Best Web Design in New Britain, CT (2026)

Web Design for New Britain, Connecticut

New Britain is a Hartford County city whose factories once made it the 'Hardware Capital of the World,' home base of what became Stanley Black & Decker. A wave of Polish immigration gave rise to its Little Poland district, so beloved the city is nicknamed 'New Britski.' Today it mixes a storied industrial past with a renowned American art museum, a state university, and a hot-dog culture strong enough to earn an official state title.

AppWT works with New Britain, CT businesses from Livonia, Michigan, mostly online and travelling as needed.

About New Britain

Also known as. Hardware City. Hardware Capital of the World. New Britski. Hot Dog Capital of Connecticut.

History. New Britain was settled in 1687 and incorporated as the New Britain Society parish in 1754, separating from Farmington and Berlin. It was chartered as a township in 1850 and as a city in 1871. In 1843, Frederick Trent Stanley founded Stanley's Bolt Manufactory to make door bolts and wrought-iron hardware; in 1857 his cousin Henry Stanley founded the Stanley Rule and Level Company. Other major manufacturers headquartered in the city included P&F Corbin (1848), Landers, Frary & Clark (1842), the Union Manufacturing Company (1866), and North & Judd.

Local economy. Stanley Black & Decker maintains its global headquarters in the city. Top employers include Central Connecticut State University (about 2,879 employees), the Hospital of Central Connecticut, the City of New Britain, and the Hospital for Special Care. The city's last Stanley manufacturing plant closed in 2026, prompting reflection on its 'Hardware City' identity.

Culture and community. Little Poland along Broad Street was officially designated in 2008 and features bilingual businesses and Polish-language newspapers. The annual Little Poland Festival has drawn tens of thousands of visitors celebrating Polish heritage with food, music, and vendors. Local food institutions include Capitol Lunch ('Cappy's'), serving hot dogs in a signature Greek-style meat sauce since 1929, and Polish restaurants such as Euro Plate known for hand-made pierogi. The New Britain Museum of American Art is the oldest U.S. museum devoted to American art.

What makes New Britain distinct. The wire coat hanger was invented in New Britain in 1869. The basketball dribbling technique was developed at the local YMCA in 1895, and racquetball originated at the same YMCA in 1954. Polish President Andrzej Duda visited in September 2019, addressing thousands at Walnut Hill Park. Governor Ned Lamont proclaimed New Britain the 'Hot Dog Capital of Connecticut' in 2024, owing to its many hot-dog establishments.

New Britain Landmarks and Local Life

• New Britain Museum of American Art
• Walnut Hill Park - designed by Frederick Law Olmsted
• New Britain Industrial Museum
• Central Connecticut State University
• New Britain Stadium
• The Little Poland district on Broad Street