Workers today erected a sign at Westport’s 125 Main St. for Fringe 125, a new hair salon on the third floor of the newly renovated building which also houses Gap Stores and Brooks Brothers for Women. Its website describes the new arrival as “a new and fresh approach to hair in Connecticut. We believe that there is much more to a salon than simply doing hair, we are creating a culture – where creative, classic and cutting edge styling is achieved at the hands of skilled experts. Fringe 125 is an education-based, client-oriented salon for males and females of all ages.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

Celebrity designer Jonathan Adler will be on hand at his newly opened Westport store, 166 Main St., on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to sign copies of his newest book, “Jonathan Adler 100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life.” Adler, which has 20 stores throughout the country and one in London, has one other Connecticut store on Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich. Adler features a range of home decor, furniture, rugs, tabletop collections, bedding, gifts, candles and other items. It occupies the space that was the former location of Achorn’s Pharmacy, which moved to Playhouse Square. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Pink Sumo, Sushi and Sake Cafe has opened at Westport’s 4 Church Lane. The restaurant space below Patagonia was originally occupied by Zest and then by Manola. It is the third restaurant in Fairfield County owned by Skye Kwok, 32, who opened Feima in Bridgeport in 2000 and then Sweet Basil in Fairfield in 2007. Head sushi chef is Eric Cheng who previously worked at the well known New York City sushi restaurant Nobu. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Bel Mondo, an interior design and accessories business, has opened at 222 Post Road West, according to Australian-born co-owner Heidi Lyme. She said she grew up in Sydney, Australia where her mother, Pamela, owned a successful high end fashion and interiors shop, Mondo Vogue, for 45 years until her death a year ago The store is co-owned by Easton resident and Belgium native Georg Peters. “Opening this business is a dream come true,” Lyme said. “My mother’s former store, Mondo Vogue, means world of fashion and Bel Mondo means beautiful world. This venture is in memory of her.” She added, “We have lovely holiday gifts including pillows, furniture and home accessories.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

Though the date is more than seven years away, Lou Gagliano, chairman of the Downtown 2020 Committee, says “the time is now” for Westport to plan its future.

Downtown 2020 Chair Lou Gagliano tonight with committee member Craig Rebecca Schiavone. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) James Lomuscio for WestportNow.com

“We have a unique opportunity here,” Gagliano told about 20 persons assembled in the Town Hall auditorium tonight at the committee’s first evening public meeting. “The time is now, so we’re here tonight to hear from you, the members of the community, to tell us what your concerns are because it’s an important path we’re walking together.”

Formed by First Selectman Gordon Joseloff in March to plan the revitalization of the downtown while integrating planned projects such as Bedford Square, National Hall’s redevelopment, the library’s planned expansion and a cinema, the seven-member committee is now in the process of raising $150,000 to hire a consultant to draw up a master plan.

To reach that amount, Gagliano says the committee plans to raise $75,000 by Jan. 1 and seek the rest from the town. He said Downtown 2020 already has $17,000 in its coffers, including today’s $10,000 gift from the Westport Chamber of Commerce.