Tag Archives: Peter’s Weston Market

Roundup: Weston Market, Baron’s South, Parks & Rec Programs …

Posted on August 25, 2021 | 7 comments

======================================================

Peter’s Market closed in January. For 7 months, Weston residents — and their neighbors in northern Weston — have schlepped to Westport or Wilton for basic needs.

Soon — “as soon as possible,” in fact — Lily’s Market will open in Weston Shopping Center. The news was first reported by Weston Today.

Among the familiar faces: Jay Stasko, who worked at Peter’s on and off since he was 16 (and whose daughter is Lily), and DJ Hall, who managed it for 22 years.

Westporter Mark McWhirter will head up the business side.

Also in the works; Weston Pharmacy. The goal for Ken and Susan Lee — who signed the lease — is to open in early September. (Hat tip: Dick Wingate)

Coming soon: Lily’s Weston Market

=======================================================

Registration for Westport Parks & Recreation fall programs begins online on Wednesday, September 8 (9 a.m.)..

Programs are available by clicking here. Visit us at http://www.westportrecreation.com to view our upcoming Fall programs!

Administrators say: “Please log into your online account to verify your family information. Once you have logged into your account, click ‘manage family members’ on the bottom right. To view more details, click the name of the member you want to view. Please check email addresses provided and other personal information that may have changed. Make any necessary changes and hit ‘save’ at the end.”

Have an address change? Email recreation@westportct.gov.

If you cannot log into your online account, do not create another profile. Email recreation@westportct.gov or call us 203-341-5152 for help.

=======================================================

The Parks & Recreation Commission meets next Wednesday (7:30 p.m., Zoom) to review 2 Baron’s South conceptual plans. To attend via Zoom, use Meeting ID 840 1308 5788; Passcode 398959.

What’s next for Baron’s South? The Parks & Recreation Commission will begin discussing the issue next Wednesday . (Photo/Cathy Walsh)

=======================================================

Heather Frimmer’s new book, “Better to Trust,” launches with a party at the Westport Library. It’s September 21 (7 p.m.), and includes an interview with Suzy Leopold.

Click here to register (in-person or virtually), and obtain a signed copy.

=======================================================

Today’s “Westport … Naturally” contribution is not, notes Margo Amgott, “cute fawns, bunnies, local turkeys or fuzzy bears.” It is, however, what’s been hanging out at her house.

(Photo/Margo Amgott)

“Her web is about 4 feet wide,” Margo describes. (I have no idea how she determined its gender.)

“She’s still most of the day. But a half hour or so every day she spins (pun intended) into action.

“She’s got long black stockings and gloves, yellow markings, and is about 2 feet inches long. She has a large sac (venom? Babies?).

“We are terrified but also charmed. Anyone know what she is?”

If so, click Comments below. And let Margo know whether she should be completely charmed. Or totally terrified.

=======================================================

And finally … Charlie Watts’ passing marks the end of an era. The Rolling Stones’ drummer (and bandmate of our neighbor Keith Richards) died yesterday in London. He was 80.

The New York Times called his style “strong but unflashy.” It cited his work on 3 songs in particular as emblematic of the group’s success:

“He was relentless on “Paint It, Black” (No. 1 in 1966), supple on “Ruby Tuesday” (No. 1 in 1967) and the master of a funky cowbell groove on “Honky Tonk Women” (No. 1 in 1969).”

Thanks, Charlie. You gave us plenty of satisfaction.

 

7 Comments

Posted in Environment, Library, Local business, Local politics

Tagged , , , , ,

Rick Dickinson Returns

Posted on February 1, 2021 | 12 comments

When one door closes, another opens.

For Rick Dickinson, that cliché is true — literally.

Yesterday, the Peter’s Weston Market door closed for the final time.

This morning, it opens at The Granola Bar.

Rick spent the past 7 years running the market’s bakery. But for more than 2 decades before that, he was the much-loved (and very generous) owner of Great Cakes.

Rick Dickinson, with his great Great Cakes goods.

When that iconic bakery across from New Country Toyota closed 7 years ago tomorrow, Westport lost more than a spot to satisfy a sweet tooth and enjoy a leisurely coffee. It lost a business that always gave back to the community, and a businessman who cared deeply about the town.

Rick was Great Cakes. He worked there for 27 of its 32 years — the last 22 as owner.

As Peter’s Weston Market prepared to close, Rick began thinking about Granola Bar co-owner Julie Mountain. He called, asking if they needed help.

She was stunned. Julie and fellow owner Dana Noorily had just been talking about doing more with their baked goods.

The 3 met at the popular Playhouse Square café. Rapport was instant. “We had the same ideas. And we laughed a lot,” Rick says.

He quickly said: “I’m 150 percent in.”

They quickly said: “Great. You’ll start Monday!”

So Rick is already on the job. Unfortunately, he can’t whip up his new additions to the Granola Bar menu — challah, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies — justlikethat.

Julie and Dana have already purchased a challah maker (from Peter’s). But other equipment is needed.

Items will be added gradually. Challah, he promises, is first.

Coming soon: new bakery items on The Granola Bar menu.

Rick is working out of Westport, supplying it and the 4 other Granola Bar locations (Fairfield, Stamford, Greenwich and Rye).

“Julie and Dana have such a successful business already,” he says. “This is a win-win for all of us. I haven’t been this excited in years. I feel like I’m coming home.”

Welcome home, Rick Dickinson.

And don’t let the door hit you on the way in.

12 Comments

Posted in Local business, People, Restaurants

Tagged , , , , ,

Peter’s Weston Market Closes Sunday

Posted on January 27, 2021 | 32 comments

Food shopping in Weston gets a bit tougher next week.

Peter’s Market — the only place in town for groceries both practical and gourmet, plus prepared, gluten-free and organic foods, and a salad bar — is closing. The last day of operation is Sunday (January 31).

Peter’s has been part of Weston Center since 1972. Previous markets occupied the site decades before that.

A few moments ago, owner Jim Magee posted this message on his website and social media:

We are saddened to announce to the public that Peter’s Weston Market will be closing its doors permanently at the end of the year. [NOTE: That should read “month.”]

Retailers, especially small businesses, have been struggling for the last 15 years and ours is no exception. Over the past 5 years our sales have declined 10% annually though expenses have increased. In addition, the complexities and declining in-store sales due to COVID-19 have dramatically hurt us. Because of all of this, remaining in business is no longer sustainable.

Peter’s Weston Market

After being in business for nearly 50 years, we want everyone to know we explored and exhausted every potential option to prevent this from happening. As a last-ditch effort we launched a GoFundMe page, appealing directly to our customers. Your loyalty and support was generous and overwhelming, allowing us to keep employees employed and continue to serve the community we love, including our regular donations to the Weston Food Pantry. We will be forever and eternally grateful for the support of the town and surrounding communities, especially of late. We simply cannot thank you enough.

In closing, please know the town of Weston and the people who live here have meant everything to us during the nearly 50 years we have been in business. We will miss our loyal customers, the energy in the store, the incredible number of young Westonites who have worked with us, and of course, our favorite Peter’s sandwiches. We hope that you will remember us kindly and be respectful of the impossibly difficult circumstances leading to our closing.

It’s been a great run! While we shed tears of pain right now, we also shed tears of joy for both all the friends we’ve made over the years and for the relief of the future. Thank you again for all of your support. We pray that you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy.

Warmest regards,
Jim Magee and the rest of your Peter’s Market family

PS: Come on in to get your favorite Peter’s sandwiches, rotisserie chickens, etc. through the weekend!

32 Comments

Posted in Economy, Local business

Tagged ,

Boni Is Back Baking

Posted on May 9, 2014 | 6 comments

First Rick Dickinson joined Peter’s Market in Weston.

Now Boni Wright is headed there too.

Which means that — starting Monday — the popular Great Cakes bakers will be back together. Just a few miles north.

The response to Rick has been tremendous. Boni’s return should be just as joyful.

Rick said earlier this week that a number of former Great Cakes customers from Westport have started coming to Peter’s now. At the same time, he didn’t realize how many Great Cakes folks actually live in Weston.

There’s only 1 word to use: Challah-lujah!

Bonnie and Rick, together again.

Bonnie and Rick, together again.

6 Comments

Posted in Local business, People

Tagged , ,

A Bridge Not Taken

Posted on May 1, 2009 | 4 comments

The rumor was enticing:  Jim Magee was coming back to run Peter’s Bridge Market.

Residents of the Saugatuck/Compo area — whose nearest reasonably-priced grocery store options are Super Stop & Shop and Stew Leonard’s — salivated at the news.  Jim’s family owned the Bridge Square market — located across from Mansion Clam House, on the corner of Riverside Avenue and Bridge Street — from 1972 to 2004.  Jim ran it himself until 1995, when he bought Peter’s Weston Market from his dad.

After the Magees sold it, the “Peter”-less Bridge Market lost favor (and raised prices).  Now it’s almost all gone — what remains is a salad bar one flight down in the nearby fish store.

Peter's Bridge Market - Westport

I reached Jim at his Weston home, and relayed the rumor.

“Not true,” he said.  That sound you hear is the dashing of neighborhood hopes.

“I’d love to go back to Westport,” he added.  “The landlord contacted me a couple of times.

“The place needs a lot of time, money and energy.  They were willing to do some things with the infrastructure.  But the rent is way too high.”

He warmed to the subject.  “If the Gaults build something down there, I might be interested.  It’s a nice spot.  But the parking is terrible.  And it’s tough to run a grocery store at $50 a square foot.”

One rumor squelched.  Here’s another:  The space might become a Subway.  Or a Wendy’s.

4 Comments

Posted in Local business, Real estate

Tagged , , ,