Category: Business - Page 131

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Save the Children Closes on $11.9M Sale of Westport HQ

UPDATE Three months after announcing a contract had been signed, Westport-based Save the Children said Tuesday it has closed on the sale of its building at 54 Wilton Road to developer Westport David Waldman and partners.

Save the Children said 290 employees will relocate to a nearby facility. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

No price was cited in the announcement, but a filing Wednesday morning in the Town Clerk’s office showed the price was $11,925,000 for the 58,771-square foot office building on 2.59 acres on the Saugatuck River.

The filing also showed that Waldman’s partners are Greenfield Partners, which owns the adjacent National Hall property. The town reaped $29,812.50 in conveyance taxes.

“We plan to relocate our headquarters next spring to a nearby property that will be suitable for our growing operations,” said Save the Children spokesman Jeremy Soulliere, who identified the buyer by its official name, STC Green LLC.

Saturday, November 23rd, 2013

Westport Unemployment Rate in October 5.7 Percent

Westport’s unemployment rate in October was 5.7 percent, up from 5.5 percent in September, the Connecticut Department of Labor said.

The department said the number of Westport unemployed in October was 703, up from 682 in September.

The October labor force in Westport numbered 12,397, up from 12,392 in September.

There were 11,694 employed in October, down from 11,710 in September. A year ago in October, Westport’s unemployment rate was 6 percent.

Thursday, November 21st, 2013

Despite Losses, CT Jobless Rate at 4-Year Low

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

The state’s unemployment rate cracked the 8 percent barrier for the first time in more than four years in September and October, falling to 7.9 percent despite more than 4,000 jobs lost, the Department of Labor reported today.

That’s down from an 8.1 percent jobless rate in August. Connecticut still lags the nation, which has a 7.3 percent unemployment rate.

Connecticut, like other states, did not report labor statistics for September one month ago. Those reports were blocked by the unavailability of key job data during the federal government shutdown.

“The September and October reports are sending mixed signals about Connecticut’s labor markets,” Andy Condon, director of the state labor department’s Office of Research, said. “The weeks leading up to the federal government shutdown, evidently, led to increased economic uncertainty and hiring indecision across the state. On a positive note, the state’s unemployment rate has declined for two months in a row.”

Click here for more of story

Tuesday, November 19th, 2013

Nevas Opens Nevas Law Group in Westport

Westport attorney Stephen E. (Steve) Nevas has announced the opening of the Nevas Law Group, 237 Post Road West.

Steve Nevas: active in media law. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

He is the son of the late Bernard Nevas who, with the late Leo Nevas, founded Nevas & Nevas in Westport, where he practiced for many years. It lately has been known as Nevas, Capasse & Gerard LLC.

Nevas is co-chair of the Media and Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association and concentrates on libel, slander, personal privacy and access to public information.

He represents business, publishers, producers, artists, writers and musicians to register and defend their copyrights and trademarks. His practice includes civil litigation and appeals as well as land use, zoning and real estate, the food industry and estate administration.

Monday, November 18th, 2013

CT Collects More Than $175M From Delinquent Taxpayers

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

State government collected more than $175 million from delinquent taxpayers over the past two months through its latest amnesty program, Revenue Services Commissioner Kevin B. Sullivan announced today.

The two-month program, which officials hailed as the most successful amnesty recollection effort in recent history, waived $32.2 million in interest and penalties.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the legislature used the amnesty to help balance the current budget, assuming the program would collect $35 million. Though a final tally won’t be available for a few more weeks, Sullivan said the total is expected to fall between $175 million and $185 million.

“I think it tells us we underestimated the number of persons and businesses who got in trouble during the last recession,” Sullivan told Capitol reporters during an afternoon news conference.

Click here for more of story

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

Forecast: CT’s Economic Recovery to Trail Region, Nation

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

Connecticut’s economic recovery will be steady yet continue to lag behind that of the Northeast and the nation over the next four years, according to a new forecast released today in cooperation with the Federal Reserve Bank.

The report prepared by the New England Economic Partnership also warned that federal budget cuts and the threat of a shutdown, coupled with higher federal payroll and income taxes, should keep 2013 job growth in the Nutmeg State at last year’s level.

Economists expect slow job growth here in financial activities, retail, construction, health care and in the government sector. Manufacturing and information technology should show few gains, if any, while analysts also warned that Connecticut’s casinos should brace for growing competition from surrounding states.

“You’re going to see a decent three or four years for the state of Connecticut,” said retired Fairfield University professor Edward Deak, chief economist for the partnership’s Connecticut forecast.

Click here for more of story

Friday, November 8th, 2013

Comings & Goings: Purple Feet Closing at Playhouse Sqr.

By Dave Matlow

Purple Feet of Westport Wine and Spirits, 275 Post Road East in Playhouse Square, will close by Nov. 30 after almost two years at the location, according to owner Nick Rossi.

Purple Feet owner Nick Rossi said poor visibility from Post Road East and parking issues at Playhouse Square hastened the closing. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

He said that a new owner will reopen the store in another location in Westport and retain the name.

Rossi, a resident of South Salem, N.Y, said he plans to relocate to Austin, Texas where he will seek a location to open a wine shop.

“Austin is very conducive to small businesses, fewer restrictions on liquor licenses and the rent is about one-third of what it is here,” he said.

Comings & Goings: Diptyque to Main Street

A Paris-based luxury perfumerie, Diptyque (pronounced dip-teek), has opened its first store in Connecticut at Westport’s 47 Main St. The company says the outlet “pays homage to the coastal heritage of New England while combining the spirit of the original 34 Boulevard St. Germain boutique in Paris.” Eduardo Valadez (l), East Coast sales manager, said Westport is the company’s seventh store in the United States. “We offer luxury perfumes, candles with personal fragrances and a range of body care products,” he said. Westport was chosen “because the Westport area understands luxury—they are worldly customers who understand the brand and appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of our product line,” he said. With him is store manager Dee Livingston. The space was formerly occupied by l’Occitane, which moved to expanded facilities next door at 45 Main St. replacing Claire’s fashion accessories. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Saturday, November 2nd, 2013

Comings & Goings: Saugatuck Sweets Debuts in 2014

By Dave Matlow

An old-fashioned ice cream parlor will make its return to Westport after more than 50 years thanks to two Westporters who are retail novices but nostalgic for a sweet shop.

Saugatuck Sweets will debut in early 2014 in space formerly occupied by Saugatuck Craft Butchery. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Saugatuck Sweets will debut early next year in the Saugatuck Center space previously occupied by Saugatuck Craft Butchery, which has moved across the street, said Al DiGuido, software entrepreneur and founder of the Al’s Angels charity, one of the principals.

He said his family has partnered with Pete Romano, better known for his engineering expertise, and his family to make their dream a reality.

“Our goal with Saugatuck Sweets is to bring back a time when kids and adults enjoyed visiting the local sweet shop for a cone, shake, malted, egg cream…A time when families made a special trip to have a special dessert after dinner at one of the area restaurants to sit by the river,” DiGuido said.

Thursday, October 31st, 2013

WestportNow Teardown of the Day: Geiger’s Garden Center

An application for a permit to demolish two buildings at the Geiger Garden Center, 1135 Post Road East, is in process. Built in 1900, the two-story residential-type commercial structure has 2,221 square feet and is situated on a 2.07-acre property. Because the house was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Westport Historic District Commission. Geiger’s submitted a preliminary plan in January to turn the property into a commercial and residential complex. (See WestportNow Jan. 17, 2013) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com