On the eve of the Super Bowl, alert “06880″ reader Kelly Crisp snapped this photo of a sign at Stop & Shop:
She notes: “Unfortunately, it seems the manager is a Giants fan — while at least some of his customers like the Pats.”
Enjoy the game. May the best team Patriots win!
Posted in Local business, Sports, Totally random
After more than a century as a restaurant — and with parts of the building dating back over 200 years, to its days as a stagecoach stop — the former 3 Bears will turn into a Chabad Lubavitch synagogue.
Or not.
A January 23 Norwalk Hour story said that the 9,180-square foot property, on 2.73 acres at the corner of Wilton Road and Newtown Turnpike, was “poised to change hands and become the new home of Chabad Lubavitch of Westport.”
The Three Bears was a famed restaurant/inn — with 6 fireplaces — from 1900 until February 2009. It reopened for about 5 seconds as Tiburon restaurant, but the property was soon abandoned. Weeds sprouted on the once-stately site.
The Three Bears, after abandonment.
According to the Hour, John Zervos of DVB Commercial Realty said that Chabad — an Orthodox sect based in Brooklyn, and by some estimates the largest Jewish organization in the world — was “not planning on changing the outside, and the inside works really well for them with the big open spaces of the dining rooms.”
The Hour paraphrased Zervos as saying that while the group had already moved their offices into the new space, they had not yet applied for permits with town officials “to use the space as a religious institution in order to officially close the deal.” (They appear to be leasing, not buying, the building.)
The Three Bears, in its heyday. (Postcard/Cardcow.com)
The story noted that Westport’s Planning and Zoning Department received a complaint on January 4 from a neighbor “regarding activity taking place at the former restaurant.” A January 11 inspection revealed work being done on the premises without permits.
A letter sent January 13 cited violations of zoning regulations, said P&Z director Laurence Bradley. Chabad’s attorney requested a 30-day abeyance for more time to submit paperwork. It was granted, giving the group until February 23 to file its application.
Bradley noted, “they have been working and doing things without a permit. It’s been a restaurant since probably before there was zoning, so if they want it to become a synagogue, they will have to go through an extensive review and public hearings.”
Chabad attorney Ken Gruder told the Hour that the space will be used for an outreach group that includes prayer services, educational programs and religious discussions.
“It’s not a synagogue in the traditional sense, it’s so much more,” Gruder added.
But the story does not end there, with applications simply pending.
Yesterday afternoon, I received an email from a longtime Westporter. Attached was a letter the resident sent a day earlier to Bradley.
The interior of the Three Bears, also from its glory days. (Postcard/Cardcow.com)
It said: “Without proper permits for use of the premises as an office or house of worship, the group appears to already be working in the building, often at night, although the nature of their activities are unclear.” Apparently, there are 6 to 10 cars there each night.
The resident added that an “extremely bright outdoor security light in the parking area” was infringing on neighbors.
The writer expressed concern about traffic, parking and wetland impacts, and noted that the building — currently enjoying a “pre-existing approval for non-conforming use as a restaurant in a residential area” — would need a new P&Z approval process for any change of use.
One more concern: exterior alterations to historic building.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-94), famed Chabad leader.
In the email to me, the resident added more information: Several years ago Chabad was embroiled in a lawsuit in Litchfield, over proposed renovations that would turn a Victorian house in the town’s 1st synagogue. At one point, according to the Register-Citizen newspaper, Chabad filed suit against the town in federal court, alleging anti-Hasidic prejudice.
Right now, Chabad occupies a house on Kings Highway North that faces the medical complex.
Will they apply for permits by February 23? Will there be hearings — and if so, how contentious will they be?
Will Chabad move a mile or so up Wilton Road? Will the site of what was once Westport’s oldest restaurant become our town’s newest synagogue-or-something-like-it?
And why — despite a story last month in a Norwalk paper — is no one talking about this in Westport?
Most of the time, the Planning and Zoning Commission deals with big issues: the heights of buildings. Setbacks. Wetlands. Those are important, very visible tasks; it’s not easy balancing the economic interests of landowners with the quality-of- life interests of residents (who may or may not be the same people).
Some times though, the P&Z deals with lesser issues that — in the end — are just as important.
Like signs.
Right now, elected officials are discussing regulations regarding free-standing business signs. You know — the ones advertising Michele’s pie tastings, or 20% off a pedicure in honor of Martin Luther King Day. (I’m making that up. I think).
Signs like these may be legalized -- though in smaller, more "homemade" form -- by the P&Z.
Rules — they must be small, hand-written on erasable boards or chalkboards, placed in an unobstructing spot or hung on the building, stuff like that — go into effect February 17.
For Saugatuck and the downtown area only.
Talks are underway to extend the regulations to the entire commercial district of Westport — up and down the Post Road.
Right now, those signs are illegal. The P&Z wants to bring order to the process — allowing merchants to advertise in a friendly, local way, without letting large, garish signs sprout willy-nilly.
But what about businesses outside the zone? Christie’s needs signs to draw attention to its Sunday farmers’ market. Daybreak Nursery announces items like firewood and holiday wreaths that way. Positano could highlight daily specials.
And what about Wakeman Town Farm, which could use signs to publicize upcoming workshops and its Community Supported Agriculture program?
What, then, about lawyers, chiropractors, marketing consultants — anyone who operates a home business outside of current business zones? Could they set up small, hand-written, free-standing signs too?
Right now the P&Z has no formal requests from any of those businesses. If there are, they will be addressed.
Signs are not a big deal like office buildings or movie theaters. But we do notice them; they do affect our quality of life. Just think of all the political signs we see for months leading up to elections, or the ones announcing upcoming concerts, road races and charity events that cover the little gardens at road intersections.
“06880″ invites comments on this sign issue. Please be civil — and try to stay on topic.
Over the past few weeks, pedestrians have been hit crossing the Post Road near Shake Shack and in front of Playhouse Square.
A body was discovered on the I-95 Exit 18 entrance ramp.
And every day, it seems, there are automobile accidents everywhere in town.
This morning around 10:30, a westbound driver on the Post Road near Patagonia suddenly veered across the street, slamming into a car parked in front of Restoration Hardware.
In the words of Sgt. Phil Esterhaus: “Be careful out there.”
Posted in Downtown, Local business, Police
Tagged Patagonia, Post Road, Restoration Hardware
A whelk is an edible sea snail.
“The Whelk” is the name of the newest restaurant in town. Located across from the old Doc’s on Riverside Avenue, it’s the latest addition to the funky mix of Italian, Mexican, seafood, steak and Mario Batali-type places that are fast making Saugatuck an actual lively place to be.
The owner’s name — Bill Taibe — is familiar. He also owns leFarm, the highly acclaimed Colonial Green restaurant offering fantastic local produce, fish and meats.
Bill Taibe serves up his octopus, squid and fries in beef gravy dish.
His newest venture is similar — much of the food is locally sourced — but very different. The Whelk’s menu spotlights oysters, clams and shrimp.
There’s smoked fish pate, salmon jerky and lobster rolls, along with chilled seafood salads, a tuna burger and blackened fish sandwiches. I recommend the spectacular (and innovative) octopus, squid and fries in beef gravy.
Meat (for dishes like the lamb burger) comes from just across the plaza — the mouth-watering Craft Butchery — while general manager Massimo Tulio (you know him from Fat Cat Pie and Fountainhead) has designed an extensive list of hand-crafted wines. “All the growers have their hands in making it,” he says proudly. “There’s nothing with chemicals.”
Like the rest of the Saugatuck development, The Whelk is light and airy. There’s a long white marble bar, a couple of large communal tables, then plenty of window tables. There will be outside dining too (whenever).
Last night, the place was filled for a private party. Bill plans a soft opening next week. It should fill quickly, as many new restaurants do.
A whelk
But The Whelk will have staying power. And when spring and summer finally arrive, it and the entire Saugatuck neighborhood — including a new Asian cuisine and sushi bistro around the corner in the former Peter’s Bridge Market — will be rockin’.
They’ll do it 2012-style. But in many other ways, Saugatuck will be just as alive as it was 50 or 100 years ago.
Posted in Local business, People, Restaurants, Saugatuck
Tagged Bill Taibe, Fat Cat Pie, LeFarm, Massimo Tulio, Saugatuck, The Whelk
Scavenger hunts are cool.
Also, according to a Westport student-parent initiative, it’s “kool” to be kind.
This week, a “Kool To Be Kind Scavenger Hunt” gives parents and children a chance to have fun, learn about Westport and kindness, and bond in the process.
Kool To Be Kind — a year-old project initiated by mothers/professionals Cindy Eigen, Lynne Goldstein, Sarah Green and Melissa Shein — promotes kindness and compassion at an early age by training high school students to act as mentors and role models to elementary schoolers.
It’s being piloted in all 3rd grade classes at Long Lots and Coleytown Elementary Schools. Staples students — trained by K2BK — lead interactive lessons promoting kindness, empathy and the creation of anti-bullying allies.
The children just finished the 2nd of 5 lessons. Now they’re “hunting for kindness.”
Part of a K2BK poster.
They and their high school mentors created posters, which have been posted in 40 stores throughout Westport. A scavenger hunt for the posters starts tomorrow (Monday, January 16), and runs through Sunday (January 22).
Some do more than simply display the posters. For example, Crumbs is creating a K2BK cupcake. Earth Animal made a K2BKanine cookie. Lululemon has designed a K2BK yoga class.
The plan is for parents to help their kids use scavenger hunt cards to find the posters –and then discuss what they’ve found. If a poster says “Ally Power Rules,” a parent might initiate a discussion of the word “ally.” Hopefully, that will reinforce ideas the youngsters got from their K2BK lessons in school.
Once a child locates a poster, he or she will be given a sticker by a store employee. The class that gets the most stickers will earn a prize.
Long Lots 3rd graders (from left) Chelsea Strober, Rachel Varsano, Josh Leon, Jake Motyl and Justin Honig find a K2BK poster.
Nearly 4 dozen Staples students interviewed for spots as K2BK mentors. They thought they’d be teaching children, but they’ve also learned a lot themselves.
“They see their high school world through different lenses now. They seem changed in the process,” the K2BK founders say.
The scavenger hunt may also spread awareness throughout the community. Customers will see the posters hanging in windows or on walls. Owners will hand out K2BK fliers to anyone who asks about them.
“It’s simple,” the K2BK leaders say. “Being empathetic, nice and inclusive is what high school kids think is Kool. Being the opposite is not.
“If 3rd graders get the message, spread it to the rest of their school, and bring it home to their siblings and parents and then out to the community, we are doing our little bit to stop bullying and promote ‘ally power.’”
The founders have one other hope: that the scavenger hunt “will encourage everyone in the community to commit random acts of kindness, and pay it forward as much as possible.”
Posted in Children, Local business, Organizations, People
Tagged Crumbs Bakery, Earth Animal, Kool2B, Lululemon
Pymander — “the oldest new-age store in Connecticut” — is closing January 22.
The shop — which sells books, CDs, stones “and other gifts for those interested in spirituality, recovery, alternative health, meditation, energy work, Reiki, Feng Shui, yoga and other body work” — started out 39 years ago in Westport, in the days when that kind of store easily found a home here.
Eventually it migrated to the Westport/Norwalk line, near John’s Best. A few years ago it moved to Norwalk’s Wall Street.
For now, everything is 40% off.
Soon, Pymander will just be the answer to a trivia question: “What was the name of that new age place near downtown…?”
Posted in Local business
Jimmy Belta — one of Westport’s last remaining farmers — died Saturday. He was 88.
Since 1945, Jimmy raised poultry, eggs, vegetables, plants and flowers on Bayberry Lane.
Lloyd Allen — owner of the Double L Farm Stand — remembers his friend:
Jimmy Belta
Jimmy was a friend of mine. I’ll miss him and the flowers and vegetables that he grew. I’ll miss the stories he told. He always had a story to tell that had a lesson tied to it. He’d often often yell, “I’m not telling you what to do, I’m just trying to teach you something.”
He lived off the land. His hands were leathered and worn. He loved working from dawn to dusk. He grew and packed some of the nicest vegetables in the region. His tomatoes couldn’t be beat. He loved growing basil most of all and his garlic bulbs were huge. He picked his yellow squash small and they gleamed in the sunlight.
He had 1 phone line. It rang up at the house and out in the greenhouse. His wife would pick up the phone and always say, “Call back, maybe he’ll pick up.”
The Belta family will receive visitors today (Thursday, January 12) from 4-8 p.m. at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Ave., Norwalk. A funeral service is set for 10 a.m. tomorrow (Friday, January 13), 10 a.m. at St. Luke Church.
Jimmy Belta's sunflowers.
Pretty soon, Purple Feet will stumble west.
The wine and spirits store is leaving its longtime location near Barnes & Noble for a spot in Playhouse Square: next to Massage Envy, just down from the new post office.
So, after a stressful wait in line for stamps, you can relax with a massage. Followed by a fine bottle of wine.
In other booze news, WestportNow.com reports that after nearly 44 years on Main Street, the Liquor Locker is leaving Main Street for a spot near Gold’s.
The rent for roughly the same space — 1100 square feet — will be cut by about half.
Plus, the parking is better. (Provided you can get in and out of Compo Shopping Center safely.)
We’ll drink to that.
“06880″ has been buzzing recently with news and comments about a variety of Westport connections in books, movies, plays and TV shows.
A Westport Historical Society exhibit opening January 29 looks at Our Town in TV and films in the 1950s, through the eyes of writers who lived and worked here.
Now comes this, from alert “06880″ reader Larry Perlstein:
This may be common knowledge, but I just noticed that on the inside cover of Richard Scarry’s “What Do People Do All Day?” is a picture of downtown “Busytown.” There in all its glory is the Remarkable Bookshop — with “E. Kramer, Prop.”
The Remarkable Bookshop -- "E. Kramer, Prop." -- is in the lower right corner.
If you’ve just fallen off a turnip truck — or moved to Westport yesterday, or never read “06880″ before — you should know that the Remarkable Book Shop was for decades a downtown icon . It was in pink building on the corner of Main Street and Parker Harding Plaza (today it’s Talbots).
(Today it’s also become a flashpoint for “06880″ commenters. Some lament its demise, calling it a symbol of the loss of mom-and-pop shops. Others say, “Get over it. That’s the way the world works.”)
Oh, yeah: Remarkable was owned by “E. Kramer.” (The name of the store is a play on Esther’s last name, spelled backwards.)
Larry asks: “Is this well known? Does anyone know the connection between Scarry and Westport? I can’t find anything on the Wiki.”
I can’t answer that. But I’m sure “06880″‘s remarkable readers can.
Posted in Arts, Local business, Looking back, People
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