By Dave Matlow
WishList, the Westport girls’ and women’s apparel store at 606 Post Road East (opposite Fresh Market), has closed after 18 years.
WishList Westport closed along with stores in Greenwich and Darien. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow or WestportNow.com
According to co-owner Susan Zarrilli, a Westport resident, who owned the business with Carla Strobel of Norwalk, WishList stores also closed in Greenwich after 12 years and in Darien after 10 years.
“We served customers from 10 years old to grandmothers,” said Zarrilli. She said the business employed 25, down from 40 employees a few years ago.
“I’m tired,” she said. “After our fire in September (see WestportNow Sept. 19, 2015) causing us to close for six weeks because of smoke damage, I got to thinking more about the importance of my life and came to this conclusion to retire from the business. Our lease is up and this is the time for that decision.”
Zarrilli said WishList has always been a community store . “We valued our customers and our staff ,” she said. “We hired young girls from local high schools including Westport, Wilton, Weston, and Monroe. Most of our employees have been with us for at least 10 to 12 years.”
Tracy Houle, manager of the Westport location said she has worked for WishList for a total of 17 years in all its stores. She said she was notified of the closing about one month ago, adding: “We’re optimistic about other opportunities.”
Zarrilli said there s a rumor that Lester’s clothing store ( http://www.lesters.com ) may open in the 4,000 square feet Westport space.
