Westport Developer David Waldman was back before the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) tonight to float a new idea to develop downtown’s Elm Street.

The property at 36 Elm St. would be turned into a parking lot to be swapped for town-owned land in the Baldwin lot across the street. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

In an informal presentation to the body, Waldman sought feedback on a plan to swap the property at 36 Elm St., currently occupied by the Villa Del Sol Mexican restaurant and empty retail space, for part of the town-owned Baldwin parking lot across the street.

There, behind the Lux Bond & Green Store at 136 Main St., he proposed building a 9,750-square foot building housing a relocated Villa Del Sol, retail space, and four apartments, including one affordable one.

Waldman, who is a principal in developing the Bedford Square project adjoining 36 Elm St., said as part of the swap, he is considering buying the 36 Elm St. property for $5.1 million, knocking it down, and turning it into what would become town parking.

The Westport Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) tonight made it official – the Boathouse Restaurant at the privately owned Saugatuck Rowing Club, 521 Riverside Ave., can be open to the public. Responding positively to an application by the club’s owners, P&Z Chair Chip Stephens praised the club for its contribution to the town. But at the same time he told Greenwich businessman Howard Winklevoss, representing the owners, that the restaurant, which had been approved for members’ only, represented another example of “coming back for something that has been in violation really for 15 years now.” Winklevoss said having the restaurant officially open to the public was necessary to make it economically viable. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Post 154 restaurant, which closed Jan. 18 because of a pending sale to another eatery, is back on the market.

A new tenant is sought for Westport’s Post 154, which closed last month at 154 Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“Post 154 is on the market again after a deal fell through at the eleventh hour,” Laura Leeds, principal of Simon David Real Estate, a Westport-based firm, said today.

Leeds had reported on Jan. 22 that the restaurant located in the old Westport Post Office building at 154 Post Road East had closed becuase the business’ owners had gone to contract “with a company that plans to open another restaurant there this year.”

With today’s news that the deal has fallen through, Leeds said her company is actively looking for a new buyer.

Westport-based Saugatuck Sweets, the popular ice cream and candy store at 575 Riverside Ave. that opened in April 2014, has opened its second location at 28 Reef Road in Fairfield. It is co-owned by Westporters Al DiGuido and Pete Romano. The 1,600-square foot facility – almost twice the size of Westport—includes a second floor for birthday parties for up to 60 people “We’re even more excited about the Fairfield location which has so much more daytime activity than our Saugatuck location,” said DiGuido. “We’re prepared for a major onslaught of customers here. We’re ready to rock.”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Dave Matlow

The 39-year-old office building at 500 Post Road East, across from Westport Fire Headquarters, is getting a green makeover.

Timon Malloy, representing the owner of 500 Post Road East, is shown on the third floor of the building, which he says will be “totally green.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The building, former home of Terex Corp., changed ownership in March 2012 for $9 million. Timon Malloy, president of Stamford-based Fred F. French Investing LLC , the new owner, said innovation of the 37,000-square foot building is being completed in two phases with final completion projected for 2017.

The former Westport resident said the initial phase, the 15,000-square foot third floor, is well underway. Then the second phase will begin—renovation of the entrance level and second floor.

“The building will be totally green, a shift from the original structure, which lacked proper insulation and was mainly electric powered,” said Malloy, son of the late Westport artist Susan Malloy.

Lester’s, a clothing, shoes and accessories store, with contemporary fashions, will open next month at 605 Post Road East (opposite Fresh Market) in the space previously occupied by WishList that closed last month after 18 years. Westport will be the fifth location for the chain that has other locations in New York City’s Upper East Side as well as in Greenvale, Rye Brook and Brooklyn, N.Y. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Shoe-Inn, the women’s designer shoe store for four decades at 38 Main St., has reopened across the street at 21 Main St. next to Pottery Barn. The new space was formerly occupied by Henry Lehr. Shoe-Inn has seven other stores located in New Jersey, Westchester County, New York City, and Long Island. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com