Klein’s of Westport, a Main Street landmark for 67 years, announced today it is closing next month.
Klein’s of Westport was a Main Street landmark for 67 years. This is a circa 1960s view. File photo
Klein’s owner Robert Hertzel took out a newspaper ad to announce the move and also issued a statement to the media.
“To everything there is a season,” Hertzel said. “It is now our season to close our business forever.”
For many Westporters, Klein’s disappeared more than five years ago after leasing its first floor space to Banana Republic.
It continued to operate on the building’s upper floors but never regained its former glory as a haven for books, personalized stationery, photographic materials, electronics and gift items.
To Bob and all the other good people who make Klein’s what it is,
We will miss you more than we know—my family and I, and surely many others. You were so central to Main Street in presence and spirit, and your move upstairs didn’t change that, not for me. You always had that “Mom & Pop” feeling. Thank you one and all for everything, and best wishes to you always. Please remember my family and me, for we will remember you and Stanley and Henry and everyone who worked within your doors.
Many Memories – My Mom (Viola Alley) worked at Klein’s for several years, my Mother-in-law (Mary Dennert) for many more, cousin Ginny (Virginia Avery) for even more and I myself delivered packages for Klein’s while a student at Staples (class of 53). My wife(then girlfriend)Mary Anne, dragged me along on baby-sitting jobs for Blanche & Stanley’s daughters Carol & Susan when we were dating. It was a fun place to work and more fun to shop fofr everything from records and books to cameras and archery equipment, What a wonderful piece of Westport history it has become.
A very sad day!. I’ll never forget back in the 60’s while browsing through the shelves of books, I heard two familiar voices a couple of aisles over discussing a particular book. My curiosity got the better of me and nonchalantly moved over to their aisle pretending to look for a certain book. As I thought there stood Jim Mackay(sp?) of ABC Sports and Paul Newman.
You could always find the famous and not so famous, young and old, from all walks of life in Klein’s. They always had something for everybody.
Thank you for all you have done for Westport as it was. You will be truely missed!