Francois du Pont Jewelers opened at 6 Sconset Square today after almost 32 years on Main Street. Owner Noel du Pont said of his new 800-square foot location, “I’m ecstatic. It’s a new home and it’s mine.” The jewelry store and neighboring Westport Pizzeria moved from Main Street to make way for Athleta, a division of GAP Inc., which is also taking the space formerly occupied by Kate Spade located on the other side of the former Francois du Pont Jewelers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Sperry Top-Sider, a shoes and casual apparel store, opened at 56 Main St. in space formerly occupied by BCBGMAXAZRIA that closed abruptly last month (see WestportNow, Feb. 8, 2014).  According to Sperry store manager, David Meyer (above), the Westport outlet is the only one in the state that is standalone. Founded in 1935 in eastern Connecticut, Sperry now has 50 standalone U.S. stores, according to Meyer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Snip Doggy Dog, an upscale grooming salon for dogs, will open within two weeks at 9 Sconset Square, near Christ &  Holy Trinity Church, according to Frank Ciambrielli, managing director. He said the Westport location will be its third with the others in Old Greenwich and Fairfield. He said the 1,000-square foot salon offers four groomers and a dog boutique. (See WestportNow Sept. 19, 2013) “The personalization of the salon features glass walls so our clients can view the grooming process,” he said. The space was previously occupied by Cursive, a New York-based retailer of fine paper, jewelry and home and personal accessories. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

UPDATE Members of the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) today visited 1385 Post Road East, which includes Anthropologie, Balducci’s, and the former home of Fovama Rugs. Representatives of the owners, Darien-based Forstone Capital, who were also on the visit, have applied for modifications to the property, where they plan to install a hair salon in the former Fovama Rugs location. The application will require a review of a 1995 settlement between the P&Z and Arnie Kaye, the property owner at the time, according to P&Z Director Larry Bradley (r). He said the review of the settlement is not directly related to plans for the hair salon. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

KoKo FitClub, 619 Post Road East, will close March 31 after a year and a half at that location, according to franchisee Peter Buckley. (See WestportNow, Sept. 20, 2012)  Buckley, a former banker, said, “We were not able to attract enough members and were operating in the red every month.” Expressing thoughts on his brief experience in Westport, he said, “We needed deeper roots in the community. We couldn’t crack the code of being compared to gyms rather than who we are—a personal training studio.”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Lou & Grey, a specialty line of women’s apparel, opens on Friday at 15 Main St., next door to Loft, 17 Main St., according to spokesperson Kate McShane of its parent company, LOFT, Ann Inc. Shane said the Westport location for Lou & Grey is “our first concept store in the U.S. and is much more than just a store: it’s a library, a workshop and a test kitchen.”  She said the Lou & Grey lounge collection is “offered in LOFT’s 540 stores and we are testing free-standing stores in the future.”  She added, “These clothes are for the woman on the go who never wants to have to choose between style and comfort.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com