How Squash's Took Root in Ridgefield

After working as an IBM executive for years, now-Squash's owner Greg Peterson took an early retirement from the corporate world to spend more time with his family and build a home (literally) in Ridgefield.

“I left IBM in 1983 and my wife and I built, by ourselves, without sub-contractors, our current home in Ridgefield, raised our children and managed our investments,” said Peterson.

Ten years later in 1993 Peterson learned that the Ridgefield fixture, — a locally owned shop since 1953—was closing its doors, Peterson decided to re-enter the business world as an entrepreneur. 

“I purchased Squash's in an attempt to maintain a Ridgefield tradition,” Peterson explained.

He took root in town: Peterson has lived in Ridgefield for over 50 years and his three children all graduated from . His wife, Judi, has served as deacon to the ; Greg is the former President of the Ridgefield Rotary Club as well as a former Moderator and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Ridgefield Congregational Church.

Today, Squash's Ridgefield Office Supply offers a complete line of over 40,000 office products, from office furniture and supplies to janitorial equipment and break room goods.

“We are The Little Engine that Can,” Peterson said. “We stock, in our retail store, over 10,000 products and we can deliver almost any quantity of almost every office product the next business day. We run our business in a manner patterned after LL Bean.”

He acknowledged that the cost of keeping a business in Ridgefield is high, but he said he strives to keep Squash’s pricing at or below the prices charged by the national drug and super stores.

 “In general, you will save money buying your office products and stationery products at Squash's rather than the chain stores in Ridgefield,” Peterson said.  “In addition, you will enjoy superior service, knowledgeable staff and you will be supporting a Ridgefield business, owned and staffed by local people.”

And with back-to-school shopping just around the corner, this local gem probably has just what your student needs.  

“This year, we have worked with and to offer Squash's pre-packs.  Pre-packs offer a significant savings over purchasing the supply items separately and bring the convenience of delivery direct to the school,” Peterson said.

School pre-packs can be purchased in-store or at the Squash’s website.

Another reason to stop into Squash’s Office Supply for back-to school shopping is the famous “Locker Ladder” which Paterson said is particularly popular among Ridgefield’s middle school students.  

“Try us. Make a point of shopping downtown instead of heading to Danbury or Norwalk. A great part of the attractiveness of Ridgefield is our downtown business district and the mom and pop stores that make it such a pretty and friendly place to live,” he said.