One of the most visible downtown properties will soon have a new look.
Restoration Hardware is closing in April.
Sources say the reason is not poor sales. Rather, the 11,000-square foot spot opposite Anthropologie, a few yards from Main Street, is not in keeping with the current large-format stores (“galleries,” in Restoration-speak) they’ve opened the last few years.
The home furnishings company — I have no idea where “Hardware” comes from — has been on the Post Road for about 20 years. It replaced the Fine Arts I and II movie theaters, which had been there since the early 1900s.
The closure leaves only one Restoration location in Connecticut: Greenwich.
The lines of the old Fine Arts Theater — including the recessed entryway — are still visible at Restoration Hardware.
(Interested in leasing the property? Email david@davidadamrealty.com, or call 203-856-9674.)
OMG—Could the town do something about getting a movie theater back in there?
Two Words FINE ARTS
Sorry to hear about their moving. While I don’t live in CT any longer, I remember the lunch hours from my job at the Library or a need for just a relaxing space to be that I enjoyed just by walking around that store. I did purchase things from time to time, but the displays and beautiful items were a joy to be around. I hope something as wonderful goes into that space.
OK – let’s bring back the movie theater! Even just one screen would be great.
Yes! Bring back the movie theatre.
Would love to see the movies back in Westport!
A movie theater would be nice ! I’m sure our downtown merchants and restaurants would so appreciate the gentrification that would be generated .
That’s funny! I always thought it WAS some kind of hardware store. I was never in the place. And real hardware stores are always the most friendly and interesting stores to be in.
Word is they are opening a store in the new downtown Darien redevelopment project. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they take a space at the new Norwalk mall. Anyway, bring back a movie theater please! Greenwich, New Canaan and Darien all still have a charming movie theater in town. A large comfortable coffee shop wouldn’t be a bad alternative either, it could serve as a community gathering place.
To all who want a movie theater- I agree! Where are we going to get the $$$$? Any ideas?
Video killed the radio star and smart phones killed movie theaters, print newspapers, music on physical media and shopping in stores. And that is why Main Street is a sad reminder of what used be.
Westport blew it when it allowed the cornerstone of downtown, the Y, to leave. As a point of interest, the entire city of Boston is down to 3 movie theaters. Westport used to have 5.
Regardless of whether movie theaters are dying (debatable…theater revenues actually up this year) it’s clear that the neighborhood theater with 1 or even 3 screens is no longer viable.
Why pine for something that’s not going to happen, when there’s a perfectly good — actually luxurious — cinema all of 1.7 miles up the road? If someone can raise money for a classics/art film cinema, great, but that hasn’t happened yet. Not sure if that requires a multi-million dollar building, however, as there are already 3 theaters downtown if you include Town Hall, Playhouse and the new library public space.
Insofar as the “Y” leaving downtown, I felt bad about that too, but the new Mahackeno facility is nice and convenient, and the problems of downtown Westport today are the same as before the Y left — too many luxury chain stores, an absence of neighborhood shops selling the necessities of life, inconvenient parking and an deserted emptiness at night.
Last week’s CT Post story said: “The Westport building is listed for $60 a square foot, equating to $37,500 a month not including utilities and other building expenses.”
That’s a lot of popcorn….
For those interested in the economics of running a non-profit community theater, the Form 990 for the Prospector Theater in Ridgefield might provide a useful source of info.
At least according to their 2017 filing, theater operations appear to run at around a $1.0-1.5 million per year loss with, it appears, a “free” building. Operating deficits are covered by ongoing contributions.
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/461904997/09_2018_prefixes_46-47%2F461904997_201712_990_2018091215679807
Click the “download” link for details.
Initial cost to acquire and build out facility (and presumably start up costs) apparently came from a $7MM donation from the founder.
Actually, looking at the Form 990(s) for the Prospector Foundation that actually owns the building, it looks like the total upfront building/build out cost was more like $23 million.
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/454561656
Sign of the times that Restoration Hardware’s venerable past is forgotten. WOuld probably be a surprise to many that Abercrombie & Fitch used to be outfitter to the likes of Teddy Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, Amelia Erhardt, and Charles Lindberg. But I digress. RH use to supply hardware for, well, restorations. Authentic, high quality hinges, tack hooks, cut nails, mortise sets, entry locksets you name it, largely in 19th century styles but late 18th to early 20th. Victorian, craftsman, deco etc etc. I spent way too much there back in the 70’s and I think they went further back than that. I miss them.
It would be a beautiful restaurant space (or maybe two restaurants). Hardly any in town are in a such a handsome building with this kind of street level visibility. But that is an even tougher way to make a buck than movie theaters.
Hello from the Remarkable Theater group! It warms our hearts to see the support for a movie theater downtown. We continue to look for just the right spot — and we’ll need everyone’s support to get this up and running!
Restoration Hardware used to be a wonderful store for those living in an antique house like ours. However some years ago they branched out in order to expand their market, and became more similar to stores like Pottery Barn and what Pier 1 has become (that’s another story). Not a great loss. I’d love to see a small movie theater again, or some type of community space where people can perform music/poetry/plays and also work on various projects collaboratively… Though those are both unlikely outcomes.
They’re quite different from Pottery Barn… and absolutely nothing like Pier 1. Maybe you’re thinking of Cost Plus World Market?
MOVIE THEATRE (S)!!