Month: November 2008 - Page 2

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Not Everyone Was Shopping

Not everyone was shopping on this day after Thanksgiving. Some hit the links at Westport’s Longshore Club Park. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Mixed Day of Shopping on Main Street

Everyone agreed the number of shoppers on Westport’s Main Street was down from a year ago on today’s post-Thanksgiving Day “Black Friday.” But there was disagreement by how much. Some retailers said business was better than they expected while others said it was down as sharply as they had feared. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Friday, November 28th, 2008

“Black Friday” Shopping on Westport’s Main Street

A couple of shoppers make their way along Westport’s Main Street today. Stores promoted sales with steep discounts or two-for-one offers. Business was clearly down from a year ago but some merchants said it was not as bad as expected. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

A Cautionary Note on Main Street

A lone saxophone player took up a position on Westport’s Main Street today as “Black Friday” shoppers headed for stores to do some post-Thanksgiving shopping. Storekeepers reported business was down compared to a year ago but some said not as much as they had expected. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Blumenthal Warns on Gift Cards

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today warned consumers to be especially wary of purchasing gift cards this holiday season because of the precarious financial condition of many large retailers and other businesses in bankruptcy and called for legislation to secure gift card value.

“In light of staggering consumer losses—more than $100 million this year alone—I will propose and advocate legislation requiring retailers to establish a special, separate account for money from purchases of gift cards, so the money can be held in escrow,” Blumenthal said.

“An alternative would be a state fund similar to the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund to provide for refunds in case of retail failures with money from fees paid by retailers.

“In the meantime, consumers can avoid January surprises by giving cash instead of cards, guaranteeing the full value of the gifts. Cold hard cash may be crass, but it’s forever.”

Sampling the Chowder

Visitors to Chowdafest ‘08 at Westport’s Unitarian Church today sampled some soup from Conte’s Restaurant in Westport, one of a dozen vendors participating in the fundraiser for the Connecticut Food Bank. The event runs until 4 p.m. today and repeats on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Chowing Down at Chowdafest ‘08

It was a chowder fan’s delight at Westport’s Unitarian Church today as Chowdafest ‘08 kicked off a two-day run to raise funds for the Connecticut Food Bank. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 13 Caccamo Trail

An application for a permit is in process to demolish the house at 13 Caccamo Trail in the Gorham Avenue area. Built in 1964, the raised ranch has 1,604 square feet, is situated on a 0.61-acre lot and changed ownership this month at $825,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Saugatuck Lights

Festive holiday lights, courtesy of Al’s Angels, greet visitors crossing the William F. Cribari Bridge in Westport’s Saugatuck area. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving recess: Westport Town Hall, Public Schools, and Westport/Weston Health District are closed
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Historical Society – “Unique Perspectives: Photography by Six Westport Artists”
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Historical Society – “WestportNow Photographers: The Best From the Best”
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – “Not all Rubber Ducks Look Alike”
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – “Optimism”
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Westport Public Library – Family Vacation Movies (Ages 3+ with adult)
11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Unitarian Church – Chowdafest ‘08
8 p.m. – Westport Town Hall – Westport Community Theatre: “The Importance of Being Earnest”