Category: Business - Page 176

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Survey: No Profits for Many Fairfield County Businesses

By Caitlin Emma

www.ctmirror.org

As Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and legislators prepared for next week’s special session on jobs and the economy, the Connecticut Business & Industry Association released a survey today estimating that barely half of businesses in Fairfield County expect to turn a profit this year.

“It’s certainly the single strongest county in the state,” said Peter Gioia, vice president and chief economist of CBIA. “On one hand we’re concerned that profits are low, but there’s still confidence in economic outlook.”

The survey said about 53 percent of Fairfield County businesses expect to turn a profit, compared to an estimated 60 percent in 2010. Despite low and worsening profitability, 38 percent of those surveyed said they expect their businesses to improve and 40 percent think their business will remain stable.

“Those positive numbers have got to be noted,” Gioia said.

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Saturday, October 15th, 2011

Silver of Westport Makes Move Official

A ribbon-cutting ceremony today made the move of Silver of Westport to its new (old) location official at the Compo Acres shopping center on Post Road East. Doing the honors were (l-r) Town Clerk Patricia Strauss, Stephen Silver, Selectman Charles Haberstroh, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, and Susan Silver, co-owner of the store with brother Stephen.. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Grand Opening Today of Silver of Westport

A noon grand opening today will mark the official move of Silver of Westport to its old home a few doors away at the Compo Acres shopping center on Post Road East.

Co-owners Steven and Susan Silver on moving day Oct. 3. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

After 19 years in the same Compo Acres location, the family-owned and operated gift and travel necessity business serving Fairfield County since 1904 has moved to its new space that Silver previously occupied for 31 years beginning in 1951.

Trader Joe’s will expand to include the vacated space.

Co-owners Stephen Silver and his sister Susan are bringing back the door prizes that their father Phil conceptualized and implemented for the original location. They have a free $20 gift for the first 200 customers who make a purchase of $19.51 and there will be a grand opening drawing to win free gifts.

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Arcudi: ‘Volume Doesn’t Justify Rent’

By James Lomuscio

Like the old Yankee Stadium, its large, framed photo on the wall near the register, Arcudi’s Restaurant will also be consigned to the memory of Westporters, many of whom spent a lot of time at the eatery discussing baseball, government and town issues.

Joe Arcudi: “The new Westport doesn’t know the old Arcudi’s.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Joe Arcudi, a lifelong Westporter, Little League and Babe Ruth coach and former first selectman, said economic realities will force him to shut down on Monday.

“I have no choice,” said Arcudi, 69, who first opened the 1035 Post Road East restaurant in 1973, then reopened it again two and half years ago. “My volume doesn’t justify the rent.”

It is not that the $4,100 a month for the one-story, square building next to Carvel is exorbitant by Westport standards. In fact, Arcudi says, it is low. It is just that the man whose advertisements state, “We don’t cut corners,” has had a hard time making ends meet since he reopened after a nearly 15-year hiatus at the same location.

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

Real Estate Report: Roller Coaster Time

By Judy Szablak

Shocking as it may have seemed, as of last week the year-to-date average Westport real estate sales figures were down, albeit by just 2 percent. That, in my opinion, was not representative of the overall market. Additionally, this week’s sales upward roller coaster ride does not mean that prices shot up on the whole, either.

This custom home at 4 Marc Lane is listed for $2,550,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo courtesy of Prudential CT Reaty

Although the inventory and median pricing have remained fairly constant over the last few weeks, our reported sales have doubled over last week’s figures.

Not only that, but the average listing price of those sales increased by more than $300,000. Just as last week was not cause for concern, this week is not cause for a celebration, either. It’s good, but it is not as consistent as it should be yet.

Interpreting the market is a fine art and one must take into account the highs and lows, seasonal adjustments, and other factors. Every week is important in determining the state of the overall market. However, each reporting period is an evolving story.

Comings and Goings: Educator Opens on Church Lane

E.nopi, a South Korean-based company that provides supplemental education and tutoring for children ages 3-16, has opened at Westport’s 70 Church Lane, across from the Christ & Holy Trinity Church. Allan Hong, owner of the Westport franchise, said the once a week tutoring is customized to the individual child within a structured curriculum. The former analyst at a Wall Street hedge fund talks with Jackie Graci, a certified teacher at E-nopi who has an M.S. in education. She was formerly associated with the Norwalk school system. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Monday, October 10th, 2011

New Goodwill Building Taking Shape

The new Goodwill building is taking shape at 1700 Post Road East in Westport, site of the former Peppermill Restaurant. Goodwill Industries of Western Connecticut purchased the property in January for $3 million. Goodwill is moving from its present location at 1572 Post Road East, According to a worker at the site, completion is two to three months away. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Comings and Goings: Cleaners Opens at Bridge Square

Greenfield Cleaners has opened its doors at Westport’s Bridge Square in the Saugatuck area. The owner, John Jang of East Norwalk, said that the Westport location and another in Wilton are for customer drop-offs and that he operates cleaning plants in Greenfield Hills (Fairfield), Riverside and Darien. He said the Westport store offers free pick-up and delivery, a tailor is on site and the store hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Friday, October 7th, 2011

Comings and Goings: GoWaiter.com Delivers

Westport’s newest service business, GoWaiter.com, was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony today in front of the Pane e Bene Restaurant, 1620 Post Road East – one of more than 50 restaurants in Westport, Fairfield, Norwalk, Darien, and Stamford participating in the venture. The Westport-based business was welcomed by First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, state Sen. Toni Boucher and Heather Cavanaugh of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. According to co-owner Mark Lutz, GoWaiter.com delivers prepared meals to homes, offices or hotels for a $3.99 delivery charge (plus the menu price) within an average of 45 to 55 minutes. The participating restaurants are listed on the GoWaiter website http://stamford.gowaiter.com/ Helping cut the ribbon (l-r) were Frank Ambrogio of Go Waiter; Angelo Capponi, Pane e Bene co-owner; Cavanaugh; Boucher; Joseloff; Henry Lopez, Pane e Bene chef and co-owner, and Mark DelGiudice of GoWaiter. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Comings and Goings: Retro Games Plus to PRE

Retro Games Plus, 1761 Post Road East will open in mid-month according to its owner, Kris Krohn who said he’s been “an avid collector of video games for 20 years.” Krohn said his new retail shop is an extension of the online business he started in 2008 (http://www.retrogamesplus.com). He said that the shop, which stocks over 4,000 titles and consoles including Nintendo, Atari, Sega Genesis and Dream Cast will buy, sell or trade video games. The shop is the fourth new business in the past two years in the Post Road East strip. The others are Jordan’s Pizza, Legends of the Game, and Hair Innovations. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com