Randy Fiveash, director of the Connecticut Department of Tourism, today addressed attendees at the Westport Inn about ways for businesses to take advantage of and partner with the state to promote themselves. Fiveash told the Westport Weston Chamber Commerce co-branded event that 82,688 Connecticut jobs are directly related to tourism and 121,527 are supported by tourism activities. He also lamented the fact that his department’s budget has been slashed to $5 million — well below that of neighboring states. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
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FDA Nominee Gottlieb Says He’d Challenge Trump on Vaccines
By Ana Radelat
www.ctmirror.orgWashington – Scott Gottlieb, a Westport doctor, today calmly defused tough questions from Democrats during the confirmation hearing on his nomination to head the Food and Drug Administration, promising to safeguard the agency’s rigorous review of drugs and medical devices.
Scott Gottlieb delivers his opening statement at the confirmation hearing today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo from C-SPAN
He also said he would keep his independence from the White House and oppose President Donald Trump if he maintains vaccinations could cause autism. Trump has tweeted there could be a link.
Gottlieb also said he would not be influenced by any sector of the healthcare industry, despite his job at New Enterprise Associates, a large venture capital firm that is heavily invested in medical technology and healthcare companies.
“I want to earn and keep the public’s trust,” Gottlieb told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee.
Post Road East Office Building Sells for $2.2 Million
The 1982-built office building at 1555 Post Road East has been sold for $2.2 million, according to a filing in the Town Clerk’s Office.
The 1982-built office building was appraised by the town at $2.7 million. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
The property consists of an 11,461-square foot structure on .61 acres that the new owners plan to completely update with a new roof, HVAC, windows, masonry, and parking lot, said Brett A. Sherman, senior vice president of Southport-base Angel Commercial LLC.
Sherman, who represented the buyer, said there will be up to 7,500-square feet for lease in the building.
He identified the buyer as Fairfield-based BAO Partners LLC, which he said recently purchased other similar buildings in both Westport and Fairfield with the same investment strategy. The sale filing recorded Monday said the seller was Westport-based1555 PRE, LLC.
Comings & Goings: Le Boudoir to Compo Acres
Le Boudoir spa, a high end blow-dry and beauty bar salon, officially opens opens Friday at 382 Post Road East in the Compo Acres Shopping Center anchored by Trader Joe’s. Owner Mamoune Tazi, Casablanca-born who studied law in Toulouse, France, before discovering his real passion was in making women beautiful, also operates spas in New Canaan and Darien. On opening day he is offering free blow dry services to anyone excluding current clients. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Comings & Goings: SoNo Baking Leaving Church Lane
Two years after moving into 44 Church Lane, SoNo Baking Company’s Bakery & Café is calling it quits. Owner John Baricelli said the business could not support the high rent. A longtime mainstay at the Westport Farmers Market, SoNo Baking will look for another Westport location, he said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Anthropologie Pays Tribute to YMCA
Tucked in a corner of the new Anthropologie & Co. concept store at the Bedford Square development, which had a VIP preview tonight, is a wheel containing the YMCA logo. Next to it is a display of architectural elements of the original YMCA built in 1923. David McCreight, CEO of Anthropologie Group, said the store was proud to pay tribute to the building’s YMCA heritage. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Gallery: First Look: Inside New Anthropologie & Co. Store
Anthropologie & Co. tonight opened its new Westport concept store in the Bedford Square development to VIP guests in advance of its official 10 a.m. opening on Friday. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks as they wandered through the almost 25,000-square foot store on three levels in the building that from 1923 to 2014 housed the Westport Weston Family YMCA. A mini-department store, the facility features clothing—everything from swimwear to wedding gowns—home furnishings, a design center, and a beauty boutique. Guests also got a preview of the adjoining Amis Trattoria, also owned by Anthropologie parent company Urban Outfitters. The complex also includes other yet to be opened retail stores, offices, and rental apartments. WestportNow.com photos
Anthropologie Execs Pleased With New Westport Store
Welcoming guests tonight at the VIP preview of the new Anthropologie & Co. concept store in the Bedford Square development were Anthpologie executives (l-r) Andrew Carnie, president of Home, garden & Europe, Anthropologie; Gareth Lewis, creative director, Home at Anthropologie; David McCreight, CEO of the Anthropologie Group and president of Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN), and Matt Strode, chief talent officer, URBN. McCreight said Anthropologie & Co. at Bedford Square is everything the company had hoped for in size, downtown location, and being in a highly desirable upscale community such as Westport. It is the company’s first concept location in New England and the sixth in the United States. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Gallery: First Look: Inside Amis Trattoria
Amis Trattoria, the Roman eatery from Philadelphia-based Vetri Family of Restaurants in the Bedford Square development, offered a sneak preview tonight to media and VIP guests. It officially opens on Friday adjacent to Anthropologie—both owned by Urban Outfitters. It features seasonally-driven small plates, handcrafted pastas, local seafood and antipasti selections from Executive Chef Brad Spence. Amis Trattoria seats 75 inside with additional seating in warmer weather on the outside terrace. WestportNow.com photos
News-12 Connecticut: A Bit Less Local
UPDATE Cablevision’s News-12 Connecticut, whose slogan is “as local as local news gets,” is a bit less local now.
Ton Appleby, veteran news director of News-12 Connecticut, lamented the rise of social media as the primary source of news for Americans at a Westport Chamber of Commerce dinner last year. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
As announced last October, new owner European telecom company Altice effective this week has moved production work from its Norwalk Cross Street facility to Edison, N.J.
While the news assignment desk, reporters, and videographers remain, familiar anchor faces, including almost 34-year veteran Tom Appleby, are gone.
Westporter Appleby, 72, has been with Cablevision since 1984, serving as vice president, general manager, and news director.
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