Category: Business - Page 189

Sunday, October 18, 2026

First Saugatuck Dunkin’ Saturday is Busy One

The new Dunkin’ Donuts at Bridge Square in Westport’s Saugatuck area was a busy place this morning, the first Saturday since its opening on Thursday. Manager Cesar Hiidalgo said that business has been good since opening. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Comings and Goings: Rugged Bear Closing

Rugged Bear, clothing and outerwear store for kids and toddlers at 1790 Post Road East in Westport in the shopping strip anchored by Stop & Shop, is going out of business. All 39 stores in the Boston-based Rugged Bear chain will close, the company having filed for bankruptcy in Massachusetts on Wednesday. The Westport store is one of nine in Connecticut. According to an employee, “The going out of business signs will be posted tomorrow, we have no exact date for the final day but we think we’ll be open for a few months.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Bridgewater’s Ray Dalio: There’s a Cultural ‘Misunderstanding’

The media-shy head of Westport-based Bridgewater Associates went public today to dispel what he said was a misunderstanding about the culture of the company that runs the world’s largest hedge fund with $87 billion in assets.
Ray Dalio: Employment has been impacted by reports about Bridgewater’s culture which involves intense criticism of employees. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo from CNBC

Ray Dalio, in an appearance on CNBC from Los Angeles, spoke a day after a cover story in a trade journal which said Bridgewater’s rapid expansion had led Dalio to “institute a bizarre culture of criticism.” His firm’s 1,100 employees in four locations make Bridgewater Westport’s largest private employer.

Explaining his decision to appear on the cable business channel, Dalio said, “I’ve been getting too much media attention.”

He added, “Generally speaking there’s a misunderstanding I think a little bit about our culture and reports that’s affected employment and people hiring, and I wanted to clear up some of those points and offer myself out to let people ask me about the culture.”

Saugatuck Dunkin’ Donuts Ready for Opening

The new Dunkin’ Donuts shop in Bridge Square in Westport’s Bridge Square today was ready for its grand opening on Thursday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

SEC Charges Westporter in Insider Trading Case

UPDATE (adds lawyer denial) The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced a civil administrative proceeding alleging insider trading against a Westport-based business consultant who has served on the boards of directors at Goldman Sachs and Procter & Gamble. WestportNow.com Image
Rajat K. Gupta: Beachside Ave. resident charged. World Economic Forum photo

The agency said Rajat K. Gupta, 62, a resident of Beachside Avenue in Westport’s Greens Farms area who formerly headed McKinsey & Co., allegedly tipped off Galleon Management founder and hedge fund manager Raj Rajaratnam with inside information about the quarterly earnings at both firms as well as an impending $5 billion investment by Berkshire Hathaway in Goldman.

The SEC’s Division of Enforcement alleges that Gupta, a friend and business associate of Rajaratnam, provided him with confidential information learned during board calls and in other aspects of his duties on the Goldman and P&G boards.

Rajaratnam used the inside information to trade on behalf of some of Galleon’s hedge funds, or shared the information with others at his firm who then traded on it ahead of public announcements by the firms, the SEC said.

Surfing the Saugatuck: First Retail Tenant for New Development

Downunder owner Kim Beaumont poses with Saugatuck Center developers Sam Gault (l) and Jim Donaher. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Saugatuck Center, the new Gault-owned mixed-use development overlooking the Saugatuck River in the heart of Westport’s Saugatuck area, has signed its first retail tenant – a kayaking and paddle boarding rental, instruction, and surf shop called Downunder.

The signing was announced today and a news release said the shop will open on Memorial Day weekend, just in time for the unofficial start of summer, in a 2,000 square foot street level space.

“Reclaiming this beautiful piece of waterfront property for the enjoyment of the entire community has always been a top priority for us,” said Sam Gault of Hamilton Development, the real estate arm of Gault Energy and Stone.

“Downunder is the ideal anchor tenant for transforming this area into a fun destination for outdoor and water sports enthusiasts, alike.”

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Pottery Barn Shut for Facelift

Westport’s Pottery Barn at 27 Main St. has closed for renovations. Store officials asked town permission to place dumpsters in the rear of the store for seven weeks beginning Tuesday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

River House Diners Kick Off Restaurant Week

Early evening diners at the River House, 299 Riverside Ave., kicked off Westport Restaurant Week today. It is one of 16 Westport area restaurants participating in the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s annual dining event that runs through Saturday. Each restaurant is offering a special prix fixe lunch and dinner menu. Other participating restaurants include Acqua Ristorante, Blue Lemon, Bobby Q’s Barbeque & Grill, Bombay Club, Coromandel, DaPietro’s, La Villa Trattoria, Manolo, Mansion Clam House, Matsu Sushi, Rizzuto’s Wood-Fired Restaurant and Bar, Splash Restaurant & Bar, Tarantino’s, Tavern on Main, Thali, and Via Sforza. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Comings and Goings: House of Clement to Main Street

The House of Clement, an interior design studio with an emphasis on European furniture, opens Sunday at 181 Main St., Westport, in the facility previously occupied by Waterworks. French-born owner Gilles Clement said he has lived in the United States for 14 years and earned a Masters in design at Fairfield University. Now a Stamford resident, he retains interior design offices at 101 Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Comings and Goings: Blue Chip Eatery to Saugatuck

A new casual dining restaurant, the Blue Chip, will open in the space formerly occupied for 14 years by Jasmine, 60 Charles St., in Westport’s Saugatuck area, until its closing last September. The site is just up the street from the 30 Charles St. building that soon will house celebrity chef and restaurateur Mario Batali’s Tarry Lodge Enoteca & Pizzeria. Partner Dean Marino said the Westport Blue Chip will be the second after the initial Blue Chip restaurant in Danbury which opened in May 2010. He said he is cautiously optimistic they can open by late June. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com