There is one less Brooks, Torrey & Scott property in town.
And one more owned by Regency Centers.
Compo Shopping Center — anchored by CVS — was sold last week for $45.5 million, by the local family commercial real estate firm, to the Jacksonville, Florida-based company.
Compo was one of the first shopping centers in town (along with Westfair Village near Southport, across from what is now Stop & Shop — also built by the current Brooks principals’ father, B.V. Brooks.
Initial tenants includes McClellan’s 5-and-10 store, Compo Barber Shop, a supermarket and Gold’s delicatessen.
McClellan’s is now CVS. The barber is now Dunkin’ Donuts. The supermarket is Awesome Toys & Gifts.
Gold’s is still there.
Torrey Brooks — a third generation member of the Brooks company — told CT Insider, “basically, my brother and sister pretty much wanted to cash out.”
Compo Shopping Center recently underwent a major exterior renovation. The parking lot remains, however, one of the most difficult to navigate in Westport.
It’s right down there with Compo Acres Shopping Center — the one with Trader Joe’s — across the street.
It too is owned by Regency Centers.
Gold’s Delicatessen — a Compo Shopping Center mainstay for nearly 70 yeas.
A common sight: a wrong-way driver entering Compo Shopping Center.
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Pickleball America — one of the largest such indoor venues in the US — was formerly Saks Fifth Avenue, in the Stamford Town Center.
It’s also the site of art shows.
The latest — “Mothers and Fathers,” featuring members of the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists — includes work from Westport artist Nancy Stember. The show runs through June 28, and is open daily until 10 p.m.
A special Father’s Day reception is set for June 13 (6-8 p.m.).
Stember’s painting — drawn from a family photo taken years ago, with husband Rishon and children Doron, Atara and Joey — is featured on marketing materials for the show.
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Speaking of mothers: “06880” joins Weston’s Jolantha the pig (below) in wishing all moms, in 06880, 06883 and beyond, a happy Mother’s Day.
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Also joining in Mother’s Day wishes (we think): today’s “Westport … Naturally” subject, Tessie, at Compo Beach:
(Photo/Richard Abramowitz)
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And finally …
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As I recall, Gold’s was not one of the original tenants at Compo Shopping Center. It was predated by another delicatessen at the same location with the delightful name “The Lox Box.” However, the Lox box only lasted for a year or two before being bought and renamed by Julius Gold.
The original supermarket in the shopping center was Food Fair. For a while the Ice Cream Parlor occupied the spot at the easternmost end of the center.
It may not be popular, but Golds needs a major renovation. I would never eat anywhere that looks so grubby. My daughter went in there recently & found a rusty screw in her bagel
Exactly as Gold’s should be: a little bit of NYC and not another slice of the suburbs.
the screw in the bagel was likely the everything bagel you requested
May I suggest you go to Gold’s about a half hour before closing. You will see the floors all getting mopped and the counters, slicers and showcases getting cleaned.
Regarding the rusty screw, is it possible it came from the bagel maker? Gold’s doesn’t make there own bagels.
Bottomline is that it would be sad day if they modernized it so it wouldn’t (to use your word) look grubby.
I realize that in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t mean squat, but the sale Compo Shopping Center makes me sad. I felt the same way when the Kowalsky properties along the Post Rd. were sold. Oh well..
I get it Dave! The big change has been happening a slice at a time and to my eyes is moving towards breakneck speed. Not good for our romantic hearts.
I have many fond memories of roaming through the toy section of McClellan’s back in the day. Had many a haircut at Compo Barber shop too.
Love Gold’s Deli. Excellent customer service. We go there every Saturday. Diane is great.
the owners are very nice and fair. I imagine if a poll was taken regarding modernization versus status quo that status quo would win by a lot
I’d vote for status quo.
Another early tenant was Sears. It was a catalog store—you couldn’t buy anything in the store, just order from the catalog. I don’t think it lasted too long.
Lousy landlord- dangerous parking lots, entrances and exits are perfect for even lousier drivers. Getting across the Post Road to either plaza is a game of chicken. I use the back entrances for both of them whenever possible.
I believe McClellans was originally Food Fair. When the shopping center was expanded eastward, Food Fair relocated to the new space and McClellans took its place. It competed with the Ben Franklins downtown–Westport never had a Woolworths
So Many Familiar names, here ..\:-) For most of my childhood, memories of my mom, shopping at Food Fair,McClellan’s,and Gold’s ..:-)
Just my own 2 cents,here-:-) I Also Agree with both Dave Eason & Michael Calise ‘Comments’ here..’yes, in the Grand Scheme of things..’:-)
Congrats to Regency, hopefully they will fix up the place including the parking lots and street access. They did a great job with both sides of the Kowalsky properties. The recent “renovation” on the hodgepodge of storefronts didn’t quite cut it in this retail environment. Hopefully, Regency keeps the mom and pop stores but I am sure they have plans not to renew leases.
The Compo Shopping Center sign should be saved by The Westport Museum for History and Culture if it’s ever taken down.