Category: Business - Page 173

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Comings and Goings: Rustico’s Trattoria Opens Monday

Rustico Trattoria, a new Italian restaurant, opens Monday at 1431 Post Road East at the location formerly occupied by Pane Vino Ristorante which closed several years ago. The new restaurant is owned by Norwalk resident Miguel Donofrio, a veteran restauranteur and chef who was a prior owner of Westport’s Finalmente Trattoria at 165 Post Road East and Assaggio in Stratford According to his son, Lucas, 26, the Donofrio family including his sisters, Leticia, 24, and Anna, 22, will work at Rustico along with their father and mother, Gisele, each of whom emigrated from Sao Paulo, Brazil. It will be open seven days a week serving lunch Monday through Friday from noon to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday and until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Comings and Goings: West Elm Opens

Squeezing in right before the holidays, West Elm’s “pop up shop“ opened today on Westport’s Main Street next to Pottery Barn. The temporary shop is stocked with holiday items including gifts, decor and entertaining pieces specifically chosen for Westport. The store is part of the Williams-Sonoma stable. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Juliet Balian for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Comings and Goings: West Elm to Main Street

UPDATE It was moving in day today for home furnishings retailer West Elm at Westport’s 37 Main St. The retailer, owned by Williams-Sonoma Inc., takes over space formerly occupied by Gap Kids. Opening is set for Dec. 8. An announcement said the brand’s “first pop-up shop in Connecticut will open with a unique assortment of furniture, décor and gifts.” It said on opening day, the first 100 customers to pop in will receive a free West Elm tote bag, and all seasonal trim and rugs will be 20 percent off. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Westport’s Unemployment Rate Improves to 5.6%

Westport’s unemployment rate in October was 5.6 percent, down from 5.7 percent in September and the lowest since December 2010, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.

A year ago in October, Westport had a 6.0 percent unemployment rate.

The lowest Westport unemployment rate in recent years was 2.2 percent in December 2006, according to state records.

Among suburban Fairfield County towns, Wilton’s 6.3 October rate was highest. Easton had 6.0, Greenwich had 5.9 percent, New Canaan had 5.7, Weston improved to a 5.4 rate, while Darien had 5.3 percent.

Friday, November 25th, 2011

‘Black Friday’ Shoppers Jam Main Street

Shoppers jammed Westport’s Main Street today for “Black Friday” after Thanksgiving bargains. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Comings and Goings: Westport Invitations Opens

Westport Invitations, featuring invitations, party and packaging supplies, and online computer shopping and custom gifts, has opened at 793 Post Road East near the Westport Wash and Wax. According to owner Valerie Smith, “We opened our first online gift basket store in Kansas City in 2001, then followed into the wedding and party industry. We’ve been online for the past 10 years, and it has been successful for us. We’re excited to open our doors here in Westport and launch our first off-line retail location.” The shop is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Saturday, November 19th, 2011

Large Turnout for ‘Farmageddon’

More than 200 persons turned out Friday night to view the documentary film “Farmageddon” at Westport’s Christ and Holy Trinity Church followed by a question and answer session. The screening of the film which tells the story of small family farms battling the bureaucracy to provide fresh, healthy foods to their communities was presented jointly by the Westport Cinema Initiative (WCI) and the Westport Farmers’ Market and sponsored by Whole Foods Market. “The highlight of the evening was a community of all ages coming together to share in their passion for their support of the independent farmer and their concerns for the food that we eat,” said Sandy Lefkowitz, executive director of WCI. Contributed photo

Comings and Goings: Wax Center Opens

UPDATE In celebration of this week’s opening of the European Wax Center at 409 Post Road East in the Compo Shopping Center, it is offering unlimited free waxing services for all body parts to men and women through Tuesday with reservations required. Joseph Maya and wife Susan, both attorneys, operate the franchise that started in Aventura, Fla. 12 years ago and has grown to almost 300 locations nationwide. Joseph Maya said the Westport location is the first European Wax Center in the state and they plan three additional locations in Stamford, Norwalk, and Fairfield. The business, which employs nine people, is in space formerly occupied by Brandman’s Decorating services which consolidated with its paint department next door. Appointments can be made at (203)295-8905. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Friday, November 18th, 2011

Comings and Goings: Westport Computer Moving

Westport Computer, 238 Post Road East near State Cleaners, is relocating to 41-43 Riverside Ave. by Dec. 1, according to Westport resident Jennifer Shen who co-owns the business with her husband Jack Jia. Shen said the business has operated at its Post Road location since 2005 but since the lease runs out this month “we decided to relocate to the Riverside location which, among other things, offers better customer parking.” Shen said they will continue to operate their other location at 97 Taylor Ave., Norwalk. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Chico’s Doing Brisk Business

Business was brisk today at Chico’s, the women’s apparel and accessories store at Westport’s 61 Main St. It reopened Wednesday after being closed since August due to the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com