Category: Business - Page 93

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Comings & Goings: Bertucci’s Closing

Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant, 833 Post Road East, will close at end of business on Sunday after 24 years in the location, according to Bertucci District Manager Stephen Sherlock. “Our lease expired and we could not come to terms with the landlord,” he said. He said the 24 employees will be offered jobs in one of the nearest Bertucci locations – Orange, Shelton, and Darien. Longtime Westporters will remember The Clam Box occupied the location from 1940 (except for the World War II years) until 1985, followed by Tanglewood’s before Bertucci’s opened in 1992. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

After 24 Years, No More

The interior of Bertucci’s Italian Restautant, 833, Post Road East, today after it was announced the restaurant will close at end of business on Sunday. The location has been home to restaurants for at least 75 years, beginning with The Clam Box in 1940 and Tanglewood’s from 1985 to 1992 when Bertucci’s opened. The Clam Box suffered a least three fires during its existence—in 1951, 1958, and 1968. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Thursday, January 14th, 2016

Comings & Goings: Organachs Skin Care Opening

Organachs, a natural and organic products and holistic facial services business, will open at 15 Post Road West by March 1, according to its owner, Siobhan McKinley of Ridgefield. McKinley, whose parents were born in Ireland, said Organachs—the Irish word for organics—has a “farm to skin” theme because of its natural skin care products and “my pursuit of living organically.” She added, “We source organic products, not normally available in Fairfield County, from around the world.” The 640-square foot space is located between Art’s Deli and Age of Reason, the latter reducing the size of its store. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, January 13th, 2016

Comings & Goings: Westport Florist to Saugatuck

Westport Florist, formerly Hansen Floral Arts, 240 Post Road East in Colonial Green, will relocate to 1 Treadwell Ave. (above) at the intersection of Saugatuck and Riverside Avenues on Feb. 1, according to Franco Fellah of Westport-based HK Realty Group. The business has been at Colonial Green for five years. Westport Florist is owned by Trumbull resident Bruce Minoff, who also owns Bruce’s Flowers, 454 Main Ave., Norwalk, and Hansen Flower Shop, 1040 Post Road, Fairfield. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

GE Moving to Boston

UPDATE General Electric announced today that it has selected Boston for its new headquarters.

Fairfield has been home to GE for four decades with many employees living in Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The company has been based in Fairfield for four decades with many of its executives and employees living in Westport over the years. GE said about 800 employees would be employed in Boston.

GE has been looking for a new home since last summer when it said it was unhappy with Connecticut’s corporate tax structure. Its announcement followed a report by the Boston Globe that the move was confirmed.

The Globe said the company informed Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh today. Fairfield First Selectman Michael Tetreau also said he had been informed.

Monday, January 11th, 2016

Comings & Goings: WishList Closes

By Dave Matlow

WishList, the Westport girls’ and women’s apparel store at 606 Post Road East (opposite Fresh Market), has closed after 18 years.

WishList Westport closed along with stores in Greenwich and Darien. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow or WestportNow.com

According to co-owner Susan Zarrilli, a Westport resident, who owned the business with Carla Strobel of Norwalk, WishList stores also closed in Greenwich after 12 years and in Darien after 10 years.

“We served customers from 10 years old to grandmothers,” said Zarrilli. She said the business employed 25, down from 40 employees a few years ago.

“I’m tired,” she said. “After our fire in September (see WestportNow Sept. 19, 2015) causing us to close for six weeks because of smoke damage, I got to thinking more about the importance of my life and came to this conclusion to retire from the business. Our lease is up and this is the time for that decision.”

Friday, January 8th, 2016

Comings & Goings: Bobby Q’s Closing

Bobby Q’s, a Westport Main Street ribs favorite since 2004, is closing March 31, owner Bob LeRose (above) announced today. The building at 36-42 Main St. was sold for $9.2 million in November 2014 by longtime owner Drew Friedman, who originally opened Onion Alley in the Bobby Q space. “While I’m sad that this chapter of my restaurant career is coming to an end, I’ll have some exciting news coming soon on my next chapter,” LeRose said. Matthew Mandell, executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, said he hears Bobby Q’s will move to West Avenue in Norwalk. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Comings & Goings: Parker Mansion Opening Soon

Parker Mansion, described as an “American casual” restaurant and bar, will open this month at 541 Riverside Ave. in space previously occupied by the Mansion Clam House, according to owner Patrick Fahy (above). The space, which has undergone a major makeover inside and out, now includes seating on the second floor indoor and deck and will offer patio seating in warmer temperatures. “Our menu has a wide range, serving everything from hamburger to filet mignon,” Fahy said. He added that the restaurant owns nine boat slips along the Saugatuck River so sailors can pull right up to the property. He owns two other restaurants, Parker Steaks & Scotch in Trumbull, and Parker Eatery & Bar. Mansion Clam House closed in October 2014 (see WestportNow Oct. 12, 2014) after being there since 1958, according to its website. The property, which includes the adjoining Julian’s Brick Oven Pizza, changed hands in April 2014 for $2.1 million. The listing said the building was built in 1900. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Expanding: Bar de Beaute Now Salon de Beaute

Salon de Beaute, formerly Bar de Beaute, 24 Taylor Place, is relaunching its business with expansion to a full service hair salon in addition to its ongoing clinical skin care services, according to owner Judith Connors. Bar de Beaute opened in July 2014 (see Westportnow July 24, 2014) in the space formerly occupied by Jacadi Children’s apparel and its successor Chic Jolie, women’s apparel. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Comings & Goings: Thai Restaurant Opens

Jeera, Little Thai Kitchen, has opened at 165 Post Road East, next door to Trattoria Finalmente. Owner Jeeranunn Atiportunyapong (l), who goes by the nickname Luna, said the restaurant specializes in central Thailand cuisine and is open for lunch, dinner, takeout, and catering. In addition, the restaurant has a BYOB policy. Atiportunyapong said for the past five years she has also owned a Thai takeout-only food service at 216 Crown St. New Haven. With her is family member and business associate Ae Thananont. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com