Confirming a WestportNow report from last November (See WestportNow Nov. 9, 2018), Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT) announced today that Sundance Holdings Group, LLC, Robert Redford’s retail brand, will open at 69-97 Main St.

The site was previously occupied by Ann Taylor. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The space was formerly occupied by Ann Taylor, which closed in April 2018 after more than a 50-year presence in Westport. According to Westport real estate agent Skip Lane, the space has undergone extensive flood proofing.

An announcement said Sundance has signed a 3,920-square foot long-term lease. Sundance’s adjacent tenant lululemon also recently expanded its Main Street location to 5,645 square feet, it added.

“Sundance selected the best retail location on Westport’s Main Street,” said Thomas P. Durels, executive vice president, real estate, for ESRT.  

Houlihan Lawrence, a luxury real estate brokerage, will open at 50 Charles St. by March, according to an employee.  An affiliate of Home Services of America and headquartered in Rye Brook, New York the company operates in Fairfield County as well as New York’s Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. The space was previously occupied by a TD Bank branch which closed in November 2013. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Romanacci Pizza Bar, 54 Railroad Place, will expand its business in early March into the adjoining space currently occupied by Winfield Espresso & Panini Bar, which will close at the end of February, according to Maurizio Ricci, Romanacci co-owner with his brother Graziano. Ricci said the newly expanded eatery will offer more seating, a broader menu and project a “European feeling.” He said the expanded enterprise will offer coffee for morning commuters and, in the evening, prepackaged fresh takeout dinners including chicken parmesan, lasagna and other popular Italian cuisine specialties. Winfield Espresso & Panini Bar opened in February 2016 in space occupied by Bonjo Coffee. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Earth Animal, the animal health care retail store at 606 Post Road East for the past 20 years, will relocate mid-year to 925 Post Road East, according to a sign in the store’s window. Earth Animal’s new space was formerly occupied by Starbucks, which relocated in November 2016 to 1000 Post Road East, the space formerly occupied by Arby’s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Grapevine, a wine, spirits and beer shop, opens in February at 345 Main St., according to co-owners Seth Hittman (l) and Joe Annunziata, both Westport residents. Annunziata said the new shop will offer alcohol beverages that “range from big box store brands to small production wines.”  Hittman added, “We’ll eventually expand our offerings to different genres of wines.” The 3,000-square foot space was previously occupied by Crossroads Hardware, which closed last summer after 27 years at that location. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com