Last week, “06880” reported that Atlantic Retail had listed “the former Balducci’s space” for lease.
However, we noted, a manager denied they were closing. “I’d be one of the first to know,” he told us.
Perhaps he knows now. Yesterday, Westport Patch said that the gourmet grocery store would close by February 28. The closure is reportedly due to “real estate considerations.”
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Just before 9 p.m. on Monday, a stationary license plate reader alerted Westport Police to a stolen motor vehicle in Saugatuck.
An officer located the vehicle, traveling north on Saugatuck Avenue. The officer followed it to the intersection of Riverside Avenue and Post Road West.
A second officer blocked is path, and a felony high risk motor vehicle stop was executed. The 4 occupants were ordered out of the car, and were compliant. A loaded firearm was located on the rear floor.
A “ghost gun,” assembled from assorted parts, it did not have a serial number. ‘
Three male juveniles were charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, and conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle.
An 18-year-old male from West Haven was charged with those 2 counts, as well as illegal possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to commit that act. He was held on $20,000 bond.
Ghost gun recovered by the Westport Police Department.
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The Westport Library Book Sale returns for its 32nd year December 5-8. It’s one of the biggest events of the year there.
But the fundraiser won’t be a success without volunteers. Dozens are needed to assist with setup, organization and staffing.
To sign up for a shift — or more — westportbooksaleventures.org. Questions? Email volunteers@westportbooksaleventures.org.
Lots of action at the Westport Library Book Sale.
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The Blondinit — the Israeli restaurant on Church Lane — has heard the requests.
Now — due to popular demand — they’ve added fresh kosher parve challah every Friday.
“Moist and slightly sweet,” it’s $15 per loaf, and available for delivery or pickup.
Challah!
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Cohl Katz just got finished styling Jodie Foster.
Now she can do your hair and makeup too.
After years in New York and Los Angeles — working with Tom Hanks, Jessica Lange, Charlize Theron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Lee Curtis, Helen Mirren, Al Pacino and Johnny Depp — she’s living, and welcoming clients, here.
Cohl Katz at work …
She’s also offering a special deal for “06880” readers. Mention “06880,” and get a special discount for your haircut and style, makeup application, makeup lesson or mini-glam refresh. (Men, you’re included!)
Cohl makes you feel like a star — for a holiday event, photo shoot, wedding, or just any ol’ day. Call 917-848-9596 for details.
… and after she’s done.
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Speaking of theater: “The Importance of Being Earnest” started previews last night at the Westport Country Playhouse. The first play of its 95th season runs through November 15.
For information and tickets, click here.
The cast of “Earnest” earned applause last night. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Through the first 9 days of early voting, 7.87% of eligible Westport voters have cast ballots.
The breakdown:
- Democrats: 892 of 7,948 eligible voters (11.22%)
- Republicans: 240 of 3,337 eligible voters (7.19%)
- Unaffiliated: 359 of 7,584 eligible voters (4.73%)
Early voting continues this week, also at Town Hall:
Wednesday, October 29 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, October 30 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, October 31 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 1 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, November 2 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Sure, you can go trick-or-treating with your kids on Friday.
But for real adult fun, head to Weston’s Lachat Town Farm.
From 7 to 8:30 p.m., there are drinks at the bar, a campfire — and then, in the candlelit barn, noted actor Frank Converse reads Edgar Allan Poe’s terrifying “The Pit and the Pendulum.”
Adults only. Tickets are $20. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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Westporter Dale Najarian is one of over 40 artists who will open their studios November 8 and 9 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), as part of the Bridgeport Art Trail.
Three floors at Metro Art (345 Railroad Avenue, Bridgeport) will be free to the public. Mediums include drawing, painting, sculpture, jewelry, printmaking, photography and video. Many artists offer special prices and discounts.
There’s music, drinks and food too. All ages are invited.
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April Cunningham’s Westport roots run deep.
Her maiden name is Carusone. Her father was a Westport police officer. Her grandfather James Dorta worked for the town.
She and her husband fell on hard times. Last year, she reached out to her former community for help.
Her husband died last week, in his sleep. Once again, she is asking for help, for cremation and expenses going forward. Click here for her Spotfund post.
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MoCA\CT hosts a screening of “Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars” — a film about literacy — on November 20 (5:30 p.m.).
A panel discussion follows. The event is free.
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Westport Writers’ Workshop hosts a conversation with New York Times Magazine staff writer and novelist Taffy Brodesser-Akner. The event is November 13 (7 p.m., Sacred Heart University Theatre, Fairfield).
The evening will explore her diverse career, including her insights into modern relationships, ambition, and identity.
Click here for more information. Click here for tickets.
Taffy Brodesser-Akner
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Brian Marsella — described as “a psychedelic Art Tatum” — returns to Jazz at the Post tomorrow (Thursday, VFW Post 399; shows at 7 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).
The pianist will be joined by bassist Reid Taylor, drummer Brian Floody and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Longtime Westporter Stephen Haffner died Sunday, at Bridgeport Hospital. He was 75.
After graduating from Boston University he joined the family accounting firm. He later took over the business, and ran it for many years before retiring.
Stephen enjoyed playing baseball, traveling the world, immersing himself in the arts and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his children, Caroline Haffner (Ryan Fairhurst) and Casey Haffner (Bronco Pavlin); grandchildren Harper Fairhurst and Ava Pavlin, and sisters Joan Haffner and Barbara Haffner. He was predeceased by his sisters Susan Haffner and Margie O’Hora of Stony Point, New York.
Funeral services will be held today (Wedneday, October 29, 11 a.m., Abraham Green & Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Rd, Fairfield). Burial will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport.
Shiva will be observed at the home of Michal Scarfo in Westport following burial until 7:30 p.m., and tomorrow (Thursday 4 to 7 p.m.). For more information and to share a message, click here. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Stephen Haffner
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Autumn is a photographer’s dream, Rowene Weems says.
Here’s one reason why. She shot Nash’s Pond — today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature image — from Blind Brook Road.
(Photo/Rowene Weems)
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And finally … this date in 1929 is remembered as “Black Tuesday.” New York Stock Exchange investors traded 16 million shares — an astonishing amount. $14 billion of stock value was lost, wiping out thousands of people. The Dow Jones Average lost 30.57 points — but that was 11.73% of its value. Combined with the previous day’s losses, that meant a drop of 68.90 points– 23.05% in just 2 days.
The Great Depression had begun.
(The Dow Jones now gains — and loses — hundreds of points in a day. So we ask if you can please spare not a dime, but dollars, to help support “06880.” Please click here. Our portfolio thanks you!)
Nice work by the WPD!
Balducci’s deserves to close…intentionally over priced items most of which are available for 30% less in super markets and aisle so narrow that they even squeezed your wallet….good riddance.
$15 for a loaf of bread!!!???
Hold on Tracy. After all, it’s “moist and slightly sweet”.
As reported by the Westport Journal, 51 car thefts as of September – higher than 2024 as a whole and more than double the pre-2020 levels.
We can thank the progressives in Hartford and their soft-on-crime bill for that.
Sad that a generally well-managed town like Westport has to fight against the lunacy at state level.
According to the Westport Police, we can thank the knuckleheads who leave the key fobs in their unlocked cars.
Any Staples grads among the knuckleheads?
Like a lot of things, it turns out that multiple things may be true at the same time.
While I tend to agree that the rest of us should not have to pay higher insurance premiums to cover the losses of people that choose to leave their keys in their cars thus facilitating their theft, it is probably also a fair statement that the car thieves should not be stealing cars and the relative lack of penalties for car theft, particularly by minors, has probably increased the prevalence of car theft.
Putting aside, of course, that blaming victims of crime because “it’s their own damn fault” is not an attractive look.
I spoke with an officer a few months ago. I asked if 90% of cars stolen in town were of people leaving their key fobs in them. He looked me in the eye and said “more like 95%.”
I was responding to a dopey “progressives in Hartford” comment that wasn’t blaming criminals for the crimes they were committing, either, so I am not concerned about “the look.”
The police have all but shouted from rooftops, “don’t leave your keys in your car.” At this point, doing so creates an “attractive nuisance,” which kind of does make it the victim’s fault.
“Real estate considerations” AKA “the rent is too high cause our sales are too low.” As Dan K suggests retailers see Westport demographics go ga-ga and overly project high sales. But plenty of discounts in Norwalk farmers markets and excellent groceries don’t help the cash register.
Regarding The Blondinit I have another request: take down the incredibly ugly COVID-era outdoor dining structure which is obstructing Church Lane. It’s October 2025 the pandemic is over, why do we need to deal with this ? In NYC restaurants have been compelled to close these sheds. They impose on pedestrian and public space.
Not a single, “so sorry to see Balducci’s go.”
Most telling.
Hey, how could Balducci’s ever match Paul Newman quietly assessing the quality of the melons at Hay Day? 😉
My wife has a story of how Paul tried to hold open the electric doors for her and her mother. Great guy.
If Balducci’s failed because nobody went there, did it really fail?
From the photo, the lower looks like its been printed poorly with ABS plastic and it generally won’t withstand the stresses of a functioning Glock frame, so if that’s what it is, I expect jamming and cracks to appear after a few rounds. And the Glock lower looks like they downloaded the files off Yeggi or DEFCAD where many of the frames are modeled after the G17 or 19. The slide and internal components were definitely purchased from a 3rd party site and assembled to the printed part. Not sure if these juveniles purchased a $10,000 printer or a kit where they have the drill the holes themselves.
It’s not new. I’ve printed a few Glock and AR lowers in projects with my son and its easier than it looks. There’s a big DIY 3D-printing community out here in Idaho and Colorado; a lot of people are very creative with their designs, and some of the results are genuine works of art.
I, for one, will miss Balducci’s. Partly because I have lived spitting distance from them for thirty years (dating to Hay Day days), but mainly because their fish and meat are the best available in our local supermarkets (at least in between the two Whole Foods locations).
Anyone who didn’t like their pricing was, of course, free to shop anywhere else that they wanted. (While their store app is clumsy, sale prices are based on Albertson’s prices – so you could routinely save a lot using the app “coupons.”)
The 2009 store closings coincided with SKU-cutting that I observed, so I was almost surprised that they lasted this long. The 2020 bankruptcy and sale to Albertson’s obviously didn’t happen because they were thriving.
I wondered if the liquor store was the best use of space – while it always makes sense to have one next to a grocery, the mile between Big Y and Stop & Shop has four other liquor stores.