He said that he received NO ridicule, which surprised him.
I Live in torrington, Wyoming, the entire valley is haunted. Ironically, the Main Street Coffee house building (there is more than one business there, although they seem to fail more often than not) is very haunted, I have been in teh basement where the sound of someone walking above you is prominant, and the visual cue to teh stairs is very familiar.
The Pizza Hut is also widely known as haunted, as is the Pamida Department store. Basically i think the land has been used for burial sites multiple times and the energy is starting to show through the bricks that come from teh ground.
Ft. Laramie is an impressive site, especially since certain buildings will reappear at night.
Wow!! You've bumped a 2 year old article.
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