
Frank Romano and Maria Conlon (contributed photo)
SHELTON – Steady Habits, a new tasting lounge downtown owned by Maria Conlon, has added a ‘Wall of Fame’ to its decor.
Conlon, a Derby native and a UConn basketball player from 2000 to 2004, said the idea is to recognize people from the Valley and beyond who have made a difference in their communities.
“I think it is important to recognize people who have worked really hard to accomplish things and to honor their history,” Conlon said. “As a community I think we need to do more to help shine a light onto people who have paved the way for so many.”
Conlon, and several business partners, opened Steady Habits in June at 320 Howe Ave. Libations from various Connecticut breweries, wineries and distilleries, along with small bites with ingredients sourced directly from local farms, are featured on the menu.
The first person to make the Wall of Fame is Derby native Frank Romano, a 1970 graduate of Derby High School and a standout on the gridiron for the Red Raiders. The team won several state championships and never lost a game when Romano played both guard and linebacker. Romano also owned the former Frankie’s Restaurant on Pershing Drive in Derby for a decade and was co-owner with his brother Joe at the former Romano’s Restaurant on Roosevelt Drive.
“Frank has always been an amazing athlete in the Valley,” Conlon said. “He took his talents and was successful at a D1 level in college, but his impact in the community is what I was more drawn to. Frank donated to and sponsored countless youth sports teams. I thought he was a perfect example of what the type of person on our Wall of Fame should be.”
Conlon said she and her crew knew when they opened the lounge they wanted to start a Wall of Fame.
“When I brought Frank’s name up it was a unanimous yes,” Conlon added.
Conlon plans to add a new name to the Wall of Fame on a semi-annual or annual basis, just so she can “highlight the good that we have in this state.”
Each Wall of Famer will have their photo and/or a plaque lining a wall at Steady Habits.
Romano, 70, who lives in Seymour, said he was surprised to learn he was the first member to represent the Wall of Fame. A celebration that drew about 150 people to Steady Habits was held Sunday (Aug. 21) to honor Romano.
When his two daughters, grandsons and other family members accompanied him to Conlon’s new business, which opened in late June, Romano said he was pretty excited.
“It was nice, of course, and to have Maria Conlon bestow the honor made it even more special.” Romano said.
After graduation from DHS, where he played under coach Lou DeFilippo, Romano won a full scholarship to the University of Maryland. Romano played guard and was co-captain for the Maryland Terrapins, and in 1973 – 74 played in two national bowl games – the Peach Bowl and the Liberty Bowl.
Conlon’s father, Tim, a longtime friend of Romano’s, said he is more than worthy of being the first Wall of Fame recipient.
“In high school, everyone knew how good Frank was, but seldom do guards get any recognition,” said Tim Conlon. “So his name in the recruiting circles was not really out there. As fate would have it, when a video of another Derby player was sent to Maryland, the coach, Jerry Claiborne, spotted Frank in the video and wanted him. Coach Claiborne saw the intangibles in a player like Frank the average fan does not see.”
Tim Conlon recalled a similar story about his daughter.
“In high school, many nay-sayers did not give her a shot at playing at UCONN because of her height and lack of speed,” he said. “But Coach Auriemma saw the intangibles, too, just like Coach Claiborne saw with Frank.”

Frank Romano, surrounded by family at Steady Habits last Sunday.