UPDATE Hair Genies, a hair lice treatment center, will open Feb. 1 at 748 Post Road East, according to owner Scott Sharkey of Westport. He acquired the the business in 2018 from operators who had stores in Norwalk and Greenwich for the past four years. He said those locations will be consolidated into the new location in Westport. Sharkey, founder of Sharkey’s Franchising Company, also owns Cuts for Kids, 1568 Post Road East, and Hair It is, a family salon business with 60 locations in 25 states and four countries. Sharkey said Cuts for Kids is currently in 25 states as well as England, Canada and Israel. This caption has been updated to correct the number of locations for the company’s businesses. CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Awesome Toys & Gifts has opened at 429 Post Road East in the Compo Shopping Center. The 6,200-square foot store is owned by Nick Tarzia, a Stamford resident, who has operated a toy store at 970 High Ridge Road, Stamford for the past 12 years. According to the stores’ general manager, Flaviana Dos Santos, their goal is to open at 10 locations in the future. The Westport space is adjacent to Cohen Optical and was formerly occupied by NY Sports Club. Awesome is the second toy store to open in downtown Westport this month. Earlier this month, The Toy Post toy store opened at 180 Post Road East. (See WestportNow, Dec. 2, 2018) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

NYC Jewelers, a buy and sell estate jewelry store, is expanding its Westport presence by opening a second store next month at 14 Post Road East in space formerly occupied by Top This frozen yogurt. Owned by Westport resident Morris Afkari, the original NYC Jewelers opened at 748 Post Road East five years ago. According to Afkari, a certified gemologist, the expansion to downtown Westport “will elevate the visibility of the business. We will also perform on-premises repairs at that location.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Music & Arts, a musical instrument and lessons business, has opened at 413 Post Road East at Compo Shopping Center.  It offers private and group lessons, instrument rentals, repairs, and a wide assortment of instruments and accessories. According to store manager Charise Turner, Music & Arts has over 200 retail stores nationwide with a Connecticut presence in Fairfield, Greenwich, Waterford, West Hartford, East Hartford, Glastonbury and Avon. The space was formerly occupied by Brandman’s Paints, which closed in January 2012 followed by Painter’s Supply of Bridgeport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com