Urban Outfitters, the trendy clothing chain with the 18- to 30-year-old as its target customer, is coming to Westport’s Post Road East. Developer David Waldman said the new outlet of the Philadelphia-based company which also owns Anthropolgie and four other brands, will open in the spring of next year. Part of the 11,600 square foot space at 101 and 107 Post Road East was previously occupied by TDBanknorth. Urban Outfitters recently opened in Greenwich and also has Connecticut stores in Farmington (Westfarms Mall) and New Haven (Yale campus). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Dave Matlow

Restoration Hardware has abandoned its plan to expand its Post Road East presence next door to Westport’s Old Town Hall to sell outdoor furniture, according to owner Rob Haroun.

Weather concerns caused Restoration Hardware to abandon plans for an outdoor furniture store in Westport’s Old Town Hall next door to its current Post Road East location. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“They just couldn’t get their arms around the outdoor furniture concept and the use of the outside display area,” he said of the California-based specialty retailer which has occupied the old Fine Arts Theatre property at 76 Post Road East since 1999.

Haroun, a Westport-based developer who purchased the 1908-built stone structure at 90 Post Road East in March 2010 for $2.35 million (See WestportNow March 31, 2010), said Restoration Hardware management was concerned, among other things, with the impact of the weather.

He said while Restoration had positive experiences in warmer climates such as California, where it initiated the outdoor furniture concept, the company in the end decided Connecticut’s changeable weather might not be suitable.

The Amy Coe shop, 151 Post Road East across from Westport’s main post office, closes on April 30 after six years in that location according to the owner. Coe said she will open an interior design studio. “Westport has been fantastic!,” she said in an email to WestportNow. “The business has such a loyal following…we have done so well here…thank you to our sweet, generous customers! Loved every moment of this retail experience!  Just a new chapter for me personally!.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

When the GAP stores move to their new location up Westport’s Main Street in coming months, their place at 66-69 Main St. will be taken by Nike and the trendy Theory clothing store, according to a real estate source. In addition, the source said Brooks Brothers Women will expand its space at 125 Main St. when the GAP stores move into that building now under renovation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Pottery Barn, 27 Main St., which closed in February for renovations reopens for business on April 30 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:45 a.m. According to tri-manager Michele Messina, the store has operated in that location for 13 years after replacing the Barney’s clothing store. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The makeover of Westport’s Pottery Barn, 27 Main St., includes more floor and display space, according to tri-manager Jessica Arch. The newly renovated shop, which reopens April 30, will expand its product line to include a bath collection, she said. Also, there will be a new design studio. “We’ll go to your home free to make design recommendations,” Arch said. She said on Saturdays there will be a “how-to” design class to which the public is invited. Store hours will be modified, opening one-half hour earlier than previously—9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Needlework Shoppe at 1 Wilton Road at the corner of Post Road West has closed and, according to Arlene Donahue of John D. Hastings Realty, the owner who purchased the building in 2004, said she is exploring new ventures. The 1,554 square feet structure, built in 1800 according to town records, is listed for sale at $995,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Artisan Kitchens, at Westport’s 1252 Post Road East, has closed. The location at Turkey Hill Road South in the same shopping complex with Greens Farms Spirits and Fortuna’s Deli, was previously occupied by Greens Farms Variety. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com