UPDATE Westport’s gourmet specialty food retailer Balducci’s has been sold to a New York investor group led by the chairman of Kings Super Markets, it was announced today.
Balducci’s on Westport’s Post Road East is under new management. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The group led by New York investor Jim Demme acquired the Westport store as well as Balducci’s stores located in Greenwich, Alexandria, Va., Bethesda, Md., McLean, Va., and Scarsdale, N.Y., the announcement said.

Balducci’s stores in Ridgefield, Washington, D.C., and New York City will be closed. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Mr. Demme has a breadth of experience in food retail at the CEO and chairman level and serves as a senior advisor to New York-based investment firm Angelo, Gordon & Co.,” the announcement said.

Defying the economic slowdown, entrepreneurial brothers Sean (r) and Tom Morton are launching a new business, IFloat at 163 Main St. above Oscar’s Deli. The effort is dedicated to “relaxation therapy,” which according to Sean Morton, is a treatment based on a technique called Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy – REST,” a concept developed in the 1950s. REST therapy involves floating on a bath filled with 10 inches of water that is supersaturated with salts. “The person floats like a cork, totally buoyant,” he said. Former Westporters, Sean graduated from Staples in 1983 and Tom in 1985. Currently under construction, the business will open next month. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

If you can’t wait until Saturday’s grand opening, Crumbs Bake Shop on Taylor Place is open for business. On Saturday, the store will give away one cupcake free to the first 1,000 customers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Crumbs Bake Shop has opened its doors on Westport’s Taylor Place opposite the Westport Public Library in advance of its official grand opening at 8 a.m. Saturday. Taking advantage of the goodies today were the Naples family of Westport: (l-r) Hadley, 3, Garrett, 5, and mom, Tracey. Saturday’s official opening will include a one cupcake giveaway to the first 1,000 customers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westporter Stew Leonard, Jr. told the Westport Rotary Club today that the public has enthusiastically adopted reusable bags at his company’s food stores and showed off several designs. He said the reusable bags were preferable to both plastic and paper in helping protect the environment. The only thing missing, he said, is a reminder on the bag for the owner to not forget them in their car. As for the economy’s effect on sales, he said shoppers are coming into his stores more frequently but are buying less per trip and seeking smaller packaged portions. He said clearly customers are eating out less and cooking more at home. He said he has also noticed an uptick in sale of fruit trees and vegetable plants. Leonard spoke at the group’s weekly meeting at the Inn at Longshore. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Dave Matlow

The final papers have yet to be signed, but plans are nearing completion for a new Italian restaurant, Rizzuto’s Wood-Fired Trattoria and Bar, to take over the vacated Conte’s Restaurant in Westport’s Saugatuck area.
The former Conte’s Restaurant in Saugatuck will become Rizzuto’s Wood-Fired Trattoria and Bar by summer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Owner Bill Rizzuto, who also operates similar style eateries in Bethel and West Hartford, said he expects to open at 540 Riverside Ave. by summer.

Rizzuto, formerly the general manager of the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich from 1996 to 2001 and with the same hotel chain in the San Francisco Bay area for two years, moved back to Connecticut in 2003 to enter the restaurant business.

As for opening a new business during the current economic downturn, Rizzuto said he is confident “that people still want to eat out as family entertainment.”

After a dozen years in its location, Flooring America will close later this month at 1799 Post Road East, according to a landlord representative. The store is in the Garelick & Herbs strip mall opposite Stop & Shop near the Fairfield line. It is adjacent to Sprout, a children’s clothing store, which also is closing.  Al Lenoci Sr, a principal of United Properties of Fairfield, the landlord, said, “It’s unfortunate that so many stores in the area are empty.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Hundreds of shoppers turned out today in the first opening hours of Marshalls Shoe MegaShop at 1076 Post Road East next to Barnes & Noble. The latest addition to the Westport retail scene is 11,000 square feet and features designer name and brand name shoes for ladies, men and kids at up to 50 percent off department and shoe store prices. Parent TJX Companies also owns HomeGoods at 1850 Post Road East. It is also parent company of T.J. Maxx and A.J. Wright. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com