UPDATE Westport’s Five Guys Burgers and Fries at 538 Post Road East will open Tuesday, according to Dana Marona, owner-operator of the restaurant. A worker there earlier had said Saturday was opening day. “We will be opening on Tuesday due to our final permits and our training process that must be completed with employees before opening,” she said in an e-mail message. “We look forward to Tuesday and serving Westport.” The fast food restaurant, which has 450 outlets in 25 states, has generated much interest among Westport burger and fries aficionados.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

People who invested with imprisoned swindler Bernard Madoff through Westport National Bank will have to work a little harder to get back lost investment money because of a judge’s ruling.
The suit was filed against Westport National Bank on Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com/file

U.S. District Court Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven has ruled that the victimized investors cannot file a class action lawsuit against the bank. Dorsey also denied the bank’s motion to dismiss.

The 26 plaintiffs were suing for part of $60 million lost from accounts the bank invested with Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities. All together, more than 200 investors could have been part of the class. Dorsey remanded the case to Superior Court. (See WestportNow July 8, 2009)

The plaintiffs argue that the bank breached its contractual duty to serve as custodian of the accounts, a role designed to prevent fraudulent investment activity.

By Dave Matlow

Westport is about to get a new Chinese takeout from a Westport family with a long history of serving up Oriental fare.
Westport Chinese Takeout will open in about three weeks at 67 Saugatuck Ave. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport Chinese Takeout will open at 67 Saugatuck Ave. in about three weeks, according to co-owner Lena Liu. She and her husband John also own the nearby Jasmine Restaurant at 60 Charles St.

Lena Liu said that they are opening the additional food establishment because they intend to renovate Jasmine which she said will require it to be closed for about two months.

“This way customers will a choice for good Chinese food even when Jasmine is closed.” she said.

By Dave Matlow

Sunny Daes ice cream shop has opened its doors for business at Westport’s 30 Riverside Ave. Sort of.
Westport is the fifth Sunny Daes shop for owner Sergio Keskin. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

According to owner Sergio Keskin, 42, the shop is now open from noon to 9 p.m. “except when there’s a blizzard or something like that.”

He calls this a “soft opening” until the grand opening which is scheduled for Feb. 15. “Meanwhile we’re playing it by the weather,” he said.

Keskin, a resident of Trumbull, said that this is his fifth Sunny Daes shop. His first was in Stamford in 1999. Two others followed in Fairfield in 2001 and 2002, and the most recent in Trumbull in 2006.

By early afternoon today, the lines at Westport’s Banana Republic on Main Street spanned the length of the store, from the front to back. Despite the crowd, customers said the store was well staffed and the lines moved along quickly. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, with people using time to catch up with friends on the line. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Those seeking gift exchanges and post-Christmas bargains were out early today at Westport retailers. Brooks Brothers on Main Street opened its doors at 8 a.m. and offered an additional 15 percent discount for purchases before 1 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Crews are working to get ready for the long awaited opening shortly after New Year’s Day of Westport’s newest fast food entry, Five Guys Burger and Fries, at 538 Post Road East in space previously occupied by Totally Kool women’s apparel. The Five Guys chain was founded in Arlington, Va. in 1986 and has expanded to 450 outlets in 25 states. Other Connecticut locations are in Newtown, Orange, Brookfield, New Haven. Avon, Wethersfield, and Mystic. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A number of Westport downtown retailers said they were pleasantly surprised today with the level of last minute Christmas shopping. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Leonards Antique Furniture store, 1026 Post Road East, has completed its move to its new location across the street at 1045 Post Road East (see WestportNow Nov, 8, 2009). The new location was previously occupied by Smith & Hawken, a high-end gardening store that went out of business in July. (see WestportNow July 10, 2009). Leonards occupied its prior location since March 2000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Terex Corporation, the world’s No. 3 maker of heavy earth-moving equipment, is to sell its mining business for $1.3 billion cash to mining equipment maker Bucyrus International Inc., the companies said today.

The unit being sold, which includes hydraulic mining excavators and electric drive mining trucks, has 38 facilities around the world with approximately 2,150 employees.

South Milwaukee, Wisc.-based Bucyrus said the deal would create a “premier supplier of mining equipment.”

Terex can request to receive $300 million of the purchase price in the form of Bucyrus shares, Bucyrus said.