The Liquor Locker wine and spirits shop, formerly located at Westport’s 68 Main St. for the past 44 years, will open next week at its new location in the Compo Shopping Center, 411 Post Road East, according to owner Harvey Skolnick. The new shop, which still awaits delivery of it outdoor signage, is between European Wax Center and Painters Supply. Skolnick said in January that the rent for the same amount of space—about 1,100 square feet—will be about half of what he has paid on Main Street and will have better parking in both the front and back. (See WestportNow Jan. 10, 2012) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
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March Unemployment at 5.7% for Third Month in Row
Westport’s unemployment rate in March was 5.7 percent, the third month in a row at the same level, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.
The department said the number of Westport unemployed in March was 712, up from 706 in February.
The March labor force in Westport numbered 12,553 up from 12,439 in February, and there were 11,841 employed, up from 11,733 employed in February, it said.
The lowest Westport unemployment rate in recent years was 2.2 percent in December 2006, according to state records.
Comings and Goings: Make & Mingle to PRE
A fabric, design, gift boutique and parties store, Make & Mingle, will open soon at 165 Post Road East in the location recently vacated by Agabhumi, a women’s accessories retailer. According to the shop’s blog, it closed its Fairfield shop on April 11. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Comings and Goings: Pink Sumo to Church Lane
A new restaurant, Pink Sumo, featuring Pan Asian cuisine will open soon on Westport’s Church Lane in the location formerly occupied by former restaurants, Zest and most recently by Cafe Manolo. It is just up the street from the new Spotted Horse restaurant. 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
Comings and Goings: Agabhumi Closes on PRE
Agabhumi, a retail store at 165 Post Road East, across from the former main post office, has closed. “We just weren’t making it in Westport—it’s frustrating,” said owner Owner Michael Kirshbaum. He said other Agabhumi stores in Stamdord, Santa Monica, Calif., and Barbados remain open and “in four to six weeks we’ll open a new store on Chapel Street in New Haven.” Agabhumi specialized in jewelry and accessories crafted by Bali, Indonesia artisans. The shop opened in Westport in October 2009.(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Comings and Goings: Health Food Café to Bridge Square
The latest addition to the food scene in Westport’s Saugatuck area is Embody Fitness Gourmet at Bridge Square, joining neighbors Bistro 88 Asian Cuisine and Sushi Restaurant and the soon to open Papadum Indian restaurant. Owner Gillen Bryan, 34, of Stamford said the 720-foot square foot healthy food business will have a soft opening in mid-June and be fully opened by July 1. The former financial services professional who opened his first Embody Fitness Gourmet shop in Darien in January 2008 said the quick service health café will offer juice blends, low carb sandwiches and specialty salads. “We want to fit into everyone’s routine,” he said. “Customers can text-in their orders, a big time-saver and the food is ready for pick-up. We’ve built our concept around hectic, busy routines.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Comings and Goings: 4@1 Closes
The men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and home accessories store 4 @ 1 at 141 Post Road East in Westport has closed. Owner Akram Enany said the men’s and women’s clothing lines “did quite well, but the household accessories and children’s clothing did not do well.” Enany, a Fairfield resident, said he is looking for another location in Westport and, when he reopens, the store will have a new name and carry only men’s and women’s apparel. The 4@1 retail shop opened in June 2010. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Comings and Goings: Munson’s Chocolates Closes
After 20 years in Westport, Munson’s Chocolates, 1460 Post Road East, closed today. According to Karen Munson, a third generation owner of the Bolton, Conn.-based nine-store chain, “It’s the end of our lease, it’s been a great run, but we’ve decided to explore other opportunities in other parts of the state.” According to its website, Munson’s Chocolates was founded by Ben and Josephine Munson in 1946 and was originally titled The Dandy Candy Company. Munson’s stores, all in Connecticut, are located at Bolton, West Simsbury, Newington, Mystic, Orange, South Windsor, Glastonbury, Farmington, West Hartford and at Foxwoods Resort & Casino. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Comings and Goings: Bistro 88 Opens
Bistro 88, the Asian cuisine and sushi restaurant at Westport’s Bridge Square in the Saugatuck section, is undergoing a “soft” opening. Westporter Blair McCaw, founder and president of the marketing consulting company Constellation Management Group, located in offices above the new restaurant, said he was buying takeout at Bistro 88 for the first time. “I’ve been watching its development and waiting for the day I could try the food,” he said. “It’s a nice change for this neighborhood, a change of pace and some healthy food.” Bistro 88 is in space previously occupied by Peter’s Bridge Market. Owned by Paul Chung of Easton, its co-owner with his sister, Naomi, the restaurant seats about 20 and will be open seven days, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and until 10 p.m. on other days. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
In the Money: Dalio Tops Hedge Fund Earners
Ray Dalio, head of Westport’s Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, personally made $3.9 billion last year, according to an industry ranking published today. 
Ray Dalio: head of Westport hedge fund earned $3.9 billion in 2011. Forbes.com photo
Dalio’s $70 billion Pure Alpha fund produced $13.8 billion of investment profits, according to Absolute Return magazine.
Dalio tops the list of the magazine’s richest 25 hedge fund managers. The select group took home $14.4 billion in profits on their own investments last year – down from $22 billion in 2010, the magazine said.
Dalio, a Greenwich resident, has pledged to donate half of his wealth to charity. Bridgewater has 1,200 employees in four Westport locations as well as others in Wilton and Norwalk.
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