Category: Business - Page 28

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Comings & Goings: Tecknow Opens

Tecknow, a residential and business technology integrator, has opened at 12 Elm St. (rear level of Bedford Square, opposite HSBC Bank). Owner Phil Levieff, a 1988 Staples High School graduate, said his company offers technology design, implementation and management of Apple-based-platform products and services that “help people of all generations make upgrades in their household or business that applies the benefits of rapidly advancing technology.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Sunday, December 2nd, 2018

Comings & Goings: Toy Post Opens

The Toy Post toy store has opened 180 Post Road East, next door to the AT&T store at the corner of Bay Street. Owner Nathan Shapiro, 29, a Ridgefield resident, said the store offers a broad range of toys appealing to infants up to young teens. Shapiro said he also owns the New Canaan Toy Store, 94 Park St., New Canaan, having purchased it from its prior owners in August. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Friday, November 30th, 2018

Comings & Goings: du Pont Jewelers Closing

Francois du Pont Jewelers will close at Sconset Square with a final sale of all merchandise on two consecutive weekends, Dec. 1 and 2, 8 and 9. According to Julie du Pont, whose husband Noel died Nov. 15 (See WestportNow, Nov. 21, 2018) everything is reduced by 50 percent. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, November 28th, 2018

A Second Effort to Sound a Fiscal Alarm in Connecticut

By Mark Pazniokas

www.ctmirror.org

The Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth today produced a bleak assessment of Connecticut’s fiscal health for the incoming governor and General Assembly, the panel’s second attempt in nine months to convince policy leaders that the state is rapidly approaching a tipping point.

In a 32-page report, the commission sharpened a sprawling set of prescriptions initially issued on March 1, only to see its work attacked by labor and quickly shelved as a closely divided legislature turned to the short-term task of closing a deficit, balancing the state’s $20 billion budget, and campaigning for re-election.

The commission says the state needs to shrink spending by $1 billion, while adding revenue by modernizing its system of taxation and tax collection — not by raising tax rates. The panel backed away from a previous call to curtail collective bargaining for public employees, instead suggesting Gov.-elect Ned Lamont seek voluntary concessions.

“Now, the timing is right,” the commission says. “We have a new Governor-elect and General Assembly-elect, and a full legislative session coming in 2019. In this interim period we have refined and focused our recommendations, and now present our ‘Report 2.0.’ We believe it is the correct starting point for comprehensive and bipartisan reform. While our problems are severe, we are convinced they are fixable.”

Tuesday, November 27th, 2018

Campaign Pushes ‘Love’ for Local Businesses

Local retailers should be getting a lot of love this holiday season due to the brainchild of Melissa Post and Megan Rutstein, aka WestportMoms.

The Local Love card. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Their campaign dubbed Westport Local Love lets consumers buy a Local Love card for $40 and then use it for discounts up to 20 percent at more than 100 town businesses, including retailers, salons, spas, restaurants, even the Westport Playhouse.

“Not only is this campaign a wonderful push for consumers to shop local this holiday season, but a portion of the proceeds will also go toward building a playground in downtown Westport,” said Colleen Angione-Wiedmann, communications director for the Westport Downtown Merchants Association (WDMA).

“The WDMA is thrilled to support this campaign, along with the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Westport,” she added.

RTM to Utility Wires: We Will Bury You

Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) tonight paved the way for the completion of Main Street’s underground utilities to enhance the downtown streetscape.

Some of the wires to be buried. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By a 24 to 2 with 1 abstention vote, the legislative body approved a $328,000 appropriation to remove the remaining three utility poles at the intersection of Main Street, Avery Place and Parker Harding Road at Gorham Island and to bury the communications wires.

Public Works Director Pete Ratkiewich, who made the request, said the poles’ removal would allow his department to complete the repaving of Main Street and to begin repaving of Parker Harding Plaza.

The three poles, which Ratkiewich called unsightly, currently support only communications wires because Eversource removed the overhead electrical wires several years ago.

Monday, November 26th, 2018

Comings & Goings: Library Pop Up Store Opens

The Westport Library opened a satellite pop-up store at 31 Church Lane opposite Spotted Horse Tavern. According to Heli Stagg, Library’s retail manager, it offers “a wide range of unique, carefully curated gifts for people of all ages as well as a great selection of greeting cards and holiday and hostess gifts. Many items are handmade, some are quirky and all are thoughtfully selected.” The space was formerly occupied by CronArt. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Preparing for the Worst

With a forecast of flooding of low lying areas, Westport downtown retailers rushed preparations today to protect from overflowing waters of the Saugatuck River. Pictured are workers at The Shade Store getting barriers in place in Parker Harding Plaza. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Taking No Chances

Anthropologie in Westport’s Bedford Square suffered some basement flooding during a storm event last month so today it was taking no chances as workers erected flood barriers after a forecast of new flooding. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Friday, November 23rd, 2018

Brisk Black Friday Business on Main Street

Retailers reported brisk Black Friday business today in Westport’s downtown area despite bitter cold temperatures in the 20s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo