By Dave Matlow
The V Restaurant and Wine Bar, 1460 Post Road East, has closed after 27 years at the same Greens Farms Plaza location.
V Restaurant, 1460 Post Road East, closed Sunday night without notice. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Owners Susan Dederick and William Auer of Fairfield could not agree on new lease terms with landlord Urstadt-Biddle of Greenwich, according to Laura Duffy, bookkeeper of the restaurant for 23 years.
“This is very sad, very, very sad,” she said. “We are like family. Our customers are sad too and many are calling. I’m so upset.”
Duffy said the restaurant opened as Pompano Grill in 1985 and then, after closing for just five days, reopened as V in September 1997.
She said the restaurant has operated without a lease for 18 months and has been on a month-to-month lease since March 31, 2011. “We even planned to remodel once a new lease was signed,” she said.
Duffy said the owners also own other restaurants – -Centro for 23 years and Firehouse Deli in Fairfield, and Centro in Greenwich for 20 years.They also own Capri, a dress shop, near Centro in Fairfield.
Auer and other partners also own three restaurants in new Canaan—Gates (32 years), Tequila Mocking Bird (20 years), and Bistro Bonne Nuit (10 years).
Duffy said that V employs about 40. “We’re trying to offer jobs to as many as we can for our other restaurants, but we won’t be able to offer everyone a job,” she said.
“The first time I came to Pompano Grill was on its opening night 27 years ago. Four years later the owners asked me to become their bookkeeper and I’ve been here since then.”
She said Sunday night was the last day and the restaurant closed down on Monday morning.
Signs on the front window told would-be customers: “To Our Friends & Customers; Thank you for your kind support for the last 27 years. We loved being in Westport. The clientele here couldn’t have been nicer and more appreciative.
“After much consideration, we have decided not to renew our lease and are closing our doors as of June 18th.
“We are very excited about a new project that we are opening in Fairfield, a Beer Garden at the Firehouse Deli, We expect to open after the Fourth of July. Thanks again for all your support. Gift certificates will be honored at Centro in Fairfield and Greenwich.”
Munson’s Chocolates, two doors away in the same shopping complex, closed in April (see WestportNow April 11, 2012) after 20 years at that location.
At the time of the closing, co-owner Karen Munson said, “It’s the end of our lease, it’s been a great run, but we’ve decided to explore other opportunities in other parts of the state.”
I am very, very sad to hear about “V” closing. The restaurant had wonderful food. I dined there a lot with my family and friends and had a wonderful time.
My husband and I have been regular customers of “V” for many years and were very sad to hear that it has closed. The food and service were always excellent. We hope that all the people who worked there will find new jobs very soon. We’ll really miss you!