Clothier Jos. A. Bank has relocated from the Compo Acres shopping center at 372 Post Road East, to Westport’s Colonial Green, 260 Post Road East, in the space previously occupied by George Subkoff Antiques, which relocated to 5 Post Road West. According to assistant store manager John Donaher, Jos. A. Bank opened at the Compo Acres location in the late 1990s. He said the new and former locations have approximately the same square footage.  “Our lease ended and it was as efficient to move as it would have been to make the necessary renovations at the Compo Acres location so it was decided to relocate.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

Pizzeria Bravo and Wine Bar opens next month at 1460 Post Road East, according to co-owner Michael Sias of Stratford. The space is the former location of Munson’s Chocolates which closed in April 2012 after 20 years in Westport.  According to Sias, who also owns Julian’s Brick Oven Pizza, 539 Riverside Ave., the new restaurant offers full service and has its beer and liquor license. He said the hours are not yet determined but it will be open every day. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Dave Matlow

After almost 73 years, Westport’s Daybreak Nurseries has closed and a builder who purchased the 2.2-acre property in a foreclosure sale says he plans to build four homes on the site.

Daybreak Nurseries, opened in 1941, will become the site of four homes. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Peter Greenberg, owner of Norwalk-based Able Construction, said he purchased the property at 500 Main St. for $1,350,000 as the highest bidder in a foreclosure settlement in February. 

He said the 2.2-acre property is comprised of four lots on which he plans to build four single-family homes limited to .5-acre each.

He said the zoning is grandfathered from the early 1940s for residential use with limitations. Greenberg said he is exploring other variations that may include a segment for commercial use.

Gaetano’s Arthur Avenue Style Deli will open at 1713 Post Road East in the space previously occupied by Westport Deli, which closed recently after 23 years at that location when the owners retired. According to Diana Ukehaxhaj, wife of co-owner Milanno Ukehaxhaj, her husband and his business partner Gaetano Catalano each worked for many years on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. She said they opened the first Gaetano’s Deli in Stratford in 1997 and then the Monroe shop in July, 2009. She said the Westport location, the third in their expanding business, “will hopefully open in about three months depending on the town’s approval process.”  She added, “For the past five years we’ve been voted No. 1 sandwich shop by Connecticut Magazine.”  For more information visit www.gaetanosdeli.com. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Wine and Spirits opened today at 877 Post Road East at the intersection of the Sherwood Island Connector. Owner Paul Sherman, a 2000 Staples High School graduate, said the softly played music coming from the new sound system in the 3,000-square foot store supports his position as “Connecticut’s first music-themed wine and spirits shop.” “Music goes hand-in-hand with wine and spirits,” he said. “We’ve incorporated both.” The site is the former location of Game Stop (see WestportNow, Feb.  27, 2014)  Store hours are 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Workers scurry around today with finishing touches as Saugatuck Sweets, co-owned by Westporters Al DiGuido and Pete Romano, opened for business today at 575 Riverside Ave. in the Saugatuck Center space previously occupied by Saugatuck Craft Butchery. DiGuido said the shop features 22 flavors of hard ice cream, chocolates, baked goods (pies and cookies), and 75 different candies he describes as “both old school such as Mary Jane’s and Tootsie Rolls and new school candies like gummy bears and swedish fish.” A grand opening is set for Saturday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Co-owner Al DiGuido of Westport tries out an ice cream dispensing machine today as Saugatuck Sweets, co-owned fellow Westporter Pete Romano, opened at 575 Riverside Ave.. in the Saugatuck Center space previously occupied by Saugatuck Craft Butchery. DiGuido, head of Westport-based charity Al’s Angels, said the menu, designed by Westporter Miggs Burroughs, has integrated Westport and Saugatuck into the names of many of the offerings like the “Saugatuck Split,” “Minute Man,” and “Wreckers” sundaes. The menu offers “no charge for expectant mothers—if you are showing,” “100+ year old customers—free dessert and coffee,” and for “members of PAL sports teams – 10 percent off all ice cream and yogurt items—must show PAL membership card.” Hours are noon to 10 p.m. daily. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com