The retail history of Westport is littered with ghosts.
From banks to restaurants, record stores to grocery stores, once-thriving businesses are today only memories.
That’s the way the world works, of course. Westport is no different.
For every Gold’s and Mitchells — businesses nearing their 70th anniversaries — there are scores more that lasted 7 years.
Or 7 months.
Several years ago, Erin Regan made a list of places in Westport that no longer exist.
Some were well-remembered. Others were vague. A few were obscure.
This list is spectacularly incomplete. There are many blanks.
It is also by no means exhaustive. Thousands more places could be added.
And it does not include spaces that have been demolished or substantially altered (for example, Gene Hallowell’s gas station on Main Street which is now Vineyard Vines, or DeRosa’s restaurant and Riverside Barber, which are now a kayak rental and the recently closed Saugatuck Sweets).
But for a walk down memory lane, on a mid-winter day, it will do. (NOTE: The current tenant is listed in parentheses.)
Arnie Place — now Ulta — remains a Westport legend, 40 years later.
Arcudi’s, Chef’s Table (Aux Delices)
Arnie’s Place, Anthropologie (Ulta)
Arrow #1, Chinese Takeout (Lomito)
Arrow #2, Jasmine, Blu Parrot, Mystic Market (empty)
Barker’s, King’s, Ames (Super Stop & Shop)
Barnes & Noble #1 Pier 1 (BevMax)
Baskin-Robbins (AT&T Store)
Beefsteak Charlie’s, Mongolian BBQ (Shake Shack)
Cedar Brook (Patio.com)
The Cedar Brook Cafe — at one time the oldest continually operating gay bar in the country — was a few yards away from both a strip club and the state police barracks.
Chef’s Table, Wild Pear, Java (Mrs. London’s)
Charpentier’s Butcher Shop, Tacos or What? (Border Grille)
Colgan’s, Thompson’s Pharmacy, Ships, Eddie Bauer (Tiffany)
Connecticut State Police barracks (Walgreens)
Dairy Queen, Swanky Frank’s, Woody’s (Little Barn)
Franklin Simon, Carousel, Sam Goody’s #2 ([solidcore])
Hay Day (Maserati of Westport)
Fine Arts I & II Theaters, Restoration Hardware (Barnes & Noble)
Fine Arts III, Matsu Sushi (Basso)
The Fine Arts Theater was a longtime Post Road mainstay.
Fuddrucker’s, Leong’s Palace (Westport National Bank)
Genovese Pharmacy (Marshall’s Shoe Store)
Grand Union, Shaw’s (Fresh Market)
Häagen-Dasz (Finalmente)
Herman’s (Trader Joe’s)
IHOP, Westport Pancake House, Thaeroa Nail Spa (now empty)
Klein’s, Banana Republic (Oka)
Krazy Vin’s, Starbucks (Earth Animal)
Manero’s, John Harvard, Conte’s (Rizzuto’s)
Players Tavern, The Dressing Room, Positano (Gabriele’s Steakhouse)
The Dressing Room, next to the Westport Country Playhouse, was owned by 2 celebrities: Michel Nischan, and the even better known Paul Newman.
Post Cinema, Zany Brainy, Pompanoosuc Mills (Bassett Furniture)
Remarkable Book Shop, Talbots, Local to Market (next: Eleish Van Breems Home)
Rocco’s (Tengda)
Sam Goody’s #1, Alphagraphics, Pierre Deux, Qdoba (Salsa Fresca)
Vigilant Fire House, DeRosa’s Brick Oven Pizza, Neat (Oko)
Schaefer’s Sporting Goods (Dovecote, now closed)
Waldbaum’s, Barnes & Noble (the probably-never-opening Amazon Fresh)
Westport Bank & Trust (the recently departed Patagonia)
Westport Public Library (Domain, HSBC, Guess, Pop’TART, Freshii (Starbucks and Bond Vet)
Ye Olde Bridge Grille (Mar Silver).
Click “Comments” for additions, corrections, and — of course — memories.
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A few decades later, Susan Malloy created this “Main Street 1960” map for the Westport Historical Society.
Ship’s Corner is missing. LeChambord too. Also an excellent bistro, think it was called Bon Appetit near what was once Westport Art Collective.
Selective Eye, Dorain’s Drug Store, Klein’s, the Ice Cream Parlor, Paul Zabin’s, the Linen Closet, Isabel Eland’s, the Clam Box, Toro Lumber, the Big Top, Brooks Hirsh, Fur Fin and Feathers, Schaefer’s Sporting Goods, Westfair Market —- so many great memories of each place.
Torno Lumber… I remember a Diane Torno, possibly a 1965 Staples graduate. Places like this flourished before the Home Depots of the world.
Diane was Mr. Torno’s son. His wife was a 2nd grade teacher at Burr Farms Elementary School. Earlier, Mr. Torno had taught industrial arts at Staples.
I had an after-school job at Torno Lumber, 1970-72. I stocked the shelves, made lots of coffee, and vacuumed the store every night. It was a fun place to work.
Dan, Maybe there was a teacher named Mrs Torno, but I’m sure there was a Diane Torno who was my age. Anyone else remember her? She was very pretty!
As I said, Diane was Mr. Torno’s son.
Sorry, just noticed Ship’s buried in the text.
A few places I remember…Country Gal, Sweet Pea, Record and Tape, Gristedes (on Main Street), Sport Mart, Tanno (shoe store), Everything Personalized, Exit 18
THE CREST a Downshifters HQ
ARBY’s (Savvy Smoker)
Innovation Luggage
Bobby Q’s (Mexicue)
Arby’s is not Savvy Smoker. It started as Carrol’s, then became Burger King. It’s now the Starbucks drive-thru. And Bobby Q’s is on the list, with Onion Alley.
The Peppermill Restaurant,,,also once a Greyhound stop over
I can picture the inside of the Greyhound Bus Station and the covered entrance. Near there was Elwoods Diner. Walt Elwood was the owner and I remember he used to wheeze because he was gassed during World War I. Best pancakes ever in the 1950s.
Between the bus station and Peppermill, it was a Bonanza Steak Pit. I saw Dan Blocker (“Hoss”) when he made a personal appearance there.
Hartmann’s Hardware
Borchettas , the Stage Door Restaurant, Horosky’s Garage, all in the same area on the Post Rd. París Liquor Store across from what’s now Regent’s Condominiums. Does anyone remember a dilapidated red building sort of across the street from Regents? It was sold about 50 years ago. Back around 1951, about 6 Puerto Ricans used to bunk down in the building for six months a year. My grandfather owned the building and he’d bring over Puerto Ricans to work on the farm. (Zoning? What zoning?) it was called the Antique Shop, but all I remember is farm hands living in there. If you lived in Westport in 1974, you’d remember the dilapidated red building.
Long ago trader Joes was first National, a grocery store. At some point they had a fire,and I remember the butter tasting like smoke!
Toys r us, child’s world (Michaels)
Bombay bar and grill, Mumbai times, pottery barn
Ollie Einstein (father of Laura (‘70) and Linda (‘71) ran a bakery under what is now Nomad
Here are a few:
Chez Pierre, chubby lane, pane vino, ships, Allen’s, Mario’s, Elvira, ski mart, ships, westport pizza, Arby’s. I’ll stop at 10
you hit all of the ones I was going to add
I used to pull skeet for Pierre at the Westin Gun Club, nice guy.
Love and Serve Restaurant
The Westnor Restaurant
Docs where kneads/match lobster is currently. Best coffee and baked goods
Came here to mention Doc’s!
I still miss Doc’s
Backiel’s Roadside Stand on the corner of South Maple Ave and the Post Rd. John, or Pat Grant as I knew him by, pointed out, or reminded me , on one of Dan’s posts, that there were gas pumps there too. It was gone by 1956 and a used car dealership took over.
The car dealership used to offer cars for 99 cents. You had to sit in the car all day and anyone could offer a higher bid. But they did actually sell some for 99 cents.
Bill’s Smoke Shop, Westport Lanes, Child Workd – and the pet store in the same plaza, Dress Barn, Dunville’s, Merritt Superette, Coutras’ doughnut shop
Ah, thought of another. Mechanics & Farmers Bank on Main Street where Chase is. M&F was the only bank that would give me a mortgage as a divorced woman with a young child. People’s turned me down (yet they offered my ex a 1/2% under the going rate if he bought another home). My mortgage was at 8.5%!
My mom got a loan from them for her ’86 Saab 9000 – didn’t know exactly where they were located. Apparently she was very happy with them.
Did I miss Tacos or What?
Yes
Okay… Country Tiles run by Tom and Kita Milan where Nomade’s annex is.
Barkers was where Michaels and Home Goods
are now, not Stop n Shop, also it was
Dombroski’s garage Jack and no one mentioned the Red
Galleon became Kowalsky complex, &Carrisge Hill
Restaurant, now Crate & Barrel complex,
ChezPierre, Tavern on Main, now Nomad ,
Marvels Bakery, Dovecote, Maxs Art Supply,
Betty Bosworth,then Virginia Allen, original
Ice Cream Parlor under Chez Pierre
Mary Ann.. YES.. Chance Dembrowski! I have a picture of him somewhere with his greasy overalls! He was good friends with my father. WOW.. did you shake my memory up with that one! Do you remember the red building, the Antique Store? Remember my grandfather’s driveway came right down to the Post Road. Between Old Rd and the Post Rd it may have been considered a “private road”
Sorry, Mary Ann, Barker’s was DEFINITELY where Stop & Shop is now.
I remember when it was an empty field with nothing on it.
I remember that being the case as well. Remember buying 45 records there–Peppermint Twist comes go mind. It was on the Roulette label which was mob controlled, as was the Peppermint Lounge.
Pearl’s and then Da Pietro’s on Riverside. Westport Tackle Shop first on the east side of Riverside near the Post Rd, and then across the street where it was replaced by an over-priced antique shop. Lili’s at the Saugatuck Train Station (she is missed). Minute Man Cleaners in Saugatuck. Pin Money Shop across the street (where Tutti’s is now), Peter’s Bridge Market, the Jockey Club in Saugatuck, The Mansion Clam House, Cafe de la Plage, Manero’s, Paul Zabin’s for back to school clothes (hated going there), Oscar’s, Westport Pizza, Rocco’s on Post Rd. East (the lobster Diana was phenomenal), Il Villagio on Elm Street, the Red Barn, Food fair in Compo Acres Shopping Center, Dorain’s Drug Store on Main Street, Westport Bank & Trust, Fine Arts Cinema (remember the Saturday afternoon kid’s show’s?). And of course, the Ice Cream parlor – first in Compo Acres, then on the Post Road.
Paula Pastorelli, owner of Pearls, an amazing woman who graduated from Staples in 1965.
Desi Corner by the train station?
Baer’s Corner Store long before Ed Desmond took over. (son Ed Baer was a NY WMCA radio personality)..
This has been fun. And what about: Serendipity, Greens Farms Bookstore, Pancho Villas, Party Barn, the Chinese restaurant on Parker Harding Plaza, Westport Smoke Shop, Else & Jerry’s became Karen & Frank’s (beauty parlors), Aspasia (not sure I have the name right-a jewelry store on Main St that wrapped in silver pouches), Friendlys, all the places in the building (Bogey’s)across the street from the Merritt Superette (is that still there?) beside Coffe ‘’N Donuts (that’s been there a long time!) Western Auto, IHop, the Soda Shop.
West Lake is the name of the former Chinese restaurant downtown.
Thompson’s Pharmacy, and my favorite store , Andrews.
Parfumerie Douglas currently Blue Mercury on the West side of Main St
Great list Dan.
Tavern on Main now Nomad previously Chez Pierre
Mrs London was previously also Aux Delices
Change of Seasons restaurant, Onion Alley, Henry Lehr, Premier Market, The African Room, Plumed Serpent, World of Cheese, Party Barn, Grass Roots, the waterbed store on the Post Rd near Playhouse Square, Family Album antique store in Playhouse Square, Grubbs, Greenbergs
Sally’s Place
Onion Alley
Both on Main St.
McClellan’s (CVS)
Food Fair – Compo Shopping Center – I think it’s a toy store
Golden House (Little Kitchen)
The Textile Store (near Gold’s)
Silvers (Trader Joe’s)
You started a nostalgia train here, Dan!
We could all go on and on, I’m sure.
Great memories. Where McDonald’s now is was once Big Top which had the most incredible grilled burgers. When we first moved to Westport in 1974, Peter’s Bridge Market was an institution where now the Japanese Restaurant Kawa No now stands. Where Dunkin Doughnuts sells coffee and dounuts stood Jerry’s Hardware, a great institution before the likes of Hime Depot. “ Somewhere out there in the dust that same small town in each of us.” Don Henly
Thanks for mentioning Jerry’s Hardware in Bridge Square. My dad and Uncle Jerry owned and operated the store from the early 60’s through the early 80’s. It was sold to a couple of brothers who renamed it and ran it as a hardware store for a few more years. I think there was something else there before Dunkin took over the space. Also on Riverside Ave was Franny’s and The Jockey Club. There was a pharmacy too, then Gault’s had offices there and I don’t know what happened after they moved out.
Remember Jerry’s well… Doc’s Coffee took over from a previous coffee place, then moved across Riverside to a disused gas station.
Vigilant Firehouse was from Dec 24, 1984 until April 1989 The Westport Emergency Men’s Shelter.
I think Trader Joe’s used to be a Finast Market.
Calico was State Cleaners and I think at some point a Safeway, not sure about that.
The Library’s bookstore used to be a Chinese restaurant.
The Gillespie Center used to be the Town Garage.
The Bacharach Community was the enlisted family housing for the never completed Missile Base where the Middle School and Staples are. In that capacity it was the inspiration for the book, movie (starring Paul Newman) and musical Rally Round the Flag Boys.
Thanks, Pete. Great info. But the “never completed Missile Base” where Bedford Middle School is now was definitely completed — . The launch site was where Aspetuck Health District (and the Westport Astronomical Society observatory — a relic of those Nike missile site days) are now.
Blockbuster, Panda Pavilion, Kidswear, Eddie Bauer, Men’s Warehouse, Munsons Chocolate, Torno Hardware, Great Cakes, Brandman’s Paint store, Olympia Sports, Radio Shack, Derma Clinic. All gone.
Radio Shack made me think of Egghead Software!
My brother worked at Egghead. For a nerdy Westport kid in 1990, Egghead was a destination.
Derma clinic, where the post office is now located.
And before that: Friendly’s. There was also a Friendly’s, then a Farm Shop, on the Southport line.
Michael’s was an Ames when I moved here, at the other end ……was it a James Way?? Also in that mall was a sports bar, the name escapes me, but they had killer loaded nachos. Or do I just remember it that way because I was pregnant, lol.
Master’s Cafe. But I’m pretty sure Ames was where Stop & Shop is now (Barker’s, King’s).
Dan– I remember an old story where you received a piece of mail, addressed to “Dan Woog, Condo’s Behind Friendly’s….”
I don’t see McClellans, Oscar’s (original location and follow up locations all within a few feet of one another), Dorian’s Drug Store or Sally’s Place n the lists. sorry if I missed.
Before it was Hay Day it was a car wash. And Manero’s was at one point 540
YMCA to Anthropologie
Did anyone mention Cafe Christina? It was in the old library.
So many great memories here. Thanks to all for sharing. I don’t think I saw the Galleria restaurant, though. It was also a Sizzler and a few other places before becoming Sakura. Also, Carriage House restaurant (Crate and Barrel). And Westbank Market (Black Bear Wines, etc.) and across the street there was a diner, right? And an Esso gas station?
Westnor Diner. (Name comes from a combination of Westport and Norwalk).
Just thought of Carousel House of Toys which burned down in the 70s, also in the same Sherwood Square was The Paint Bucket and The Pickle Barrel.
Carousel burned twice. The first time was when it was in Compo Acres Shopping Center, next to Franklin Simon (now [solidcore]).
I’m pretty sure Hay Day was actually where Balducci’s is now? Unless there was another location first, I’m a relative newcomer (18 years 🙂
Hay Day had two locations. The first was where the Maserati dealer is now.
Arnie’s International Deli…
ok I need to step away from this Westport Retail Days of Yore game lol
yes that’s true
Was just telling a friend about the long lines at Soups On in the ’80s – not a more cozy lunch spot on Main Street in the Winter!
Soups!!
Great list, I think Mrs Londons also was SONO Bakery and Aus Delices before Java?
Pal Joey’s, where planet pizza is now – used to go when I was a kid and remember the boomerang pattern on the counter. They’d been there since the 50’s, but the owners finally retired. Was there so often, they always knew my order! Post Corner Pizza, now a bank I believe, and I Can’t Believe it’s Yogurt, which was in the building next to Tiffany’s (and kind of near Ben and Jerry’s). Used to go with my dad on the weekends and remember their extensive selection of toppings. Also Beacon Electronics, in the little yellow building near UPS, one of a handful of places that would still work on tube electronics in the 90’s, and the wonderful camera store in Sconset Square! Also remember going to Ames on one of the last days they were in business – where stop and shop is now.
Wasn’t Pal Joey’s the last location on the left? If memory serves (could be wrong here) Verizon is where Pal Joey’s was. Westport Pizza was Westport Record and Tape. No?
The Jockey Club (Danville’s) Westport HISTORICAL Society(Whaterer itt is now) Pack Roads(?) Franklin Simon’s (many record stores and banks)
By the way Finast Food aka first National did not burn just all the stores between Finast and Franklin Simon’s both ends of Compo Acres had hefty fire walls. Peoples Savings, The Carosel Toy Store, Red Grams Travel, Izzo’s Hardware’s North Main Garage
Pack Roads leased space to the first (?) Martha Stewart catering venture.
M & M Shoe Repair on Riverside near where Junior’s is now. American Hand on the Post Road near where Tiffany’s is now.
There was a frozen yogurt place on the corner of Taylor Place and the Post Road. It became Soliel Toile before becoming whatever that space is now after Soleil Toile moved a few doors down.
There was a Western Auto on the Post Road, but I don’t remember exactly where or what’s there now.
5 Guys has the site of the old Western Auto
i remember Western Auto having pinups from Playboy in it.
Backstage. A dance club near the Playhouse
So far I don’t think anyone has mentioned Breslow’s. This was one of the most versatile stores in Westport and was next to the Fine Arts Theater to the west. Breslow’s was a news stand, a magazine store, they sold candy and food to take into the movie theater, they had a soda fountain and past that they were a stationery store. All the way in back they sold art materials. Every Westport artist came to Breslows. The store was run by two families. Irvin Breslow was one of the sons and a classmate and friend of mine thru Bedford Junior High and Staples.
Ricos Hair Salon, County Federal Bank, Westport School of Music. I know Carroll’s was already mentioned. Their French fries were the best. Never had any like them again.
Where Shake Shack is now, was once a Thai restaurant (great food, don’t recall the name) that morphed into a Vietnamese restaurant (Pho Mekong, I think, great food, same owner).
J.McLaughlin was briefly, after HayDay, where Maserati is now.
I think the restaurant that preceded Basso & also Matsu Sushi was at one point Sol e Luna. Also where Dunkin is now was originally (at some point post-1984) a wonderful coffee shop called JoBa. Peter’s Market had a door directly into the space. Best. coffee. ever.
1980, Shake Shack was The Ground Round. No?
The old Western Auto is now Five Guys.
And I think that between the tenancies of the Big Top and McDonalds, that corner was occupied by Wendy’s.
Roy Rogers
Thanks for remembering my list, Dan! My family moved to Weston in 1985 so I have a such nostalgia for the old days. Westport was like bright lights big city compared to the deep woods of Weston. I think we’ve said goodbye to a few more beloved places since I sent you the list but hopefully some new ones are here to stay. I found an old Hay Day cookbook from the 90’s that my parents saved and cracked that open this summer if anyone remembers a favorite recipe and wants me to look it up, a lot of their recipes are in there….
I had a couple flashbacks – Video Connection where Mrs London’s and Aux Delices used to be, TCBY, Laura Ashley with the strong flowery smell inside, Britches – home of the rugby shirts and I’m pretty sure nothing else, Clementine’s, The Tack Room, Max’s Art Supplies, Allen’s Clam House, Sweezey’s Jewelers, and Connolly’s Restaurant where Mexica is.
And I just found this previous 06880 post from 2009 with the names of a ton of restaurants we lost over the years too : (
https://06880danwoog.com/2009/08/22/you-must-remember-these/
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
M&M shoe repair was originally at Sconset Square
Has anyone mentioned Camera Arts?
Dear Readers,
2 places I can not remember the names:
1. fine craft shop/gallery in shop to the left of Tiffany’s from around 2000
2. first of its kind outdoor store that sold Teva’s, jackets etc near where Aca Joe was on Main St (near liquor store that is gone)? from the early 90’s
DeRosa’s Italian Restaurant
Junior Chin’s Chinese takeout across from S&S where the young husband and wife’s children were always there doing their homework.
The tiny Westport Shoe Repair shop on Railroad Place with the tall African American shoemaker.
And next door, arguably the greatest of them all: Mario’s!
bring back Country Gal, Selective Eye, Western Bootery, Barney’s, Benetton, Sweet Pea, Party Barn, and Artafax !
🙂
Steele’s Automotive is now Carvana’s Westport depot. Mrs. Steele was a gem. They repaired my ’86 Mercury Cougar more than once.
On Main Street, Aspasia (or something like that) tiny jewelry store, and there also was a perfume shop close by. Also in that immediate area was Silver Ribbon. American Hand gallery on PRE opposite old Post Office; Colonial Drug, PRE same shopping center as Fresh Market;
Farther East on PRE, Fish and Chips restaurant and George’s shoe repair next door to each other.
Next to The Tack Room downtown was an Army/Navy surplus store as I recall.
This is wonderful. Thanks all for your contributions. Did anyone mention the Liverpool Shop on Main Street? I bought my hip-hugger bell bottoms jeans there. Nextdoor they sold turqouise Native American jewelry, can’t remember the name (not sure it was same store as Aspasia, but maybe.)
Tanglewood (Clam Box) , Record Hunter (near Remarkable) , the Rage in the old Ice Cream Parlor, Bill’s Smoke Shop, Liverpool, Atticus Books, the Dress Box, Melody House, Gristedes, Lloyd Lumber, the Crest, Cherry Webb and Tourraine, Erie Imports, Chubby Lanes next to the demolished Westport Inn( Former New Englander)
Max’s art supply, Soups On, Le Chambord, Tavern on The Main, Pancho Villas…
Greenbergs, Susan Terry, Peck and Peck, Trudy Gary, Brooks Hirsch, Separate Shop, Young Sophisticates, Lennettes, Paul Zabin, Leatherguild, Muriels Luncheonette
J Crew on Main Street
That gallery between Tiffany and Max’s was Gallery something-or-other. Don’t remember the name but do remember the gallery.
What now is Carvana was for many years the Saab dealership.
On Avery Place, directly around the corner from Sally’s Place, was Camille’s hair salon. When Camille’s closed, Marisa (who had worked at Camille’s) opened a salon above Oscar’s.
I think Phil may still have his salon on the second story on PRE, above the gallery.
There was a tiny (at most, three people could be inside) jewelry store facing Main Street at that end of the long entrance to Onion Alley. I don’t remember the name of that store but they made very interesting things.
Remember the French bistro in Sconset Square, facing Post Road?
Simon Pearce on Main Street.
C’est Gold.
Lest we forget MURIELS DINER.
YUMM!
My family owned a family clothing store on Post Road East called Connecticut Yankee in the late 50s. It’s now ASF Sports.
I arrived in the 60s and fell in love with Westport.
What a wonderful read. Thank you Dan.
this list is getting unmanageable so I’m not sure if these have been mentioned… Carousel toy store in Sconset Square. there used to be a place that sold large stuffed Sharpei dogs for reclining next door to the frontier building on Myrtle- can’t remember the name, and there was a restaurant where William Pitt realty is.
The 1960 map includes a small photo of the Remarkable Bookstore but also notes that “the Mill End Shops” were situated at that location. When did the Remarkable start?
From ALL the above comments, and my own 1952-1999 memories, I’m thinking The Town would be So Really Both Solid & CHIC — more Real Westport — if any number of the original venues were still there – especially on Main street, such as Klein’s & Remarkable, and yes, I remember the BEFORES of a number of these venues.
And the town can’t support a REAL pancake place? Gotta get Elmer’s to Go East.
Why the Remarkable was never brought back I still find astonishing. If something similar were to open it would be wildly successful. Am I wrong?
Let’s not forget WMMM radio on Main Street and the Westport News which operated out of the “Brooks Corner” plaza across the street. Bill’s Smoke Shop moved to that same location for a spell.
Maurice and George Hair Salon next to Franklin Simon that was there from early 1950 until early 1990.
Morris’s Luncheonette close to to Franklin Simon and the old Grand Union.
Ann’s Suburban, Artifacts, Buffalo, Chez Pierre, Cinna, Crazy Vin’s, Commuter Coffee, Damien’s, Danish Hearth, Damien’s, Enterprise Car Rental, Greening’s, La Crepe, L’Arbolet, La Normandy. Mario’s, Oliver’s, Polo, Sally’s, Serendipity, Silver Ribbon, Soup”s On, Main & Saugatuck USPO Tack Room, The Nine’s, Town & Country
Gloria. Ann used to sit at the bar and the men at the bar would buy her drinks. Of course she owned the place, so she didn’t need anyone to buy her anything.
Artists Pub!!! PRW, Westfair Market (then Food For Thought before it moved to Westport Ave in Norwalk), Hit or Miss, Safari, Nabens, Dress Barn, Wild Oats (before it became Whole Foods),
Exit 18 Fashions on PRE and Klaffs Lighting
Wow! Late to the game but does anyone remember A & P? On sight of Westport Fire Department
I do not believe anyone has yet mentioned the Tin Whistle Cafe which later became the Red Rock Cafe, both bars with live music on the weekends in the 1980’s and then that space became the Mumbai Times, an Indian Restaurant. They were all located at the far end of the shopping center across from Fresh Market and next to Ed Mitchel’s. That end of the shopping center recently was demolished and a new Pottery Barn store was built in that spot.
Departed supermarkets A&P(2 locations), First National & Food Fair (also 2 locations in the Compo Shopping Center, the original becoming McLellan’s . I don’t think Westport ever had a Woolworth’s, but there was a Ben Franklin’s downtown.
someone needs to build an interactive web map where you can go back decade by decade. any takers? I might be willing to fund it.
Selective Eye on Main St.
Klein’s – had to rush in the day that the Monkees albums were released – to be the first to purchase them.
Chez Pierre restaurant- our french teacher bought our ninth grade class for dinner there-he bought a bottle of wine-first time most of us had alcohol as we were all under aged at the time.
My father bought a bottom down shirt at a store owned by two guys from England. They sold mostly British items – can’t remember the name of the store.- but the shirt drew attention when he wore it as it looked like a cut up American flag.
I don’t think anyone mentioned Laura Ashley. I bought my wedding gown there, along with a number of other dresses.
And let’s not forget two wonderful “Country” restaurants – The Three Bears and The Red Barn. Although a couple of miles north of the Town center, they were charming, and I loved dining in both.
There was also Cobbs Mill, though I think that was in Weston.
Did anyone mention Pal Joey’s? I was very young so I don’t know exactly what is there now, but it was in the CVS plaza. I loved getting vanilla shakes and buttered bagels at the counter with my dad on weekend mornings.
Sue Riley – the shop with those two guys from England was “the Liverpool Shop.” The two guys were Hank and Jeff. I was in between Welch’s Hardware and Westlake.
Did anyone mention Barney’s?
A few I don’t see. Bonwit Teller, Cristada, Westport Pizzeria, and Chez Pierre, to name just a few.
This has been fun! I could mention another 50 stores that existed before most of the writers here. But to be of any interest some information helps. Here’s just one: The Educational Toy Shop. I was taken there when I was about 5. The store was on Church Lane and you had to walk down 2 or 3 stone steps to get in. The store featured toys that were supposed to make a kid smarter or maybe just better toys. All I remember was the stone steps – which may still be there. And maybe improved and safer.
Wow! What a trip down Memory Lane *this* was. In my case a long and tangled lane: I left Westport 65 years ago. I think one commentator mentioned the Clam Box (replaced by, IIRC, Bertucci’s, and I don’t know what happened after that), where I worked summers to get myself through college (you could do that in those days). It’s amazing to me what a transient existence was experienced by so many institutions that I thought would be there forever. Thanks, Dan, and commentators.
Allen’s Clam House. What a wonderful place.
Big Top. Frankly, the one thing I truly miss.
And Hackett’s Auto Parts across from the Bridge Grille
Pack Roads.Keenan Russell and Moore. Paint Bucket
Love the memories the posts are bringing back. I’ll add a few more: Clementines, Peking Inn, Francois DuPont Jewelers, and i Santi. When the building that now has the Gap was first built, I don’t remember any anchor tenants, but there was a very groovy candle shop. There was a head shop between Jesup Green and the Post Road where Tiffany’s is now located. I used to get iron-on t-shirts; I was too young to understand what else was being sold!🤣
Above one of the stores on the YMCA side of Main Street, Louis Engle had a shop selling historic coins along with associated albums and proof sets. I don’t recall if he also felt in stamps.
My memory is playing tricks on me as I remember Ben Franklin being on the other side of Main Street.
In 2003, on a Mississippi River cruise on the Delta Queen, we stopped at Red Wing MN which had a Ben Franklins. It seemed like I was in a time warp (appropriate for traveling on paddle-wheel steamboat) as the store carried music in the form of 45 rpm records and 8-track tapes at a time when CDs were on the way out. They were all country music.
Klaff’s.
The Limited, on Main Street.
What about Savarese (spelling?) Sunoco which was located where Wells Fargo Bank is now? Or Compo Acres Pharmacy which was where Winged Monkey is today.
How about The Country’s Best Yogurt and I can’t believe it’s yogurt on Taylor Place and Bay Street and latter Willows Pediatrics on Bay Street.
i have the original robocop pinball machine from arnies place still
Carvana was Dragone’s was Saab was the Small Car Company, which sold VW Beetles, etc. for years.
Barry’s shoe store and Compo Barber Shop (both in Compo Shopping Center). Also Asian Experience (Shake Shack). Miniature golf course (Regents) Bowling Alley (BevMax) and another miniature golf course (Landsdowne)
I believe these have not yet been mentioned:
Winslows where jazz prevailed
Subway
Jersey Mike’s
Golden Pizza
Splash at Longshore
Blue Lemon
Glynns
Now CVS used to be a 5 and 10. When CVS replaced it, several of the women who worked at the previous store were behund tte counters at CVS.
And there was a little CVS in the middle of the west side of Main Street.
And Party Barn, first on Main Street then in the Post Office shopping area.
There was a Bob’s Fish Store that sold pet fish and aquariums on Maple Avenue and the Post Road (aka State Street). we got guppies and goldfish from them, and a beta fish which was supposed to eat the guppies to keep them under control, but they killed the bet fish.
Gristedes supermarket, where the zombie
Amazon-Fresh-whatever is now.
The Amazon grocery story was Waldbaum’s. Gristede’s was on Main Street.
How about Lums? Thank you for the picture of the Fine Arts Theater.
Players Tavern.
Functional Clothing was down the steps next to Sweezey Jewelers and was the best place for jeans and everything funky
I think Fuddrucker’s became Blockbuster
If I’m not mistaken, Blockbuster was further east on the Post Rd (I think it’s Maple Ave). Not sure what it is now, but after Blockbuster it became a Big and Tall Shop.
Not sure if it has been mentioned, but there used to be a video store on Main St – currently The Washing Well – or there abouts.
(still going!). Fine Arts Stationery was aptly named, selling art materials and stationery next to the Fine Arts Theatre. They succeeded Breslow’s which I mentioned much earlier in this list.
My mothers favorite was Charles Meat Market with a tree in the middle of the shop. They were in an extension of what were in the ’40’s & ’50’s the “original” Main Street shops. The original shops housed West Lake, Dorains, Gristede’s, Greenbergs with Klein’s across the street. Later came my personal favorite, Oscars (sigh) up near Westport Hardware. I believe the original Ice Cream Parlor was also further up Main Strret. Then came the Weston Shopping Center……and consequently, 2acre zoning. Wow, a blast from my past. You really triggered my aging memories. Oh! Charles Meat Market was the subject of a charming Saturday Evening Post cover by Steven Dohanos.
I didn’t read through all the comments yet but does anyone remember the bowling alley and golf range that became V’s restaurant and Munsons chocolate and Pier One at one point. 1460 Post Road East? Across from the old Chinese place that never carded.
This is amazing! Thanks Dan for doing this. Great trip down memory (or lack there of) lane!
I remember at least 10 more businesses just in Saughtuck
And lastly does anyone remember Fanny Goodwins the womens clothing store across from the old library or The Dress Box on Main Street.
Blurred memories from a while back……my first store in Westport was Coastal Creek Leather Shoppe it was up over a real estate business at the corner of Myrtle Ave & Post Road. My second shop was Mad John’s on Taylor Place. The last place I rented before I left for California was the warehouse/studio/workshop below the plumbing and air conditioning company that backed up to Nash’s Pond. It would be come Jones and Irelands new home after they moved from the little stone building on the Post Rd. I was sitting in my shop “Mad John’s” on Taylor Place when a friend said something doesn’t look right….across the street was Muriel’s Diner we were looking at the whole interior of Muriel’s Diner was on fire……we called the fire department….minutes later the entire block was full of smoke…I ran around the back to see Ralph Preston’s brother (?) throwing their inventory out the back door of “The Leather Guild ”into the parking lot….friends who lived above “Klaff’s Lighting” were jumping out the second floor windows…. I don’t remember Muriel reopening but Ralph eventually relocated in Colonial Green, Then there was The Taylor Place taxi stand, a hair dresser, my shop (Mad John’s the old pet store), an antique store Wendy Newton’s World Affairs Center and around the corner Fine Arts 3. There was Sharon’s shop “Cabbages and Kings” next to Sarah Kennedy’s “The Cellar Workshop” on Myrtle Ave. Avery Business Services and a swim shop were on Church Lane. Gib Singleton’s Art and Sculpture Gallery below Swanson’s Jewelry I think became a vintage clothing store owned by a charming woman from England, Joan Vogel’s “Crystal Palace” was on the third floor above a jewelry store where I think Barnham Travel was once located. There was Hank and Jeff’s “Liverpool Clothing Store” that I think became an fine art gallery that lasted only one year, I moved back to the east coast Norwalk/Westport in the summer of 1994 and shortly afterwards started another business “Marshall Boatworks” in Norwalk and eventually moved into Gault’s old rebar storage/shop below DeRose’s Restaurant. Gault was moving into the old Doldge Chemical Company building. It was during this time I was doing business with Jeff Northrop’s Westport Outfitters which would eventually become Doc’s Café. Between the driveway into my shop area and the large diesel oil storage tank was a small store front that I think was once Gault’s office which became as I remember a frame shop which eventually grew into the storefront on the other side of the driveway. This reminds me of the old Gary’s Frame Shop. What went in when he moved? Other misc. business’s come to mind. Acorn Drugs, Rachna of India, Goodwill Industries, the original Mansion Clam House, Boccanfuso’s Garage in Saugatuck, Hyatt Auto Parts, Jones and Ireland Lawn Mower, Sloan’s Furniture, Bob’s Equipment Service, David Newton’s Wicker and Wood, The Pottery Corner, Leonard’s Eco Farm, Pymander Book Store, all of these swirl around in my mind……Harco Plumbing and Air Conditioning is now Nice Threads, the Great Outdoor Toy Company is now in my old workshop/studio, Mikes Furniture is now in what was once my back room….Marty’s Sign Shop was next door….the old stone scale house at the base of Nash’s pond housed Sound Island Lobster Company….
I was reminiscing about Gene Hallowell’s Main St gas station during the holidays. He always had a long table laid with cheese and crackers, cookies, other goodies as well as wine. I never failed to go in and enjoy the holiday treat while strolling down Main St.
The Stage Door Restaurant and the Westport Batting Cages behind it. Mike Backiel and Jim Backiel, my cousins, ran it.
We moved to Westport in the late summer of 1968; lived at the New Englander for 6 weeks until we moved into our home on Long Lots Road. I still remember Chubby Lanes as the BEST hamburger. Ever!
WE would walk down the post road toward Southport and Fairfield, past the homes in trailers, to Westfair Plaza. I believe that it was called Westfair as a combination of Westport and Fairfield. (Across from Barkers and Stop and Shop and People’s Bank (I think)).
I ended up working at Westfair Supermarket (NOT really a supermarket) owned by Nick Passanante. Bill Shaner worked there too as did Chris Larson’s older brother. Every Saturday morning just before 8 am a Cadillac Saville would pull up and Harry Reasoner would do the weekly grocery shopping.
Included in the plaza was a barber shop, a clothing store, and – in back – the craftsman/wood carvings shop that Long Lots Woodworking teacher John Day operated. There was also Westfair Pharmacy – the old kind of place with a lunch/milkshake counter. I think Yogi Dysert worked there in the mid-late ’70s. That ‘plaza’ was a littel world unto itself.
Westport was a great place to live and grow up in.
Thank you Dan
I can’t remember the name of the bar, but at 1:00 pm every Sunday ( next to the Community Theater) Harry and his wife would sit at the bar and drink. He chain smoker Pall Mall cigarettes and I remember his fingers were all twisted from arthritis. He was a regular guy.He lived in the house that Elizabeth Taylor lived in in 1958.
I started visiting Westport in the late 80s, moved here in 1996. Among others, I miss Winslow’s (in the Compo Acres plaza) and especially Glynn’s (now a real-estate office).
And Hartman’s Hardware became Lowe’s General Hardware (The Store With The Potbelly Stove in The Window). Owned by Tony Lowe who also served on the RTM as Town Moderator for many years!!