Two Westporters who are leaders in the finance industry, in an update of their Westport Public Library appearance a year ago, tonight called on Washington politicians to end partisan bickering and come up with innovative ways to promote economic recovery.
David Komansky, Marc Lasry, and Dan Goodgame listened to audience questions tonight at the Westport Public Library. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

“We can work ourselves out of this if we get some leadership in Washington,” said David Komansky, retired chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch. “Wall Street won’t do it.”

Added Marc Lasry, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Avenue Capital Group, a New York-based distressed fund, “Everyone is looking to blame someone. No one is coming up with solutions.”

He said, “We can solve these issues but no one is stepping forward. The question now is are we going to do what’s good for all of us.”

If you are an affluent resident of Fairfield County, rising health care costs or expenses are among your highest financial concerns, according to a new survey.

Bank of America released results from The Merrill Lynch Affluent Insights Quarterly which measured retirement trends among the affluent in Fairfield County, specifically Westport, Greenwich and Stamford, and across America. 

The study found that 22 percent of affluent residents in Fairfield County are planning to retire later than expected, with 68 percent citing that the recession has taken a toll on their finances.

In alignment with the national results, the survey revealed that local Fairfield County and affluent Americans shared similar perspectives on retirement trends.

The Greens Farms Shell station on Westport’s Post Road East at Maple Avenue South has re-opened under new ownership, the Singh family of Norwalk. The family-owned business also owns the Shell station less than one mile away at 3231 Post Road East in Southport. Co-owner Param Veer Singh said the newly owned location will sell only gas and within a few weeks will open for mechanical services including emission testing. He said the family plans to renovate the new location to add a convenience store. The Greens Farms Shell Service Station at 1530 Post Road East, Westport, was formerly owned by Stan DiGuiseppi, Sr. for the past 41 years until it closed on Dec. 9 (see WestportNow, Dec. 9, 2009) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Many Westport businesses never opened today because of the snowstorm, including the popular new Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Post Road East. By mid-day, about 6 inches had fallen in Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Job loss will continue in Connecticut through 2011, according to the latest quarterly economic forecast by UConn’s Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA), and growth may not resume until 2012 or even later.

The state’s budget crisis will only worsen the problem, the report said. The good news—this outlook is “slightly better” than the last quarterly forecast.

“There is a no jobs recovery in sight,” the report said. “Assuming national growth trails off from the unsustainable 5.7 percent of the fourth quarter,
Connecticut continues to lose jobs through 2011.  The rate of loss simply slows from the predicted rate in the previous CCEA Outlook.”

The report said the state’s economy has undergone a critical structural change as the degree of outsourcing—whether to other states or abroad—has grown quickly for more than a decade. The result is that even strong growth in total output may not translate into rapid improvement in employment. 

Paper Dolls, a “fine stationary, invitations and printed materials shop” has opened at 335 Post Road West, a tucked away location just a few doors away from John’s Best Pizza. Formerly known as Wilton Stationers in Wilton for 28 years, the business was acquired by Margot Vicheron who relocated and re-launched the business in Westport as Paper Dolls. She said that since so many of her customers are from Westport it made sense to “transition the business to this town.”  Pictured are Vicheron (seated) meeting with Westporter Nancy Laner, a longtime customer of the former Wilton Stationers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Then Again, an upscale women’s consignment shop featuring clothing, accessories and art has opened at 993 Post Road East, across from Arby’s, in Westport.  Alison Danzberger, a Southport resident since 1985, said she has an extensive background with New York advertising agencies before entering a field in which she marketed gold embroidered apparel to retailers prior to opening her own shop in Westport.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A Westport-Weston Restaurant Week offering special fixed price lunches and dinners will he held Sunday, Feb. 28 through Saturday, March 6.

Sponsored by the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, the week will feature lunches from $15 to $20 and dinners $25 to $35, depending on the restaurant.

There will also be a special family-style menu for a four-person minimum at varying prices, said Linda Kavanagh, a restaurant publicist working for the Chamber.

“The week will offer consumers great deals, the opportunity to experience some new restaurants, as well as revisit some of their favorites,” she said.

Make & Mingle, founded by three Westport residents, has opened its doors at 63 Unquowa Road on Donnelly Walk in the heart of downtown Fairfield. Touting itself as a new kind of fabric store, Make & Mingle aims to inspire people to “make something” with their selection of designer fabrics, trims and embellishments, screen-printing supplies, and kids activity kits. Westport residents Alexcia Patterson-Schroll, Karen Lawson and Natalie Fabian are the founders. Contributed photo

Mike’s Pizza at 623 Post Road East in the shopping plaza anchored by Fresh Market has closed. Landlord Jay Kowalsky, president of Kowalsky Brothers, said that he was told by the owner that he “just couldn’t make it.” The restaurant opened in Westport in September (see WestportNow Sept. 6, 2009) replacing Martha Ristorante Pizza at the same location. (See WestportNow Aug. 21, 2009). Mike’s Pizza also operates a food service business at Fairfield University. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com