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)
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