The other day, “06880” noted some changes on the west side of the Saugatuck River.
Saugatuck River Caffe has replaced Winfield Street Deli. Stephen Kempson is expanding into the former Age of Reason.
And AIG is renovating National Hall, for corporate offices.
The building that began as a 19th-century bank, newspaper office, town meeting hall, and the first site of Staples High School, was most recently the site of several restaurants (The Meatball Shop, The ‘Port, Zanghi …).
It was also a boutique hotel — the Inn at National Hall — developed by tour company owner Arthur Tauck.
But that almost did not happen.
When Tauck bought the building, it had served for decades as the Fairfield Furniture store.
All along, bird droppings accumulated on the roof. It was almost enough to cause irreversible structural damage.
But Tauck persevered. The building was saved. Today, it is one of the most iconic sights in town.
Hard to believe that for years, this was the view we saw:
(Photo courtesy of Christopher Maroc/Facebook)
(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
When Tauck bought this building the Westport Emergency Shelter was located in the Vigilant Firehouse, 6 Wilton Road. It opened there on Christmas Eve, 1984. The hotel needed the parking spaces around the firehouse. Fortunately the Town Plan talked about the need to preserve and Emergency Shelter. The renovation of the building to become the Inn led to the shelter moving to 45 Jesup Road. The Gillespie Center continues to exist and fulfill its mission at 45 Jesup Road.
the destruction of the Inn at National Hall was a terrible thing. It was a treasure. A real shame that the Westport market at the time couldn’t support such an amazing hotel offering.
I agree John! That neighborhood peaked when there was the Inn at National Hall and the pizza place in the old firehouse.
As I recall, my husband said that building had been The Embalmers’ Supply Co., maybe in the mid nineteen fifties? He said he and his friends found items that had been thrown in the river… Here’s part of a box that he saved./Users/susanceastman/Desktop/Embalmers’ Supply.JPG
National Hall was not the Embalmers Supply Company.
The Embalmers Supply Company was on Wilton Rd on the site (or same building) used by the Save the Children Foundation.
AIG was the recipient of one of the greatest bailouts in USA history
the insurance giant gambled on collatetalized debt obligations and lost. AIG received 85 billion from USA government
The restaurant Miramar was there in the 90s, well known chef Paul English from Boston. It was fabulous food and beautiful decor!
Walking by the Furniture Store downtown from BJHS in the early 60’s, nearly every day, I don’t ever remember seeing the store open? Looking at the photo, dang it was ugly too. But old Westport wasn’t out to impress everyone then.
I remember shopping with my parents several times at this furniture store in the 60s. I thought it was a very exciting place. Furniture groupings to hide in, imagine and play with my sister. Then there was a furniture store on Main Street by Kleins? We also shopped there as I remember. Possibly my memory fails me about the Main Street store but I don’t think so. I loved downtown Westport in those days.