Tag Archives: J. Crew

Roundup: CT Bites, VFW New Year’s, Club203 Party …

The editor-in-chief of CTBites, Stephanie Webster, lived in Westport for many years.

But only 2 restaurants make the foodies’ webiste list of “Staff Picks for Top Eats of 2024.”

One is Casa Me. Webster writes:

Casa Me recently launched Sunday Brunch. If you don’t live in and around Westport you could miss this spot, but it’s quietly the hardest rez to get in Fairfield County.

One of my faves is a brunch item, Pane Dorato, made with Pandoro, the sweet Christmas bread from Verona. The sweet bread is perfect for french toast and he pairs this with cannoli creme, frutti di bosco compote and olive oil maple syrup. It’s what everyone needs on a Sunday morning.

Pane Dorato, at Casa Me.

The other is Allium Eatery. Managing editor Andrew Dominick says:

Michelle Greenfield’s French-ish, seasonal, creative menu is not to be missed. After a CRAZIES nomination for Best Chef, you best make a reservation, because the word is out about this once best kept secret.

Click here for the full story.

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Looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve before midnight?

Spacecat Brewing Company is sponsoring a “Beer & Burger Night.” It’s 5 to 8 p.m. tonight, at VFW Post 399.

There are Spacecat swag giveaways too. The perfect thing to bring to your midnight event. (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)

Happy New Year! (From 5 to 8 p.m., anyway).

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Yesterday’s Roundup reported that J. Crew is moving from 145 Main Street space, to 27 Main Street (former Pottery Barn).

However, the move is temporary. They’ll be there only during the renovation of their current store.

27 Main Street.

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The new year has not yet begun. But Club203 is ready.

Their first event of the season is Friday (January 3, 6:30 to 8 p.m.), at the Westport Dance Academy.

The evening includes martial arts with Sensi Pilardy and Club203 member Bella Rizzi; dancing with Judy Samuels; TikTok moves with Shea and Carly; ballet with XX, and art by MoCA.

Click here for more information on Club203, including registration information.

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Chris Marcocci — the former owner of Local to Market, and a noted and passionate Westporter — died at his home on Sunday.

After a career as a vice president of non-traditional revenue for iHeart (formerly Clear Channel) Radio in Tampa, he embarked on an entrepreneurial journey.

In 2005 Chris founded Streetmarc Advertising and Marketing in South Norwalk. He later moved the office in Westport, and adde branches in Florida and Pennsylvania. Streetmarc helped brands grow market share at the retail level, through consumer promotions and events.

Chris was also an adviser to the Food’N Bev Connect group. That inspired him to launch Local to Market, a concept retail store on Main Street, in the former Talbots and Remarkable Book Shop space.

Local To Market showcased Connecticut farms and food products, and local artisans and local musicians.

Chris enjoyed all that Westport offers, from beaches and sunsets to fishing and hanging out with friends.

His annual trip to Italy with his wife Rita was the highlight of his life.

He was also an avid scuba diver. and enjoyed live music events with his wife and friends.

A celebration of Chris’ life will take place in the next few weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chris’ name to Mission Iconic Reefs, an underwater reef preservation entity; MoCA CT, or Homes with Hope.

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I know, I know: It’s New Year’s Eve, and there’s no snow on the ground.

But just a week ago was Christmas Eve. Here’s a very cool (and warm) “Westport … Naturally” shot, from outside Rick Benson’s window:

(Photo/Rick Benson)

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And finally … hit it, Guy!

(Our final reminder of 2024: If you’ve enjoyed “06880” all year, there is still time to support our work — and get a tax deduction to boot. Just click here. And, for the last time this year: Thank you!)

Roundup: J. Crew, Twilight Zone, New Year’s Day …

J. Crew is moving.

But not far.

The new location will be 27 Main Street — the former Pottery Barn.

The current location is 145 Main Street. That’s 2 doors down from the now-shuttered 159 Main (previously Rye Ridge Deli; before that, Oscar’s).

The new J. Crew store. (Hat tip and photo/Sal Liccione)

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Speaking of the holiday: If it’s New Year’s, it must be SyFy’s annual “Twilight Zone” marathon.

The annual event — an homage to the show and its creator, former Westporter Rod Serling — begins at 1 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday). It runs through 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

Click here for the full schedule. Looking for “A Stop at Willoughby” — the episode that includes a commuter heading to Westport, who never quite makes it?

It airs at 11:40 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1.

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Experience Camps — the Westport-based national, no-cost program for grieving children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver — hosts a New Year’s Day Polar Plunge (January 1, 10 a.m., Compo Beach).

The event ceelbrates the opening of their newest location. It will be at KenMont and KenWood Camp in Kent, Connecticut (August 18-23).

The weather should be much warmer then.

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Friends of Sherwood Island welcome New Year’s with a beach walk.

Everyone — “official” Friends members and not; children, and dogs on short leashes — is invited to meet in front of the Nature Center at 11 a.m. on Wednesday (January 1). Follow signs to East Beach.

Start the new year at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo/Susan Leone)

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Hungry to learn more about where your food comes from?

The Westport Farmers’ Market co-hosts the Fairfield County premiere of “Food & Country” — Ruth Reichl’s award-winning documentary about our food supply — next Sunday (January 5, 4:30 p.m., FTC Warehouse).

An extra course: Reichl (former New York Times food critic, and editor of Gourmet magazine) will be at the screening. After, she’ll join 2 other culinary icons to talk about the fim, and answer questions from the audience.

Panelists include Michel Nischan and Ed Levine.

Nischan is a 4-time James Beard Award-winning chef, who has spent over 40 years advocating for a more healthful, sustainable food system. He worked with Paul Newman to help low-income families access fresh fruits and vegetables (now a permanent part of the federal farm bill). Nischan and Newman also co-founded The Dressing Room, the popular restaurant next to the Westport Country Playhouse.

Levine is the host and creator of the “Special Sauce” podcast, and a 3-time James Beard Award winner.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Paul Newman, flanked by Westport Farmers’ Market director Lori Cochran-Dougall and Michel Nischan, proudly sported WFM gear.

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Yesterday’s New York Times Styles section included a story on “Knitting with Dog Hair.”

The popular “lighthearted yet serious instructional book on the quirky craft that shows how to collect dog fuzz and spin, dye and knit with the yarn known as chiengora” has just been reissued in a revised 30th anniversary edition.

What makes this “06880”-worthy is that author Kendall Crolius — now 70 years old — grew up in Westport.

Linda Smith calls her “the favorite child I babysat for 66 years ago.” The Croliuses lived on Cavalry Road, and Linda says that 4-year-old Kendall explained to her the difference between Cavalry and Calvary.”

Click here for the full Times story.

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Earthplace’s winter after-school programs for children and teenagers begin next month.

They include:

  • Eco-Explorers (grades 3-5; 4 to 5 p.m.)
  • Nature Art Club (grades 3-6; 4 to 5 p.m.)
  • Teen Volunteer Club
  • Harbor Watch Student Programs.

Click here for more information.

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There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

But free s’mores — compliments of Nômade — were on the menu yesterday, outside the Main Street restaurant in front of Savvy + Grace.

The marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate have been one of the most popular items the last 2 years, at the “06880”/Westport Downtown Association Holiday Stroll.

(Photo/Sal Liccione)

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Yesterday’s fog elicited several “Westport … Naturally” photos.

Andrew Fishman captured this scene on Larch Tree Lane, off Cavalry Road.

(Photo/Andrew Fishman)

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And finally … today is the birthday of not 1, but 2 Monkees.

Michael Nesmith was born on this date in 1942. He died in 2021.

Davy Jones was born 3 years later. He died in 2012.

(Cheer up, sleepy Jean! There’s still time to make a 2024 donation to “06880.” Just click here. And thank you!)

Crew Blue

Have you noticed J. Crew’s new look?

j-crew

According to the Westport Downtown Merchants Association:

The temporary color change is in honor of J. Crew’s October catalogue, which was shot in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. The trip was so inspiring that they named one of the colors in their collection “Dutch Sky.”

Good thing they weren’t inspired by the statue of a certain little boy in Brussels.