The Granola Bar, the all-day breakfast and lunch café in Westport and Greenwich, announced today it is expanding to Stamford and Rye, New York.

The first Granola Bar opened in Westport’s Playhouse Square in December 2013. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Founders Julie Mountain and Dana Noorily also announced a growth investment by and operational partnership with Trilynx Partners of Westport.

Its founders, Adam Diamond and Michael Schwartz, have more than 15 years of experience in hospitality brands such as Disney and Starwood Hotels, an announcement said. 

Mountain and Dana Noorily opened the first location in Playhouse Square in Westport in 2013

Matthew Mandell, executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, told the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston today that “business is good in Westport,” citing expansion of the commercial property grand list. He noted there have been some “bumps in the road,” pointing to the recent closings of Sperry, Chico’s and Neat. However, he said the chamber and the Downtown Merchants Association are working on ways to promote downtown in “new and unique ways.” Looking ahead, he said two pending issues could impact the Westport business community —- construction of a new shopping mall at I-95 Exit 15 in Norwalk and the potential rebuilding of the William F. Cribari Bridge in Saugatuck. Preserving the bridge will keep 18-wheel trucks off Westport roads and is “both a safety issue and one that could harm the businesses in Saugatuck,” Mandell said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Customers line up today at Vineyard Vines on Main Street to return, exchange, or buy items in the post-Christmas rush. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Customer lines for the checkout counter snaked around Westport’s Main Street Lululemon Athletica store today. A clerk said, “So far about half our customers are returning merchandise and half are buying sale items.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Six Westport residents today attended nonprofit Catch A Lift’s New York Stock Exchange opening bell. The charity helps post 9/11 combat wounded veterans and raises awareness of their needs. Pictured are Lance Lonegran, Adam Vengrow, Johanna Rossi, Andrew Berman, David Frost and Tom Dippel. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Westport Hedge fund manager and former Army officer David H. McCormick is the front-runner to serve as Donald Trump’s deputy defense secretary, according to Bloomberg News.

David McCormick: president at Bridgewater.  Contributed photo

McCormick, president of Bridgewater Associates Inc., the world’s biggest hedge fund, was eyed earlier as a possible Treasury secretary, a post that ultimately went to former hedge fund investor Steve Mnuchin, the report on Friday said.

McCormick, 51, moved to Westport’s Greens Farms area in 2010 with his wife, Amy Richardson. In 2014, he moved to a waterfront property in Fairfield’s Southport area.

Bloomberg said the potential nomination earned high praise from retired Gen. David Petraeus, who at one point had been seen as a potential secretary of state pick for Trump.