The Tactivate Outpost, a popup emergency preparedness store, has opened at 29 Church Lane, near Williams-Sonoma. According to owners, sister-brother twins, Sefra and Jesse Levin, the business showcases the best gear for disaster readiness preparedness. Jesse said the remote EMT kits “allow a resident to have dependable stop gap preparedness tools until first responders appear at the disaster scene.” Sefra, a 2003 graduate of Greens Farms Academy, who said she has extensive experience in food security, and her brother Jesse, a 2003 graduate of Staples High School, conduct individual and group training sessions on site in the evenings. Jesse added, “We’re in the awareness stage, an initial step in building a continuity in the community between first responders and local residents.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Parker Pizza has opened at 539 Riverside Ave. next door to its sister eatery Parker Mansion, 541 Riverside Ave, According to manager Kevin Conte, “We look at Parker Pizza as our sixth location in the group of Parker restaurants.” They are in Shelton, Trumbull, and Westport. “Westport has very few eating places that are open late at night,” he said. “We plan to remain open until at least 11 p.m. every night, seven days a week.”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The owners of the house at 17 Edgewater Hillside, off Hillspoint Road in the Compo Beach section, are the newest recipients of an historical plaque by the Westport Museum for History and Culture, formerly the Westport Historical Society. House historian and plaque coordinator, Bob Weingarten (shown presenting plaque to owners Ariel and Jonathan Dunne) identifies the house as the Lyndon House c. 1928.  According to Weingarten, the plaque honors the heritage of this house which was built in 1928 by Barbour Lyndon after purchasing the property from W. Sterling Atwater. The house was later sold by the Lyndon family in 1946. Current owners, Ariel and Jonathon Dunne, purchased the house one year ago, having relocated from New York. Jonathan said, “We visited friends who live in Southport and fell in love with the area, particularly Westport. When we saw this house was available we felt it was perfect for us.” To celebrate the commemorative plaque and its presentation the Dunne’s were joined by a few friends who are pictured. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Bluepoint Wellness, 1460 Post Road East, Westport’s first medical marijuana retail shop, will have a “soft opening” soon, according to real estate sources. Finishing touches to the interior are in process, according to site supervisor Jeff McNamara of Milford-based Olympus Construction, the general contractor. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Judy Szablak

When it comes to purchasing a home in Westport, many buyers and agents can unfairly judge a home by the year it was built.

Featured Home: This home at 3 Tamarac Road is listed at $1,275,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo courtesy of The Riverside Realty Group.

Many homebuyers are enamored with new or “newer,” homes while some older homes have been remodeled to such an extent that look and feel much newer than their foundation would lead you to believe.

Newer homes do come with advantages, including newer mechanicals, less initial exterior maintenance and repairs, and these components typically last on average about 20-25 years.

Then again, some buyers prefer older homes, which are thought to have much more charm and character than their newer counterparts. Some newer homes also have these features.

Westport real estate price changes over the past week:

5 Nassau Road           $699,000->$648,000
441 Main Street         $675,000->$649,000
10 Cedar Road           $729,000->$699,000
16 North Ridge Road     $959,900->$939,900
15 Turkey Hill Circle $1,349,000->$1,298,000
47 Westfair Drive     $1,645,000->$1,619,000
19 Otter Trail         $2,575,000->$2,275,000