Years ago, the tenant in one of Westport’s most prominent buildings – most recently leased by Patagonia – was Westport Bank & Trust Company. Their motto was “A hometown bank, in a town of homes.”
The next tenant will sell those homes.
Next spring, Compass Westport will move into the red brick space with 20-foot ceilings (87 Post Road East, at the junction of Church Lane). The real estate firm is currently across the Saugatuck River, at 54 Wilton Road.
Their “new” building was built in 1924 — a year after the Westport YMCA (now Anthropologie), a few yards away. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The bank vault downstairs has been repurposed as space for Pink Sumo restaurant, which will remain.
Two large murals by noted artist Robert Lambdin — a handsome backdrop in the bank, and retained by Patagonia — will continue to be displayed.
The Patagonia building has been vacant since Christmas Eve, 2023. The Westport location opened in 2005.
87 Post Road East recently …
… and as Westport Bank & Trust on Christmas Day, 1975. (Photo/Fred Cantor)
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Hollywood — and the world — is mourning the death of Robert Redford.
Westport and Weston residents are remembering him as a neighbor. He lived in this area for a while, and visited frequently with his great friend and frequent co-star, Paul Newman.
Twenty years ago, they settled into the Westport Country Playhouse’s red velvet seats, and were filmed for a Sundance Channel documentary, “Iconoclasts.”
Paul Newman and Robert Redford. (Photo courtesy of Westport Country Playhouse)
If you have a local memory of Redford, click “Comments” below.
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They’re all over the place. You can’t ignore them. And there will be more to come.
No, not spotted lanternflies.
Political signs.
What — if any — are the regulations regarding those ubiquitous placards?
Free speech (including political signs) is protected. It is not regulated by zoning — unlike signs advertising businesses and special events (which are regulated).
These general guidelines apply to all temporary signs (including political ones):
- No sign may be placed on any public school property without permission from the superintendent’s office.
- No sign may be placed within the interior of Compo Beach or Longshore Club Park.
- No sign may be placed on Town Hall property.
- No sign may be placed on trees or utility poles.
- No sign may interfere with traffic visibility.
PS: Do not steal political signs! You may not agree with another candidate, but that’s not cool.
Political — and non-profit — signs from a past election.
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As fall approaches, and residents declutter their closets, the Westport Woman’s Club invites donations of clothes for its annual tag sale.
Retail businesses can contribute surplus inventories of clothing and accessories too.
Items may be dropped off any weekday between 10 a.m. and noon, and 1 to 4 p.m., at the clubhouse (44 Imperial Avenue).
All women’s and men’s clothes, along with shoes, boots, handbags, scarves, jewelry and more is welcome.
Torn or soiled items cannot be accepted, or personal items like undergarments, lingerie and bathing suits.
The clothing tag sale is Friday and Saturday, October 24-25 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and Sunday, October 26 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Funds raised support the Woman’s Club’s food closet, student scholarships, and community grants.
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What’s cooking at Wakeman Town Farm?
“Hot Sauce Hangout” (September 24, 6:30 p.m.; $40): Learn to make your own from farm fresh produce, with music and a nosh.
“Friday Fun for Kids” (September 26, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; $65): Grill and chill cooking class; ages 7-12. After gathering herbs and veggies from the garden: marinated grilled chicken, corn skewers, baked potato bar, and apple fritters.
“Family Fall Beer Garden (October 12, noon to 4 p.m.; $15 adults, kids free; food beverage, crafts available to purchase; proceeds benefit WTF educational programs). Music, lawn games, bubbles, animal encounters, pumpkin crafts and more. Pizza by Tony Napolitano; Food Truck Refinery; gelato from Fatto a Mano; adult beverages from Greens Farms Spirit Shop.
Click here, then scroll down for more information.
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Rach’s Hope — the non-profit honoring the memory of 2015 Staples High School graduate Rachel Doran, which provides nutritious food, lodging, transportation and encouragement to family members when a child is in intensive care — is as active as Rachel herself was.
On Sunday, October 5 (3 p.m., Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach), everyone is invited to join the 5th annual “Walk the Extra Mile … For Rach’s Hope” event.
It’s a fun, community-wide beach walk, with live music, a pizza truck, beer and wine, dessert, and special Rach’s Hope swag.
Need more incentive? In celebration of his 84th birthday, Rachel’s grandfather Michael Isenberg completed his pledge to walk 1,000 miles for Rach’s Hope.
He’ll be there. He invites everyone to “walk the extra mile” with him — or come cheer others on.
Click here for tickets, and to make added donations.
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Woodpeckers are supposed to peck wood. I mean, it’s right there in the name.
The star of today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — spotted at Earthplace — doesn’t quite get it. I guess he’s a dirtpecker.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … on this date in 1630, the city of Boston was founded.
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