Today was the official ribbon cutting for the opening of the Thali Indian cuisine restaurant at 376 Post Road East in the Compo Acres shopping center. The location was previously occupied by the Taipan restaurant. It is the fifth Thali location in Connecticut run by Indian chef Prasad Chirnomula (2nd r). Joining him in the ribbon cutting were First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff and Lisa V. Thygerson , executive director of the Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Another sign that summer is around the corner is the opening of the Top This Frozen Yogurt shop in the location of the departed Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at 14 Post Road East in Westport’s center. Top This will be located not far from Sunny Daes on Riverside Avenue and down the street from Baskin-Robbins at 180 Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Writers’ Workshop is opening a teaching and event space at 3 Sylvan Road South. The new space will be officially launched with an open house reception on Friday, May 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The new 800 square-foot combination studio and classroom will accommodate the record number of writing workshops being offered for the 2010 spring session. Author and award-winning commentator Jessica Bram, a WestportNow contributor, is founder and president of the Westport Writers’ Workshop. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

After 28 years in the same location, Photozip at 1779 Post Road East in Westport is closing. Owner Bruno Cos, 73, of Stamford said he is closing the store offering one-hour film developing and photo finishing services “because the economy and everything else is going against us.”  “What could we do? (We’re) losing money left and right,” he said. Cos said all the big chains sell photographic prints “for half the price that I need to sell them” and that the popularity of digital cameras has reduced the need for his business services. “I feel sad about closing, but on the other hand I’m 73 and maybe it’s mother nature giving me a call,” he said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport-based Terex Corporation today posted weaker-than-expected quarterly results that were pulled down in part by a drop in its off-highway truck business.

The company, which makes construction and material handling equipment, reported a first-quarter net profit of $539.9 million, or $4.98 a share, compared with a net loss of $74.9 million, or 79 cents a share, last year.

But those results included $620.4 million, or $5.72 a share, in proceeds from the sale of its mining equipment business.

Terex reported a net loss from continuing operations of 73 cents a share on sales of $935.9 million.

UPDATE Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said today he has sued Westport National Bank and a Westport-based money manager for “effectively aiding and abetting” a fraud by convicted Ponzi scheme operator Bernard Madoff.
Blumenthal said his office is seeking to recover $16.2 million in fees paid to Westport National and an investment advisor. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com/file

In a statement, Blumenthal said his office, in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Banking, is seeking to recover for investors $16.2 million in fees paid to Westport National and Robert L. Silverman, a Wilton resident whose Connecticut actuary and investment advisory firm is based in Westport.

Blumenthal also is seeking a $100,000 fine for each violation of state banking laws and legal costs.

The attorney general acted two weeks after Gov. M. Jodi Rell said the bank allegedly received $2.5 million in fees for managing pooled investments for Bernard Madoff and that she had referred results of a preliminary investigation to Blumenthal’s office.

A new apparel and home accessories store, 4 @ 1, will open soon at 141 Post Road East in Westport, according to owner Akram Emany. Prior to owning this retail business Emany was the manager of “& Company” located in Norwalk and Westport, the Westport shop having occupied the same location where 4 @ 1 will soon operate. Emany describes the new store as one that specializes in “high end apparel for men, women and children as well as household accessories such as towels and linens.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A “high end” women’s apparel shop, Rahelia Evening Wear, has opened at 125 Post Road East across from the downtown post office.  According to owner Rachel Durrani, the family has been in business for 32 years starting in Mount Kisco, N.Y. and then Fairfield before relocating to Westport. Durrani, a resident of Easton, describes the shop as one that caters to “mothers of brides and grooms and mothers of Bar Mitzvah boys.”  She said that she opened the shop in Westport because so many of her client base are Westporters. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com