Fairfield County Bank President Daniel Berta told the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club today that “housing is bringing us out of the recession and the Westport housing market is performing well—better than other nearby communities such as Weston and Ridgefield.” Berta pointed out that because consumers represent 70 percent of the gross national product, house purchases are a significant measurement of emergence from a recession. In reference to the critical role of community banks, Berta said these institutions represent 50 percent of loans to businesses under $5 million, which he categorizes as small businesses. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Dave Matlow

After 80 years in one family, Westport’s Citgo gas station, 786 Post Road East, will go up for sale next week.

Kurt Osterberg has worked at the gas station his grandfather founded since 1986. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Kurt Osterberg, grandson of Joe DeMattia, the founder of the business, and an employee since 1986, confirmed the divestiture plan and merely cited the economy. The current owner of the business is Osterberg’s mother, Gloria, 75, who resides in Niantic with her husband Ken, 80.

Osterberg said when his grandfather started the business at its current location in 1931 or 1932, they pumped Standard Oil gas.

Then in the late 1930s, the station switched to the Shell brand which continued for about 50 years, then converted to the Texaco brand for about 10 years and then Citgo from the mid-1990s, he said.

Choice Pet Supply, a 16-store chain, has opened at 374 Post Road East in the Compo Acres Shopping Center. Store Manager Billy Dellipoali, an 18-year employee, said the specialty of the Danbury-headquartered business is “nutritional high quality dog and cat food.” He said the Westport location of the 30-year-old company founded by Arizona resident Neil Devivo is its ninth store in Connecticut. The nearest one is at 352 Westport Ave., Norwalk, “one of the oldest stores, opened about 20 years ago,” Dellipoali said. The Westport store employs a staff of five and is open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m-7 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Groove, a children’s apparel and gift store, will open around Oct.15 at 420 Post Road West, across from Whole Foods, according to Westport co-owners Corri Neckritz (l) and Erin Berk.  Berk describes the store as “a hip destination with a boutique-y feel.”  Neckritz said in addition to kids apparel, “we’ll have overnight bags, fun jewelry, purses, toys and other things.” The 1,284-square foot space was formerly occupied by Coppola Marble and Granite. Groove can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and at (203)557-8111. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Soleil Toile, the women’s lingerie, bathing suit and accessories shop at 24 Post Road East, at the corner of Taylor Place, will move to 14 Post Road East by the end of November. Employee Dorita Castro said Soleil Toile was located on Main Street for about 10 years when it sold only lingerie but moved to its current location 12 years ago and expanded its offerings to include bathing suits and accessories. The new location, formerly occupied by Westport Workout Wear, will be smaller “but we’ll carry the same inventory,” she said. “We just want to use our space more wisely.”  She said the store will remain open during its relocation. Soleil Toile also owns a shop under the same name on Elm Street in New Canaan. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Workers apply finishing touches to the exterior of 11 Wilton Road in preparation for this weekend’s relocation of the Roger Ferris Architectural firm from 285 Riverside Ave. According to principal Roger Ferris, the new offices will house the firm’s expanding art collection. Ferris, with other offices in New York’s Chelsea district and in Bridgehampton, N.Y., employs 35 in Westport. A Westport resident for 40 years, Ferris said he is the original designer of the building at 11 Wilton Road “around 15 years ago and we thought it was a good idea to have our offices in a building we designed.” Ferris has been involved in many high profile projects in Westport including significant involvement in the nearby Save the Children and National Hall structures.  “We’ve done a lot in this quadrant of downtown and now we’ll be one of its neighbors,” Ferris said. “Westport is seminal to our creativity—it always had that artsy nature.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Saugatuck area is getting a new coffee shop. Coffee + Pi has announced it will open at 599 Riverside Ave., next to Tutti Ristorante. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A Canada-based tea shop will open at 135 Main St. between Brooks Brothers Women’s store and Jack Wills university outfitters. The 819-square foot facility will also provide indoor seating for its tea bar. According to its website, Davids Tea opening in Westport will be the company’s third U.S. store with others located on Polk Street, San Francisco and Bleeker Street, New York. The business’s concept—selling loose-leaf teas and ingredients—began in Montreal in 2008 leading to opening its first store on Queen Street, Toronto. In addition to its expansion into the United States, Davids Tea has stores across Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport’s newest restaurant, Pink Sumo, is scheduled to open at 8 Church Lane by mid-October according to a worker at the site. The eatery, which will feature Pan Asian cuisine, opens in the location formerly occupied by restaurants, Zest and most recently by Cafe Manolo. It is just up the street from the new Spotted Horse Tavern. Restaurateur Skye Kwok also owns two other Asian cuisine restaurants, Sweet Basil at 284 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield and Fei Ma (translates from Chinese as Flying Horse)  at 4565 Main St, Bridgeport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com