Earlier today, “06880” reported that the Meatball Shop will open its 8th restaurant this spring in Westport.
The location has just been confirmed. They’ll be serving ‘balls in what was, most recently, The ‘Port. The family-style restaurant closed last June.
National Hall, when The ‘Port restaurant was there … (Photo/Dave Dellinger)
National Hall has seen a lot, since it was built in the early 1800s. It’s housed the Westporter Herald newspaper, Horace Staples’ bank (and, very briefly, the first classes of his high school).
It was the site of the town meeting hall, and — for many years — Fairfield Furniture.
In the early 1990s, Arthur Tauck saved the historic building from the wrecking ball. (After decades of pigeon droppings, the roof was ready to cave in.)
… and back in the day. (Photo/Peter Barlow)
He and his family converted National Hall into an inn and restaurant of the same name. Several other restaurants later occupied that prime ground floor space.
Now it’s ready for its next phase.
Arlo Guthrie once sang, “You can get anything you want, at Alice’s Restaurant.”
You can only get meatballs (of many kinds, for sure) at the Meatball Shop.
But — with Arezzo, OKO and Bartaco all just steps away, and David Waldman’s new project at the old Save the Children headquarters moving quickly along — the west bank of the Saugatuck River just got a little spicier.
National Hall: The view from Post Road West, even further back in the day.
Bring back the lovely Inn at National Hall and make it a boutique hotel again. Meatballs?
And a Ct. State Police barracks as well. I think.
after two posts and constant hat tips, I had to track down the original commercial
https://youtu.be/NQhwNtY3N2k
It also housed Calise,s Package Store and and ironically an earlier rendition of Westport Plumbing!
And both the Women’s Club (“Town Improvement Association”), and the Masons, way back when.
Thank goodness! Prime restaurant real estate on the River should not be sitting empty.
My Sicilian Grandfather made the best meatballs! I will need to taste!
That’s awesome
Meatballs??
2 year, max.
My brother Jim Bradley, as the project manager, was in charge of the renovation for Arthur Tauck. It was a big, complicated job, and their standard was nothing but the best: this building is an icon of Westport.