Category: Business - Page 97

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Unemployment Drops to 5.1%, But State Loses jobs

By Mark Pazniokas

www.ctmirror.org

Connecticut today posted a contradictory jobs report for the second consecutive month, showing that the unemployment rate dropped a tenth of a point to a post-recession low of 5.1 percent in October, despite the loss of 2,200 jobs.

First, the good news: Unemployment in the state has not been this low since March 2008, the start of the Great Recession that eventually claimed 119,000 jobs. And the state made a net gain of 24,100 nonfarm jobs in the past 12 months.

Now, the bad: Preliminary nonfarm employment estimates for October show a loss of 2,200 jobs. It was the fourth month this year in which a survey of businesses found a net loss of jobs.

“For the second month in a row Connecticut has shown job losses, possibly indicating a softening of the strong growth we have seen through August of this year,” said Andy Condon, director of research at the state Department of Labor. “However, our annual employment growth rate continues at a strong pace.”

Click here for more of story

Tuesday, November 17th, 2015

A Little Exterior Restoring to Restoration Hardware

The outside of Westport’s Restoration Hardware, 76 Post Road East, gets a new coat of paint today just in time for the holiday season. The store opened in 1999 in the former Fine Arts Theatre property, which was built 100 years ago by Norwalk real estate developer Robert Joseloff. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

Thursday, November 12th, 2015

Reviving the Westport-Weston Bar Association

More than 70 Westport and Weston attorneys gathered tonight at the Boathouse Restaurant in Westport at the inaugural cocktail party to kick of the renewal of the Westport-Weston Bar Association. The Westport Bar Association operated for 30 years until 1990. Special guest was retired senior U.S. District Court judge Alan H. Nevas (3rd r) of Westport, who is pictured with steering committee members (l-r) Ken Bernhard, Rita Steinberger, Ira Bloom, Eileen Lavigne Flug, Amy Day and Gail Kelly. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Wednesday, November 11th, 2015

Comings & Goings: Jersey Mike’s Subs Opens

Jersey Mike’s Subs officially opened today at 398 Post Rost Eats in the Compo Acres Shopping Center. (See WestportNow Aug. 21, 2015). Robek Juice formerly occupied the space, between Trader Joe’s and Farrow & Ball. According to Brian O’Hagan, who co-owns the franchise area with Troy Davidson, they will own 15 stores by the end of the year. As a promotion the Westport store offers a free sub to everyone who donates at least one dollar to Special Olympics, an offer good through Sunday.. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Sandwich Wrap Cutting to Open

Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe and Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Matthew Mandell today cut a sandwich wrap ribbon to officially welcome Jersey Mike’s Subs to the Compo Acres Shopping Center in Westport. They were joined by co-owners Brian O’Hagan, (l) and Troy Davidson (r). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.co

Tuesday, November 10th, 2015

Comings & Goings: Crumbs Closes—Again

The open and closed cycle of Crumbs at the corner of Jesup Road and Taylor Place is closed again.The bakery cafe opened in Westport in April 2009 (see WestportNow April 18, 2009), shuttered in July 2014 (see WestportNow, July 8, 2014) and reopened in November 2014 (see WestportNow Nov. 3, 2014). Crumbs retains its other Connecticut location in Greenwich, where an employee there said today he was unaware of the closing of the Westport location. The Crumbs website, which no longer lists a Westport location, shows 14 remaining locations in the District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and California. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Monday, November 9th, 2015

YMCA Buys Red Barn Property for $2.8 Million

UPDATE After months of no comments, the Westport Weston Family YMCA today announced what had been long rumored—it has purchased the Red Barn Restaurant property adjoining its new Camp Mahackeno headquarters.

Bargain hunters lined up outside the shuttered Red Barn restaurant in July as it held a liquidation sale. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

No price was disclosed in an announcement, but a filing with the Town Clerk Office made shortly after the announcement said it was $2.8 million.

The 3.2-acre parcel at 292 Wilton Road, which includes the restaurant building and separate house, was owned by members of the Nistico family, who operated the Red Barn Restaurant from 1983 until July.

The restaurant, which had operated on the site since the late 1930s, closed abruptly in early July and on July 17 began a two-day liquidation sale.

Monday, November 2nd, 2015

Comings & Goings: Pop-Up Cashmere Store Opens

After 14 years of running pop-up stores from coast to coast, Joy Schwartz of Stamford has opened her first retail location in Westport. Offering cashmere ponchos, scarves and a wide assortment of sweaters at prices well below the high-end department stores, The Cashmere Sale is located at 30 Post Road East (corner of Taylor Place and Post Road East,) It will remain open through Dec. 10. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, October 27th, 2015

Going Up

Work on the first floor of the new Bedford Square development in Westport’s center was well under way today. The retail, office, and residential complex is set to open in 2017. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

Saturday, October 17th, 2015

Comings & Goings: Noya Fine Jewelry to 18 Riverside Ave.

Noya Fine Jewelry and Accessories has opened at 18 Riverside Ave., directly across from Arezzo Ristorante. According to owner, Natalie Toraty, a former buyer for 10 years in a new York City diamond district, a grand opening celebration is scheduled for Thursday to Sunday, Oct. 25. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com