By James Lomuscio

Built in 1835 as a residence for Westport slaughterhouse workers, the preserved structure at 15 Powers Court will soon house a behavior therapy group, principals of SIR Development LLC have announced.

Robert Haroun (l) and Kevin Holtzman outside 15 Powers Court adjacent to the Westport Country Playhouse (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Dialectical & Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center has leased the building’s 2,500 square feet, as it plans to relocate from its 29 Imperial Ave. location.

“We are looking forward to moving into our new, custom-built offices in a central location,” Kevin Holtzman, a psychologist and founder of the therapy group, said about the move.

The building is located near the Westport Country Playhouse at 25 Powers Court. All of the property was originally part of a slaughterhouse used for a New York City leather manufacturer in the hat trade, according to the Westport Historical Society (WHS).

A wine bar, Luxe Modern Wine & Cocktails, opens at 190 Main St., across from TD BankNorth, on Saturday, according to owner Robert Reilly of Redding. He said that the café will carry 40 wines that can be purchased by the glass, seven or eight seasonal cocktails, and a selection of 15 cheeses and cured meats. In addition to a bar, tended by the owner’s nephew Will Secchi (photo) of Fairfield, there are indoor tables with plans for outdoor tables next spring, he said. Reilly, a former IT director at Fresh Direct in New York, said the hours this opening weekend are Saturday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.  The new cafe is located in the space formerly occupied by Fay Kim Designs that relocated to the nearby space that formerly housed Coco Michelle which closed in August 2010 and relocated to Railroad Place. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Whelk, the newest addition to the burgeoning restaurant scene in Westport’s Saugatuck section, opens the weekend of Jan. 27, according to co-owner Massimo Tullio (r). His partner is Bill Taibe, owner of the popular LeFarm Restaurant in Colonial Square. Tullio, who describes the restaurant fare as “sophisticated casual dining,” said it will offer seafood selections with “smaller plates than LeFarm portions and have the feel of southern France.”  He said the 1,200 square feet restaurant (not including its 600-square foot kitchen) will accept reservations for its bench tables along the window side next to Riverside Avenue.  “We differ from LeFarm in that we specialize in seafood and have a bar,” he said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com