Category: Business - Page 35

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Q&A on Medical Marijuana in Westport

(Editor’s Note: Because of questions and concerns about the possibility of medical marijuana dispensaries coming to Westport, WestportNow offers the following Q&A to help clarify the issue.)

By James Lomuscio

Q: How many medical marijuana facilities are there in Connecticut?

In March, a large crowd was on hand for a P&Z meeting and discussion of medical marijuana dispensaries. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A: There are currently nine serving an estimated 26,000 patients with state authorized medical marijuana cards in Connecticut. The dispensaries are located in: Bethel, Branford, Bristol, Hartford, Milford, New London, South Windsor, Uncasville and Waterbury.

Q: Why are operators of medical marijuana dispensaries interested in Westport?

A: The P&Z on June 1, 2017 passed its own text amendment 735, which allows no more than two medical marijuana dispensaries in town. The decision came after a P&Z committee spent two years holding sparsely attended public hearings. The rationale for the amendment was that if the P&Z did not pass the regulation, the state could force such dispensaries on the town. The reason for two dispensaries was to minimize price fixing.

Wednesday, May 30th, 2018

Among CT Cities & Towns, the Wealthiest — Including Westport — Are the Big Spenders

Editor’s note: This is the second article in an occasional Connecticut Mirror series exploring wealth and income inequality in Connecticut and its impact on a state struggling to cope with massive debt. Today’s installment highlights Westport among the wealthiest communities.

By Keith M. Phaneuf and Clarice Silber

www.ctmirror.org

When Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin appealed for help to save his municipality from bankruptcy, one response he faced was that the capital city’s big-spending ways had come home to roost.

The perception that Connecticut’s cities, facing struggling schools, poverty, crime and heavily traveled roads, easily outspend their suburban and rural neighbors can be found both around the capital city and elsewhere in the state.

But when municipal spending is examined on a per capita basis, it’s Connecticut’s suburbs — and particularly those in Fairfield County — that lead the way in spending.

Rather than a greater need for government services, it is the availability of wealth, tax reform advocates say, that determines which communities will spend the most.

Click HERE for more of story

Tuesday, May 29th, 2018

Comings & Goings: Bankwell Opens June 9

Bankwell, the New Canaan-based online and retail bank, will open at 100 Post Road East on June 9, according to Mike Pida, branch manager (above.) The space formerly was occupied by Steven Alan, men’s and women’s casual apparel and accessories, which closed in August. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Already Deep in Debt, CT Struggles With Extremes of Wealth and Income

Editor’s note: This is the first article in an occasional Connecticut Mirror series exploring wealth and income inequality in Connecticut and its impact on a state struggling to cope with massive debt. Westport will be featured in a future installment.

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

Even within a nation racing dangerously toward unprecedented levels of income and wealth inequality, Connecticut stands apart.

The gap between its richest and poorest citizens — and that between the top and the middle class — outstrips those in most other states, and in many other corners of the globe.

Since the last recession, inequality in Connecticut has not been a simple case of hedge fund principals reaping rewards that dwarf a still-prosperous middle class. Rather, only the richest of Connecticut’s most affluent households, on average, have improved their standing.

While economists and politicians differ over how to address the problem, those on all sides of the inequality debate generally agree there is an economic tipping point: when disparities become too extreme and too many are struggling.

Click HERE for more of story

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018

IRS to Crack Down on Connecticut Tax Workaround

By Ana Radelat

www.ctmirror.org

Washington — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department said today they intend to issue regulations to rein in an attempt by Connecticut and other states to get around a new limitation on the deductibility of state and local taxes.

In its notice, the IRS and Treasury Department made clear that federal law — not states — controls the characterization of payments.

“Despite these state efforts to circumvent the new statutory limitation on state and local tax deductions, taxpayers should be mindful that federal law controls the proper characterization of payments for federal income tax purpose,” the IRS notice said.

The new federal tax overhaul, called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, limited the amount of state and local taxes an individual can deduct in a calendar year to $10,000.

Monday, May 21st, 2018

Comings & Goings: Allen Edmonds Closes on Main St.

Allen Edmonds, men’s shoe and accessories store, at 69 Main St., has closed. Anticipated since the early part of the year, its closure further drains energy from Westport’s Main Street retailer tradition. The store, which opened in the summer of 2012, was in the space previously occupied by The Gap, which relocated to 125 Main St. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Saturday, May 19th, 2018

Comings & Goings: New Indian Restaurant to PRW

The Naan, an Indian cuisine restaurant, will open in early June at 361 Post Road West according to owner Sonny Anand of Glen Oaks, New York where he operates Namaste Restaurant & Café. He said the location’s spacious seating capacity of 100-115 in its 3,600-square foot facility will offer a range of cuisine including Indo-Chinese, north and south Indian and some Mediterranean specialties. He added, “We will also feature a full bar with sports bar ambience and be a venue for large corporate and pre-wedding parties.” Kibberia, a Middle Eastern cuisine restaurant that opened in July 2013 and closed in August 2016, formerly occupied the space. Prior to that, John’s Best Pizza occupied the space for 45 years until it closed in January 2013. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Friday, May 18th, 2018

Comings & Goings: HSBC Bank Opens at Bedford Square

HSBC Bank has opened at 24 Elm St. in the upper level of Bedford Square. According to Richard Barnes, HSBC branch manager (above), the full service bank is one of three full service HSBC branches in the state. The others are located in Darien and Stamford. Barnes said there are 230 branches in 10 states and operations in 77 countries, HSBC relocated from its 5,000 square feet space at 19 Post Road East to its current 2,800 square feet space. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, May 16th, 2018

Finance Board Keeps Mill Rate Flat

For the third year in a row, Westport’s Board of Finance tonight unanimously kept the mill rate flat at 16.86.

That translates into $16.86 of taxes for every $1,000 of a home’s assessed value determined by the revaluation two years ago.

According to Finance Director Gary Conrad, the mill rate was based on town budget of $206,936,386, offset by revenue estimates for next year and a $3.6 million drawdown.

“We’re doing the right thing by showing a consistency,” First Selectman Jim Marpe said before the vote, adding that a flat mill rate would encourage homebuyers to choose Westport over other towns.

Tuesday, May 15th, 2018

Comings & Goings: JoJo Maman Bébé to Playhouse Square

JoJo Maman Bébé, a UK-based apparel store featuring maternity, children and baby clothing, has opened at 275 Post Road East in Playhouse Square near the Granola Bar. According to store manager Halima Cecunjanin, the Westport location is the first in the U.S. with other locations planned in Greenwich and Hoboken, New Jersey. The business, founded by Laura Tenison is now headquartered in Newport, Wales with its main marketing offices in London. It owns 60 stores employing over 400 people. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com