Category: Business - Page 33

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Kowalsky HQ Moving Next Month to Become Assisted Living Facility

Kowalsky Brothers Construction will pull up stakes on it 48-year headquarters on Post Road East to make way for Westport’s first assisted living facility to be built in more than half a century.

An architect’s rendering of the planned assisted living facility at 1141 Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed graphic

Jay Kowalsky, co-owner of the company, said it will be moving from 1141 Post Road East in about 30 days to Honeyspot Road in Stratford near Exit 30 off I-95.

At the 5.4-acre 1141 Post Road East parcel, Boston-based LCB Senior Living plans to construct a 97,194-square-foot, three-story building with a total of 96 rooms.

The project won unanimous approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) at its May 3 meeting.

Thursday, July 26th, 2018

Tesla Eyes Former Dragone Motors Property

By James Lomuscio

Denied a dealership and service center in Westport’s Saugatuck area last year, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla appears to be eyeing the space recently vacated by Dragone Classic Motors at 176 Post Road West.

The former Dragone Classic Motors property at 176 Post Road West. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

At tonight’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) meeting Eric D. Bernheim, attorney for property owner applicant 176 Post Road West LLC, did not say Tesla by name. He referred to it as only “a company that sells exclusively electric cars, not hybrids.”

The reason Bernheim played it close to the vest during the pre-application hearing before the P&Z is that a text amendment is in the works for two options the property owner is considering to expand the existing building’s coverage.

The applicant wants to expand the building from its current 10,000 square feet to 17,000 to 20,000 square feet, Bernheim said.

Wednesday, July 25th, 2018

Comings & Goings: Haus of Pretty to Railroad Place

Haus of Pretty, a beauty salon, has opened at 24 Railroad Place across from the Metro-North westbound platform at Saugatuck. The space was previously occupied by The Flat, home design store, which relocated to 40-42 Railroad Place one year ago. It is owned by Kelsey Morey, a Connecticut native who received her degree in cosmetology from Brio Academy of Fairfield in 2011. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, July 24th, 2018

Panel Seeks New Ways to Slow Skyrocketing State Pension Costs

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

A new panel is exploring how Connecticut can use state assets — both physical properties and revenue streams — to mitigate pension costs expected to surge dramatically over the next 15 years.

Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, talks with reporters about the new state Pension Sustainability Commission. Keith M. Phaneuf for CtMirror.org

Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, chairman of the Pension Sustainability Commission, made clear today at the group’s introductory meeting that this would not entail proposals to lease or sell state parks or other assets that are amenities or otherwise receive regular use from the general public.

But it could mean assigning other assets — such as annual proceeds from the Connecticut lottery, or unused state land or buildings — to cash-starved pension funds.

By selling, leasing, transferring or even borrowing against these assets, Connecticut could — through a complicated process — slow the growth of pension costs that already consume about 15 percent of the General Fund.

Finance Talk

The Westport Rotary Club today got an update on town and education finances from Gary Conrad (l), Westport’s finance director, and Elio Longo, school business manager. Among concerns, according to Conrad, is the “skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs that sometimes cost $10,000 to $15,000 a month.” Longo told the group 99 per cent of the schools’ financial support comes from the community and that salaries represent about 66 percent of its budget. Longo emphasized, “State support is non-existent.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Saturday, July 14th, 2018

Comings & Goings: Letarte Luxe Opens on Post Road East

Letarte Luxe, a resort wear apparel boutique for women, has opened at 123 Post Road East, opposite the Old Town Hall. According to manager Melissa Panick (above), a Westport resident, the business began 16 years ago by two sisters, Lisa and Michelle Letarte who lived in Fairfield. There was a store in Hawaii and one in the East. Today the Westport store is its eighth, the nearest one is in Greenwich. Others are in Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Palm Beach, the Hamptons, Maui and Waikiki. Panick said apologetically, “We’re so new we still do not have our store name sign outside.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Friday, July 13th, 2018

Comings & Goings: The Naan Opens on Post Road West

The Naan, a northern India cuisine restaurant, opened today at 361 Post Road West in the apace previously occurred by Kibberia, a Middle Eastern cuisine restaurant that closed two years ago. Raman Bindra, a resident of Orange, who co-owns The Naan with family member Sonny Anand of Glen Oaks, New York, said the eatery features a buffet, full table service dining a full bar and seats 100 patrons. Bindra and Anand also own Namaste Restaurant & Cafe in Queens, New York for the past three years. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Comings & Goings: Wafu Noodle to Bedford Square

Wafu Noodle and Korean BBQ will open in September in Bedford Square in downtown Westport. According to owner Elaine Chen, who also owns Wafu Asian Bistro, 3671 Post Road, Southport since 2012, the Westport location, adjacent to Amis Ristorante, will seat 60 people plus have additional tables in the patio. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, July 10th, 2018

RTM Approves $350,000 for Land Use Software

It seems pretty obvious, but in several decades at Town Hall an integrated electronic permit software system has repeatedly eluded the technology gurus.

That seems about to change with unanimous approval tonight by the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) of a $350,000 appropriation for townwide land use permitting software.

The cloud-based system is designed to improve efficiencies and permit turnaround times and, if authorized, allow residents to electronically follow the progress of their applications.

According to Sarah Harris, town operations director who made the request, the software would be provided by Acella, a worldwide government software company, and it will be implemented by zedIT,
Harris said the software is expected to be in place by April.

Comings & Goings: Peloton to Open on Main Street

Peloton indoor exercise bikes and apparel accessories will open at 56 Main St. in the space previously occupied by Sperry, which closed in December 2016 after less than three years at that location. According to the Peloton website, the company operates 34 stores in 15 states and the District of Columbia. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com