10 Surprising Facts About the Polonia Business Association

With so many different clubs and organizations around, the Polonia Business Association is often confused with other groups.

Of course, after you read some of their accomplishments, it's no surprise the group was selected as a Best Non Profit Organization winner in the New Britain Herald Readers' Poll.

So here are a few fun facts about the Polonia Business Association you might not know:

1. The Polonia Business Association petitioned New Britain to designate an area of the city as “Little Poland”

There are plenty of Little Italys, Chinatowns, Germantowns Little Havanas and French Quarters.Why not a Little Poland? Since the 1890s, Broad Street has been a historically Polish neighborhood. Today, over 70 Polish businesses call the area home. It wasn't until the PBA petitioned the city of New Britain that the designation was made official. It received a unanimous vote in favor from the Common Council. Today, Broad Street is now officially Little Poland. The Boston Globe even referred to it as a "City's Polish Heart" and Where to Retire Magazine cited it as one of the reasons New Britain was designated a "City of Tradition"

2. The PBA brought back the Polish street festival.

With leaping folk dancers, costumed characters, live music, mountains of food and plenty of shopping, the annual Little Poland festival attracted over ten thousand people to shop and dine in New Britain. Celebrating Polish culture, visitors can try Polish food, listen to Polish music and view Polish art. With growing numbers each year, the festival continues to grow by leaps and bounds. It provides a great forum for PBA members and other businesses from throughout New England to showcase their offerings.

3. The PBA has worked to improve neighborhoods

Working with the city of New Britain, Police and Public Works, the PBA has taken an active role in improving the city. Members installed cameras, work with Police and follow up in court with victims of vandalism. They attend streetscape meetings, common council meetings and various zoning & permit hearings throughout the year. Streetscape improvements throughout the city received the input of PBA members including directional street signs, red & white parking lanes, park & bridge improvements, walking tour signs and even the big Welcome to Little Poland sign greeting visitors. Visitors that have not been to Broad Street for a few years are usually pleasantly surprised at the neighborhood's turnaround. Members like Vice President Kris Rutkowski are active in rehabbing properties throughout the city.

4. The PBA is made up of some of the best businesses in the state

The PBA is proud of its members. Many of them made the New Britain Herald's annual "Best of" List. A few examples include: Staropolska Restaurant was profiled on the Travel Channel and received rave reviews in the NY Times. The White Eagle News was profiled in the Hartford Business Journal. The Law office of Podorowsky Thompson & Baron's Attorney Adrian Baron was voted a Thomson Reuter's Super Lawyers' Rising Star 5 years in a row. The honor is only given to 2.5% of attorneys in the state. Realtors Jacek Mikolyczyk and Jola Turcanzik consistently rate as the top sellers for their regions. The Belvedere Restaurant has been visited by members of Congress, the Governor, the Polish Ambassador and even world famous athletes.

5. The PBA supports Polish Cultural Programs and Other Organizations

Whether it's through volunteer efforts, charitable contributions or promotion, the PBA and its members have lent a hand to various community organizations throughout the years including the Polish dance groups, churches, the Polish National Home, Chopin competitions, art projects, language schools, and other organizations throughout New England. It's not only Polish groups that have received the PBA's help. They have included Little League teams, community events, and various health organizations.

6. The PBA is an advocate of Polish causes

Through letters to the editor, tv and radio interviews or reaching out to politicians, the PBA has fought to remove the tourist visa restriction for Polish citizens wanting to visit the United States. They have hosted events with members of Congress, attended roundtable meetings with officials, and even taken part in an ethnic outreach program at the White House. When the Hartford Advocate called Polish residents of New Britain "Eastern European gangsters in fake looking leather jackets" the paper printed two scathing rebukes from PBA president Attorney Adrian Baron. When a member of the NYC Parks Department called Greenpoint Poles "vermin" in a magazine article, the PBA called them out and the city was forced to issue an apology. The PBA also chatised the Director of the FBI for misstatements about the Polish role in WWII and to various news agencies for referring to Nazi Concentration camps as "Polish" Death Camps.

7. The PBA promotes Little Poland

(Photo: PBA President Attorney Adrian Baron tours Little Poland with the Polish Ambassador, members of Congress and members of the Polish Sejm)

Called a City's Polish Heart by the Boston Globe, Little Poland has quickly become the center of New England's Polish American Community. Over the years, the PBA has taken a big role in insuring that the neighborhood continues to grow. The group has provided tours to the Governor, members of the Polish Sejm, the Polish Ambassador, Members of the United States House and Senate, UCONN, culture groups and others. PBA member Staropolska even hosted a dinner for a Japanese delegation visiting Little Poland. The good will generated by tours and event have placed a positive spot light on the Polish community and the city of New Britain. The group attends streetscape and other meetings related to Broad Street and has been an advocate in its growth and promotion. Events in Little Poland are posted to the groups social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter daily.

8. The PBA Promotes Business

There are plenty of benefits from being a member of the PBA. Polonia Business Members get discounted ad rates from local media, law firms, insurance agencies and other areas. PBA members also enjoy discounted festival fees and free social media marketing. PBA members will often support fellow members when applying for permits at city hearings in various communities.

Although known for our work in Little Poland, the PBA supports our members throughout the state. When Polish businesses suffered a loss of business due to construction delays, the PBA reached out to the city on their behalf and hosted a successful "Cash Mob" encouraging shopping during the difficult time.

9. The PBA Created Stanley the Little Poland Dragon

Stanley the Little Poland Dragon is based on the Polish folk legend of the Wawel Dragon. He wears a jester's hat in tribute to a famous Jan Matejko painting of a Court Jester. His vest is one that a traditional Krakowiak dancer would wear. Stanley is the official mascot of Little Poland and appears at PBA and other events throughout New England. Stanley is a part of the PBA's Community Outreach program. When the Rock Cats left New Britain, he filled in at various community events throughout the city. He is often joined by Pierogi the Penguin and a host of other characters.

10. The PBA is a Great Promoter of being a Polish American

The PBA is a great promoter of everything Polish. They have hosted Polish nights with the Hartford Wolf Pack, minor league baseball games, and boxing matches. In addition to their own Little Poland Festival, the PBA has supported the Dozynki festivals in Bristol and New Britain, the St. Paddy's Day Parade in Hartford, the World Kielbasa Festival in Chicopee, Halloween events in Salem & New Britain, Mass, Kid Fests in Maine, Car Shows in Middletown & New Britain, events at Hartford's Polish National Home, Oktoberfests and the Annual Memorial Day Parade in New Britain. Many PBA events have helped Polish Americans reconnect with their heritage.