By Dave Matlow
Restoration Hardware has abandoned its plan to expand its Post Road East presence next door to Westport’s Old Town Hall to sell outdoor furniture, according to owner Rob Haroun.
Weather concerns caused Restoration Hardware to abandon plans for an outdoor furniture store in Westport’s Old Town Hall next door to its current Post Road East location. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“They just couldn’t get their arms around the outdoor furniture concept and the use of the outside display area,” he said of the California-based specialty retailer which has occupied the old Fine Arts Theatre property at 76 Post Road East since 1999.
Haroun, a Westport-based developer who purchased the 1908-built stone structure at 90 Post Road East in March 2010 for $2.35 million (See WestportNow March 31, 2010), said Restoration Hardware management was concerned, among other things, with the impact of the weather.
He said while Restoration had positive experiences in warmer climates such as California, where it initiated the outdoor furniture concept, the company in the end decided Connecticut’s changeable weather might not be suitable.
Consultant Mel Barr had gone before the Historic District Commission in February to outline Restoration Hardware’s plans for the Old Town Hall. (See WestportNow Feb. 8, 2011).
He said plans included an outdoor display area in the front of the property with two water fountains as well as a fenced-in seating area for visitors.
The application also involved new signage, window treatments and mechanical vents.
What about the Post Office taking up residence at Old Town Hall?
Doesn’t Restoration Hardware know it will probably warm up around here…sometime before Labor Day.
(At least I hope so.)
This was going to be my comment. Now it is a “second”. (Re Post Office)