Mystic Market — the successor to the Arrow, Jasmine and Blu Parrot restaurants — is “regretfully” closing its Saugatuck location on May 27.
“The rent is 3 times what we pay for our other properties. And lease for the second term is even more,” says David Griswold. He’s senior vice president of The Coastal Gourmet Group, which owns 3 similar properties in eastern Connecticut.
The company is searching for a new location. A property in Wilton did not work out, because it was not zoned for a food establishment.
Mystic Market opened in the winter of 2019 on Charles Street, near I-95 Exit 17 and the Westport train station. It offers a variety of sandwiches, prepared foods, pastries, coffee and more.
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Two weeks ago, Spencer Platt won a Pulitzer Prize for Photography.
Next Wednesday (May 25, 7 p.m., Westport Library), the Staples High School graduate returns to town. He’ll talk about his career, his most recent award (for coverage of the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol), and how and where it all began.
Platt has covered conflicts and news stories in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. In 2006 he won World Press Photo of the Year honors for an image taken during fighting in Lebanon. In 2021 he was a Pulitzer finalist for coverage of the COVID epidemic.
Spencer lives in Brooklyn with his wife — fellow Staples grad Erica Sashin — and daughter,
To register for a seat in the Trefz Forum, click here. For a livestream link, click here.
Spencer Platt at work, in 2006.
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Social studies teachers Drew Coyne and Suzanne Kammerman are 2 of Staples High School’s most celebrated educators.
Her “We the People” team competes regularly at the national level. She has won awards from American Lawyer and Civics First. He is a Connecticut Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year and University of Chicago Outstanding Educator.
But you don’t have to be a teenager to learn from them.
On June 8 (7 p.m., Westport Library), adults can enjoy the same “Community Case Discussion” they’re known for. Coyne and Kammerman will moderate a discussion on the role of the federal government in relation to the states — from the perspective of a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention. (Think: James Madison.)
But you can’t just stroll into class. Participants must click here to register, and receive case study materials from the Library.
The good news: There are no grades.
James Madison
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David McCormick — former CEO of Westport-based Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund — remained locked in a tight race this morning for the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania senator.
With more than 90% of the vote counted, just 2,000 votes separated him from his closest challenger, Dr. Mehmet Oz. McCormick had 31.3% of the vote; the celebrity doctor had 31.1.%. Thousands of mail-in ballots remained to be counted.
McCormick joined Bridgewater in 2009 as president. He was named co-CEO in 2017, and sole CEO 2 years later. He resigned in 2021 to run for retiring senator Pat Toomey’s seat, in his native state.
David McCormick
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“A Taste of Westport” — the bring-your-appetite-all-you-can-eat-and-drink fundraiser for CLASP Homes — has announced the restaurants and vendors for the June 15 event (6 p.m., Inn at Longshore).
The mouth-watering list includes:
- Artisan
- BE Chocolat
- Black Bear Wines & Spirits
- Boathouse Restaurant at Saugatuck Rowing Club
- Cylinder Vodka
- Evarito’s
- Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse
- Gloria Ferrer Sparkling Wine
- La Plage
- Lindsay’s Handmade
- Little Dumpling House
- Little Pub
- Mrs. London’s Artisan Bakery
- NewSylum Brewing Company
- Nordic Fish
- Post Oak Barbecue Company
- Rive Bistro
- Rizzuto’s
- Romanacci
- The Spread
- SoNo 1420
- Tablao
- Tarantion
- Walrus Alley.
Click here for tickets and more information.
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Calling all teenagers!
The “Teens of MoCA” organization invites all of their peers to a free Spring Arts Festival this Sunday (May 22, 4 to 7 p.m., MoCA Westport, 19 Newtown Turnpike).
There’s a food truck (of course), live music by teen bands, and products for sale from local teen-run art businesses. Follow @teensatMoCAWestport to learn more.
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Shopping for nice things may seem to have little connection with human trafficking.
But Westporters Michelle Pollack, Sandra Rose, Becca Zipkin and Alex Cohen have just launched a new organization: Concierge with Conscience.
The inaugural event is June 3 (10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), in Westport. Brand partners include The Westside, Ever After, Freedom Moses, Metta10, LeSuperCool and more. 15% of all proceeds go to Partnership to End Human Trafficking.There’s a raffle too, with 100% of the proceeds going to PEHT.
Click here for more details (including complimentary piercing, with the purchase of an earring). RSVP at info@conciergewithconscience.com. Shoppers will receive an email, with information about the location.
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Lauri Weiser sent today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo with this simple note: “Mother Nature is amazing.” She’s absolutely right!
(Photo/Lauri Weiser)
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And finally … the great opera singer Ezio Pinza was born today in 1892. He died in 1957 — after (among other notable achievements) more than 750 performances of 50 operas, during 22 seasons at the Metropolitan Opera.
Plus this:
The closing of Mystic Market is a giant shame. They were great and a pleasure to work with. A bigger sham is that their landlord could not find a way to keep them at a reasonable price.