Java Coffee and Café will open around Labor Day at 44 Church Lane. Developer David Waldman said he recently formed a partnership with fellow Westporter Brad Burke and Idaho-based Todd Rippo, founder/owner of Java Coffee and Cafe to open Java’s first East Coast location. Waldman said the Westport menu will have a slight variation from the three Java locations in Idaho which feature breakfast, lunch, bakery and beverages. Waldman said salads would be added to the Westport menu and other items that appeal to local clientele. He said the 1,850-square foot location, formerly occupied by Wild Pear, is being renovated to convert the entrances to one level. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Bodytalk, a women’s clothing and accessories store at 281 Post Road East in the Playhouse Square shopping center, is closing after 20 years in Westport, according to owner and Avon resident Noel Davidson, 81. He said his wife is the owner of another Bodytalk shop on Avon’s Main Street. Davidson did not offer a final date for the store’s closing and said, “We’re closing for a whole bunch of reasons.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

With warm weather and the recent opening of Bartaco (foreground) at 20 Wilton Road and the earlier debut of Cafe Moja (background) next door at 12 Wilton Road—plus Arezzo Restaurant on the other side of Post Road West—Westporters have ample choices for drinking and dining outdoors on the west bank of the Saugatuck River. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlowfor WestportNow.com

The newest addition to Westport’s restaurant scene, Cru, has opened at 125 Main St., home of Gap stores, with its main entrance at Parker-Harding Plaza. It features American, Mediterranean and Pacific cuisine in a Manhattan lounge atmosphere. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Peachwave Frozen Yogurt, 170 Post Road West ,will open by the middle of next week, according to store manager Larry Rosen, (above) a resident of Monroe. He said there will be seating for 24 indoors at the 2,400-square foot facility and more seating on the patio. Rosen said the Westport store, the 75th Peachwave to operate in the country, will have 10 employees. “Peachwave’s niche is its self-service model,” he said. “The customer can dispense the desired amount of yogurt into a cup, add toppings to it and bring it to the counter for weighing and payment.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The newest addition to Westport’s restaurant scene, Cru, opens Tuesday, June 11, according to co-owner Steve Prokop (above). “We’re tired but very excited,” he said. Prokop said the restaurant at 125 Main St., home of Gap stores, with its main entrance at Parker-Harding Plaza, will feature American, Mediterranean and Pacific cuisine. Only dinner will be served until next month when Cru opens an outdoor patio and then lunch will be served daily, he said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Bartaco Restaurant at 20 Wilton Road “will be in full swing two weeks from next Monday,” according to Scott Laughton, chief operating officer of Bartaco’s parent company, Barteca Group. Founders and owners are Wilton resident Andy Pforzheimer and Weston resident Sasa Mahr-Batuz, partners for 17 years. They opened seven Barcelona Wine and Bar Restaurants between 1995 and 2012 and three Bartaco Restaurants from 2011 to 2012. Laughton describes Bartaco as “a place where you can have a taco and tequila in a relaxed beach atmosphere.” He said the 3,200-square foot facility seats around 110 in the bar area and seating for about 40 on the patio which overlooks the Saugatuck River. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Invitations, 793 Post Road East near Westport Wash & Wax,featuring invitations, party and packaging supplies, and online computer shopping and custom gifts, is closing its Post Road East store on June 7 and moving, according to its website and store sign announcements. There was no word on the new location and the owner, Valerie Smith, could not be reached. On opening in 2011, Smith said Westport was the 10-year-old online business’s first retail location. (See WestportNow Nov. 23, 2011) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com