Java Coffee and Café will open next week at Westport’s downtown 44 Church Lane, just up the street from Spotted Horse, according to founder and co-owner Todd Rippo. An Idaho resident, he said he is in partnership with Westporters David Waldman and Brad Berk. A native of San Diego, he said he owns five other Java’s in Idaho since opening his first one in Sun Valley in 1991. Rippo describes the new cafe as “a coffee house boutique alternative to the big box coffee.”  “We’re not a greasy spoon,” he said. The cafe, which employs 14, will serve a full breakfast and lunches and will offer salads, sandwiches, soups, hummus and more, Rippo said. ”And we’ve got beer, wine and Bloody Mary’s too.” Hours are Monday-Friday 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Posing in front of the former Wild Pear location are (l-r) Charles Taylor, manager of Java Cafe in Boise; Breanna Brandon, manager; co-owner Todd Rippo, and staff members Kristen Miniar, and Jamie Peppard. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Organic Modernism furniture and accessories has opened at 151-153 Post Road East in Westport. Store manager Nick Bicer describes its offerings as “Scandinavian-influenced but different from furniture anywhere else—we design and produce it.” Laura Leeds of Simon David Real Estate said The Tack Room was located at 153 Post Road East for more than 35 years, and the space at 151 Post Road East was formerly Amy Coe before it was replaced by Mixology. The 153 Post Road East section was vacant for more than three years and was completely renovated by Organic Modernism, which knocked the interior walls down to create an open showroom space, Leeds said. “The transformation of the store alone is really incredibly well done,” she said. “I lease many stores around Fairfield County, but this is the best transformation of a space I have seen so far.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening today of Bassett Furniture, 1100 Post Road East. The $300 million NASDAQ-listed company employs 15 in the Westport store, one of 91 Bassett stores in the United States. Among those on hand for the ceremony were Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe and Lisa Parrelli Gray, executive director, Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Organic Modernism, a New York-based modern furniture store that designs and manufactures “industrial era modernized furniture,” opens on Saturday at 153 Post Road East, according to New York-based Ati Gunay, general manager. He said the Westport store is its 10th location and its first in Connecticut. He said the business, started in 1991 by its founder and owner Karzona Cinar a resident of Hong Kong, plans to expand to Stamford or Greenwich in the future. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The coffee, bakery and sandwich shop Steam opened today at the refurbished stationhouse on the eastbound side of Metro-North’s Westport station in Saugatuck. Co-owners Briana Pennell (l) and Chris Barrett, who opened their first Steam facility at the Green’s Farms station in July 2013 (see WestportNow July 26, 2013) were awarded the right to use both sites in a Town of Westport competitive bid process. Norwalk resident Pennell, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, is a pastry chef. Barrett, a Stamford resident, has a background in the restaurant business. The shop will be open 5 a.m.- 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, and closed Sunday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Friday at noon. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com