By James Lomuscio

While many Westporters had their eyes on Little League baseball Thursday night, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) gave its final approval to the Bedford Square project, a massive Church Lane development set to redefine the downtown.

The new Bedford Square includes retail, residential, and an underground parking garage. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The approval came after more than seven years of David Waldman, a principal of Bedford Square Associates, going before more than a half-dozen boards and commissions to develop the Westport Weston Family Y building into 594,454 cubic feet of retail, restaurant and residential space.

It will be spread across four new buildings, all in the English Tudor style of the Y’s historic Bedford Building, which will be part of the complex.

“The process required by the town of all developers, in our instance, at the end of the day resulted in a better project, and we’re very pleased,” Waldman said today.

By Dave Matlow

After eight months, the South American/Asian cuisine restaurant Café Moja at 12 Wilton Road has closed.

Cafe Moja has closed after eight months, citing construction that turned away customers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“It was not worth staying open for another year while construction all around us makes it unsightly for customers,” said Rick Demers, executive chef, as he stacked chairs today from the restaurant.

“We only have one window left that faces the water. The rest is blocked by construction. We got through the winter in good shape, but construction did us in during the spring and summer.” 

Demers also pointed to a sign in the parking lot owned by his landlord that restricts restaurant parking hours to 6 p.m. to closing. “Since that sign went up, our lunch business, which was 24 percent of the total, dropped to 8 percent,” he said.

L’Occitane, 47 Main St., the beauty products chain, will close on Sept. 30 and relocate next door to 45 Main St., the location vacated by Claire’s. Matt Knox, the general contractor’s site supervisor for the renovation, said that a French perfumerie will open at L’Occitane’s vacated premises. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Blow Dry Westport has opened at 76 Church Lane, across the street from Christ & Holy Trinity Church.  According to owner September Sirico, “located on historic Church Lane, Blow Dry Westport is front and center in the push to revitalize the Bedford Square section of downtown Westport.”  Sirico, the daughter of Tony and Kathryn Sirico, owners of Greg and Tony on Post Road West, opened Blow Dry Southport in May 2012. Summer hours are Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com