Carvana — the Arizona based used car dealer selling entirely online — appears to have gone the way of the Edsel.
After 5 years on Post Road West, diagonally across from Kings Highway Elementary School — at a site previously occupied by (among others) a Volkswagen dealership, and classic car showroom — the large lot is empty.
The interior has been stripped of its fixtures.
(Photos/Adrian Little)
Looks like one more niche for Amazon to fill.
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It takes a while to write a great (or even meh) poem.
Fortunately, it does not take long to put up a poetry box.
On Tuesday, at her installation as Westport’s new poet laureate, Donna Disch announced there would soon be a poetry box at Compo Beach.
Yesterday it was installed at the end of Soundview Drive, near where Hillspoint Road becomes Compo Road South.
(Photo/JD Dworkow)
It comes complete with a poem.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
With its proximity to Fiona’s Disappearing Island, that spot of Compo Beach is now more magical than ever.
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The Woodside Bash — Earthplace’s great under-the-stars fundraiser is well known for its great food, live music and woodsy vibe.
This year’s event (Saturday, October 5, 7 to 10 p.m.) adds something new: contemporary line dancing.
After a filling harvest dinner, Bash-goers will enjoy a special lesson from experts.
All proceeds support Westport’s popular nature center. Earthplace continues its focus on bringing quality, nature-based programming and education to everyone – especially urban youth in Fairfield County and beyond.
Tickets include a harvest dinner, open bar, fire pit with s’mores, and band. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Attendees at last year’s Woodside Bash. This year, they’ll be line dancing.
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StartUp Westport is starting up another season, offering innovative and impactful ideas.
This Tuesday (September 24, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library) features a night of cocktails, networking and information. The focus is on B Corporations, a new business model that allows companies to pursue both profit and purpose.
Hosted by Jen Gorin, founder of Impact Growth Partners, with a roundtable discussion led by Phil White and Heidi Schoeneck of Grounded World — both Westport-based Certified B Corps — the event highlights the importance of impact-driven business practices.
Michael Hermus of Westport-based mental health startup Halespring, Felicia Rubenstein of HAYVN, and Adam Thatcher of Grace Farms Tea & Coffee will share insights into how B Corp certification can enhance employee retention, market positioning and fundraising efforts.
The event is free, but registration is required; click here.
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Marc Lasry earned his billionaire status as a private equity manager.
He earned an NBA championship ring as co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Now — as women sports are having a moment — the Beachside Avenue resident may buy a controlling stake in a women’s team.
Sportico reports that Lasry is nearing a dal to purchase 60% of the National Women’s Soccer League North Carolina Courage from Steve Malik. The valuation is around $108 million.
Previously, Lasry expressed interest in the Seattle Reign. Sportico says he was also in the running to buy Angel City FC, before Willow Bay and Bob Iger purchased control of the NWSL’s most valuable club ($250 million valuation).
Click here for the full story.
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It’s not yet the holiday season. But it’s never too early for Earth Animal’s “Buy Joy to Gift Joy” project.
From now through December 31, the popular Post Road East store will donate 1 No-Hide Strip to shelter dogs, for every Pumpkin Spice or Holiday Feast No-Hide Chew purchase.
The goal is to donate No-Hide Chews to 80,000 shelter dogs. They’re an alternative to rawhide, offering dogs safe nutritious and enjoyable chew experiences.
Earth Animal
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We’ve posted this before, but it bears repeating.
This reminder comes from Cindy Nigro: “A basket in the lobby of Westport Police headquarters on Jesup Road is filled with lost keys. They’re dropped off by helpful folks all over town.
“I dropped off a set with an electronic fob that was unclaimed at Old Mill Beach for most of the summer.”
As anyone who has replaced them knows, those fobs are expensive! If you’ve lost one, it may be at the police station.
(Photo/Cindy Nigro)
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An appreciative crowd enjoyed the Matsiko World Orphan Choir yesterday. The Jazz Society of Fairfield County presented the concert, at Bedford Middle School.
The Liberian choir performs traditional African songs around the world, to champion the rights of all children to receive a basic education.
Dancing in the aisles, at Bedford Middle School. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
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There are still 2 days left of summer.
But squirrels have started gathering acorns for the winter already.
This guy stopped briefly, to pose for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Then it was right back to work. Those nuts don’t store themselves!
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
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And finally … in honor of our town’s new poet laureate, and our first poetry box (story above):
(We’ll spare you a rhyme. But here’s a reason: If you enjoy these daily “06880” Roundups, please consider a tax-free contribution. Just click here. And thank you!)
It appears Carvana is not yet going the way of the Edsel. New signage shows them relocating to the previous car dealership directly adjacent to Gruel Britannia (plug, one of the best restaurants in Fairfield).
Carvana stock is 169 as I write this comment. Can the town use that space that they once occupied? Maybe Westport should buy up land. If they did that 50 years ago, the land and buildings would be worth tens of millions more than they bought it for! What could the land be used for? I think you could figure it out!
It would be a good location for the parking some of our school buses, as it’s zoned for vehicle maintenance, a rare designation here in Westport. Likely the biggest issue is that the value of the property is much higher for commercial use than the Town wants to pay for it and, if the Town did buy the property, we would receive no tax income for the property.
Some may recall that the Dattco facility on the Post Road opposite Playhouse Square was used when Dattco was the bus contractor for the schools. When First Student became the bus contractor, the Dattco space was understandably not made available to First Student.
So even if the space isn’t available for sale, perhaps we could lease it from whomever owns the property.
Mark, Or the town can buy the property and lease it out. Then sometime in the future it can be utilized, or sold for a hefty profit!
The poetry box is really beautiful!
Why does everybody remember the VW dealership on that site and not remember the Saab dealership on that site for many years?
Saab Dealership. cars for drivers – everyone a stick shift!!!!
And the ignition, as they were fond of saying, where it’s supposed to be!
Actually, ours was automatic. Terrific car.