Yale University Properties Welcomes Two New Merchants

Yale University Properties is pleased to announce two new additions to its retail portfolio, on Broadway and Audubon Street. Sound Runner, a specialty running store with footwear, apparel and accessories, is scheduled to open this fall at 264 York Street in the revitalized Broadway Retail District. Sogno, Boutique of Dreams will open in October in the Audubon Arts District, offering clothing, accessories, gifts and home furnishings for the entire family. Both Sound Runner and Sogno are independently owned, family-operated stores that promise to serve the New Haven community with high-quality merchandise and personalized service.

Bob and Julie Francis are the husband and wife team that own and operate Sound Runner in New Haven, building on the success of their two other running and sports apparel stores in downtown Branford. “We are proud to become a part of the renaissance in New Haven and the family of merchants in the thriving Broadway district. We are excited about bringing the Sound Runner brand of commitment of service to the community, and we look forward to serving our customers seven days per week and in the evening.”

Bob and Julie are avid runners, and they apply their firsthand knowledge and experience to helping customers. “We offer our customers personalized service, such as the customized fitting of running shoes, as well as encouragement in achieving personal fitness goals, at any level.” They lead a weekly run, support track teams and host educational events in their stores. Bob and Julie also hire experienced runners to help staff their stores, so that customers are assured of receiving knowledgeable help in choosing running shoes and apparel.

The owner of Sogno is Krista Camputaro Flynn, a New Haven native. Flynn possesses a commitment to quality she attributes to growing up in an Italian-American family that used only the purest of ingredients in their homemade foods and wines. “Sogno’s goal is to supply an assortment of products from vendors that exemplify these high standards and meet customer needs.” As the name suggests, opening Sogno will be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

Krista Flynn is delighted to be part of the Yale and New Haven community and looks forward to getting involved. “Audubon is the perfect home for Sogno,” Flynn says, “and it has been wonderful to partner with Yale in its development of the area. I look forward to supporting the neighborhood stores through cross promotions, and to promoting the public relations awareness for the Arts District.” Bitsie Clark, former Executive Director of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven and long-time resident of Audubon Street said of Sogno, “It will be a tremendous addition to the neighborhood, and everybody on the street is thrilled about it.” Sogno joins several other successful University Properties tenants in the district, such as The Toystore on Audubon, Sandra’s Place, a family-run soul food restaurant, and soon-to-open Gourmet Heaven II.

David Newton, Associate Vice President and Director of University Properties noted, “Krista Flynn and Bob and Julie Francis are the ideal independent entrepreneurs we want to open businesses in New Haven. They share Yale’s retail vision and commitment to New Haven, and we are delighted to welcome them to the retail community.”

Because of its Community Investment Program, Yale University is the single largest property tax payer in the city of New Haven. University Properties leases spaces to 71 merchants, of which 66 are local and independent.