By Jarret Liotta

Paid parking in downtown Westport offering a “smart parking” capability was a topic of discussion today at a meeting of the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee.

Dewey Loselle, chair of the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee (l), and First Selectman Jim Marpe at today’s meeting.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

Randy Herbertson, president of the Downtown Merchants Association, cited the possible parking initiative as one reason to be hopeful for Westport’s commercial economic future as a large shopping mall is built in Norwalk at I-95 Exit 15. He said easier parking could help draw shoppers to Westport.

“Without paid parking it would be something that would be hard to get funded annually,” said committee chair Dewey Loselle of the app phone system that would make real-time inventory of parking spaces downtown available to shoppers.

“Most of our neighboring towns have it,” Herbertson said of paid parking. “If it helps to manage parking better … it’s a good thing.”

Debra Kondub (above), owner of Artemis costume jewelry, 617 Post Road East, said it will close this weekend after five and a half years to relocate to 420 Post Road West, across from Whole Foods. It will share a space with next door L.C.R. gifts and decor store, also relocating this weekend. The combined store will reopen in mid-April. Joseph said L.C.R. originally opened on Main Street in the 1990s in space currently occupied by Papyrus. In 2005, it relocated to Playhouse Square and, in 2009, after she acquired the business, it moved to its current location. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Sweet Frog frozen yogurt, 625 Post Road East, has closed. It opened in December 2012. At the time, it was the Virginia-based company’s second location in Connecticut. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Farrow & Ball, 396 Post Road East, in the Compo Acres shopping center, has closed.  The showroom for the manufacturer of traditional paint and wallpaper opened in September 2012 and was located between Jersey Mike’s (formerly the site of Robek Juice) and Compo Farm florist. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Ulta Beauty, a beauty products mega-store, opened today at 1365 Post Road East. The renovated space was previously occupied by Anthropologie, which relocated to Bedford Square one year ago.  According to Ulta Beauty District Manager Cheryl Terrio (above), the Westport store will have its grand opening on Friday, March 30. The 10,000-square foot store offers makeup, skin care, hair care, fragrances, a salon with five stylists and more, she said. This is Ulta Beauty’s 12th location in Connecticut and is one of 1,000 Ulta Beauty stores across the country, Terrio said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Continuing an exodus of name brands from Westport’s Main Street, British clothier Jack Wills has closed its store at 139 Main St. after almost seven years. A sign in the window directs customers to its website. The departure follows the recent closing of Nike, Allen Edmonds, and Diptyque from Main Street. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com