White Birch Studio, a fine home design business, opened at 3 Sconset Square near Christ & Holy Trinity Church. The owner, Weston resident Susan Anderson, said a grand opening celebration with live music entertainment open to the public is planned for June 7 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  She said regular business hours are Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The 1,700 square feet shop was formerly occupied by Rockwell Art and Framing which relocated to 236 Post Road East in January 2011. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

TThe trend toward utilization of unoccupied storefront properties continues in Westport with the short-time arrival of Leftover Luxuries at 877 Post Road East, next door to Radio Shack. The pop-up shop, which provides a “gap between auction houses and tag sales,” is open from June 8 to 24.  Hours 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

In the latest spin on downtown pizza, Westport Pizzeria is staying put at 107 Main St., its home since Columbus Day 1968, owner Carmelo Mioli said today.

Mel Mioli chats with an employee at Westport Pizzeria, a Main Street mainstay since 1968. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) James Lomuscio for WestportNow.com

Mioli had originally planned to relocate to 143 Post Road East, occupying the first floor of a building he had purchased as an investment in January. The reason for the move, Mioli said, was exorbitant Main Street rent and the need to be his own landlord.

Mioli’s plan was to have Westport Pizzeria occupy the space used by Joe’s Pizza at 143 Post Road East, the lease for which expires at the end of this month.

But this past week upon returning from Milan where he had visited his son, Francesco, who is studying abroad, Mioli had some good news waiting. Hiis landlord Malkin Properties, which owns the Empire State Building as well as myriad Connecticut holdings, had offered him a new Main Street lease Mioli said was acceptable. His present lease is up in December.

UPDATE The Westport downtown pizza scene is about to undergo a major change. Joe’s Pizza, 143 Post Road East, owned by Wilton resident Joe Canicatti, will relocate in June to 190 Main St. in the Main Street Commons shopping strip, according to manager John Vukel.  He said that Joe’s Pizza has occupied its current location for six years. Its building has been purchased by Mel Mioli, owner of Westport Pizzeria at 107 Main St., one of the street’s icons for the past 43 years, which will relocate there, he said. However, Mioli later said Westport Pizzeria will remain where it is, and he will seek another tenant for 143 Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com