Many Westporters have weighed in on the Hamlet at Saugatuck — the retail/residential/hotel/marina complex proposed for the area near the railroad station and river.
We have not heard a lot from Saugatuck business owners and employees, however. “06880” intern Katherine Phelps reports:
The ROAN Ventures project could have a dramatic impact on our town’s original commercial center. Some restaurateurs and workers believe it will benefit them; others fear it will destroy all they have worked for.
Patrick Camaro, general manager of The Bridge at Saugatuck, is optimistic.
“It’s good for the area, it’s good for us, it’s good for business,” he says.
The Bridge at Saugatuck opened last fall.
Others fear the project could do more harm than good.
Paul Nessel, owner and butcher at Saugatuck Provisions, supports thoughtful development, but is skeptical about the project’s impact on local infrastructure.
“Traffic is already at a standstill coming through Saugatuck for several hours pretty much every day,” he says.
“If anything is wrong on 95 or the side roads, we’re really shut down. It hurts my business, and makes it hard for people to get through.”
Parking and congestion are longstanding challenges in Saugatuck — issues critics say The Hamlet may worsen. Nonetheless, proponents argue that the developer is equipped to address them.
“ROAN can help figure out the traffic situation because they can hire engineers,” Camaro said.
Charles Street traffic, at Railroad Place.
At the May 19 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, Fiona Flynn of SLR — representing the traffic planning side — noted that the state approval for traffic volume had already been cleared.
Byron Alonso, an employee at Kneads, is passionate about the Hamlet development, specifically the long-term vision of the plan.
“I think it’s important to have better construction and the best future in Westport,” he says.
“So many people say it’s not good because we lose the natural elements and there will be traffic. But I agree with improving the future of Westport.”
Still, numerous concerns persist — particularly, for restaurant owners, about traffic.
Congestion along Charles Street and Riverside Avenue is a longstanding issue that could be worsened by new development.
Bill Rizzuto, founder and owner of the restaurant that bears his name, adds, “Saugatuck already suffers from a significant parking shortage, especially in the evenings.
“Despite this, we continue to add capacity without adequately addressing infrastructure — particularly parking.” This impacts residents as well as visitors.
Rizzuto’s’ parking lot is larger than most in the area.
When Rizzuto opened his restaurant in 2009 he struggled to secure a variance, because even his large lot did not meet required parking ratios.
In the 15 years since, Rizzuto says, while traffic is more dense, parking issues seem to have become less of an official priority.
Rizzuto notes that issues like those are crucial.
“If we want mixed-use developments in Saugatuck to thrive, we must put parking and access at the forefront of planning discussions,” the restaurant owner says.
“Ignoring these fundamentals risks undermining the long-term success of any project before it even begins.”
The debate over The Hamlet at Saugatuck — including its potential effects on parking, traffic and the impact on restaurants and businesses beyond its boundaries — continues next month.
The Flood & Erosion Control Board considers its wetlands application June 4 June 4 (7 p.m., Zoom; meeting ID 864 1571 7675; passcode 407757). The Planning & Zoning Commission is expected to again address the Hamlet at its June 9 meeting.
For over 30 years, Matt Storch has been one of this area’s best known, and most respected, chefs and restaurant owners.
Match in SoNo recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Match Burger Lobster is a Westport favorite for its classic New England menu, while Saugatuck Provisions next door — his newest project — is a whole-animal butcher shop and market.
Matt is also involved in the Copps Island Oyster Shacks, is a “Chopped” champion, and appeared on “Beat Bobby Flay.”
The other day he ducked out of the kitchen, for a chat on the “06880” podcast. Click below for our delicious conversation.
Turning to the Planning & Zoning Commission: Its November 4 meeting agenda (6 p.m., Zoom; livestreamed at www.westportct.gov; Optimum Channel 79) includes a report on a new lease with Longshore Sailing School. This replaces the former lease with a new one, with the same operator. It would run to October 31, 2029, with an option for a 5-year extension.
Also on the agenda: Text Amendment #846. It would allow outdoor eating areas for any retail food establishment existing or operating in a residential zone prior to September 1, 2024, and exempt them from the 50-foot setback requirement; update the “outdoor eating area” definition to include the right to utilize portable food carts and service stations, and expand the sale of alcohol to those same food establishments.
In addition to Old Mill Grocery, the text amendment would benefit The Porch at Christies on Cross Highway, and The Country Store on Wilton Road.
An explanatory statement filed with the application says: “The vision and impetus behind these proposed text amendments is for these establishments to serve as a place where neighbors can enjoy a casual glass of wine, or a beer, with their food, unwind, and socialize with their friends.”
The amendments are also “consistent with the Town of Westport’s 2017 Plan of Conservation and Development,” which encourages “tiny commercial uses embedded” in some residential areas, while “maintaining residential character.”
Click here to view the full pending application of Text Amendment #846. Based on statutory requirements, the Planning & Zoning Commission’s public hearing will wait until November. Residents can comment on the application by emailing PandZ@westportct.gov.
Old Mill Grocery & Deli. (Photo/Dave Dellinger)
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Congratulations to longtime Westporter, generous supporter and exceptional business leader Melissa Bernstein. She has just been inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.
Her citation reads: ‘Melissa Bernstein is an entrepreneur, creative, and author. As co-founder and former CEO of the wildly successful toy company Melissa & Doug, Melissa has spent the last 30 years helping children discover themselves, their passions, and their purpose through open-ended play.
“In 2020, after her own personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance, Melissa founded Lifelines. Through Lifelines, she is using her unparalleled creativity and imagination to reinvent well-being products and experiences to help adults strengthen their resilience, stay grounded, and unlock their full potential. Melissa lives in Westport Connecticut with Doug and their 6 children.”
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker — who surprised Melissa with appearance at her induction in Hartford — praises: “You lead with compassion, creativity and incredible competence. Every day you inspire women and girls to realize their own limitless potential, which is the mission of the CT Women’s Hall of Fame.”
Melissa Bernstein and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, at the CT Women’s Hall of Fame ceremony.
Speaking of women: “The Hills of California” is a Broadway show about sisters. (They cram into the guest house of their former home as their mother lies dying.)
So — to drum up social media interest — the producers asked some sisters to see and review it.
Well, not just “some.”
They sent the Utz family. All 7 of them.
The Utzes grew up in Westport, and all graduated from Staples High School. Claire, Chrissy and Cathy remain. Jamie and Jennifer live in Fairfield. Bo is in Rye Brook, New York, while Lis is the furthest away: Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Speaking of great meals: CTBites reports that starting today (Tuesday), Saugatuck Provisions will launch “Provisions After Dark.”
It’s a tie-in between chef Matt Storch’s market, and his Match Burger Lobster next door. It’s a way to offer his high-quality products, for people who don’t have the time (or talent?) to cook them.
Customers can select what they want from cases with individual portions of meats and fish — “anything from a dry aged 2-pound porterhouse to a beautiful piece of line caught tuna, or the perfect pork chop,” or a rotisserie chicken, along with a sauce, says CTBites.
Selections will be paired with olive oil griddled potatoes and steamed organic veggies.
It’s available Sunday to Thursday starting at 5 p.m., as an add-on to the existing Match Burger Lobster menu. Provisions will now be open later too. (Click here for the full CTBites story.)
Thomas Quealy writes: “I hope ‘06880’ can shine a spotlight on a little corner of our town that could be nicer.
“Behind Town Hall are softball fields used by our local girls. One set of bleachers is absolutely filthy and mildly broken.”
(Photo/Thomas Quealy)
Sounds like it’s time for a little love.
Or at least a power washing.
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Trumpeter David Sneider brings his swinging feel, flawless technique and deep roots to this week’s Jazz at the Post (October 31, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m; dinner service from 7 p.m.; $20 music cover, $15 veterans and students).
He’ll be joined by pianist David Zaks, bassist Dan Finn, saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall, and drummer Mike Camacho. Click here for tickets.
And finally … today is the anniversary of Black Tuesday. On this day in 1929 the New York Stock Exchange crashed. It marked the end of the great bull market of the 1920s, and the start of the Great Depression.
(“06880” is your hyper-local source for news: political, restaurants, and everything else. If you find this site useful, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
It may be hard to remember. And newcomers have no clue.
But the current look of Riverside Avenue, in the heart of Saugatuck, is less than 15 years old.
The redevelopment was not without controversy.
The block containing DeRosa’s restaurant, Westport Florists, Riverside Barber and Gault was demolished. So too was the building across the street, which housed a salon and restaurant, and a nearby former garage that was Doc’s Café.
Today, this is the block with The Whelk and an ice cream shop.
There have been changes in the past 15 years. The first butcher shop moved across the street; after various iterations, it’s now Saugatuck Provisions, part of Match Burger Lobster.
Saugatuck Sweets is gone. It will be replaced soon by an ice cream shop operated by Kneads Bakery across the street — which itself took over from Garelick & Herbs.
One kayak rental shop has come and gone. Another moved in.
Doc’s Café was a favorite coffee shop.
Westport has welcomed thousands of newcomers since the early 2010s. They have no memory of the “old” Saugatuck — which itself was only the latest incarnation of an area that was the first commercial center of Westport, in the mid-1800s, then became a thriving Italian neighborhood that gave our town so much of its character and history.
More change may come soon to Saugatuck. Meanwhile, this was the scene that Peter Barlow saw — and was surprised by — when he visited the town he grew up in, 14 long (and short) years ago:
Riverside Avenue, under construction in 2010. (Photo/Peter Barlow)
(“06880” chronicles the changes in Westport — in real time, and in this regular Friday feature. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Mark your calendars for the 2nd annual Holiday Stroll. It’s Saturday, December 3 (5 to 7 p.m.).
Last year’s first-ever event was sponsored by “06880.” This year, we’re teaming up with the Westport Downtown Association, for an extra-special event.
It’s family friendly, with a visit from Santa, special activities for kids, and songs from the Orphenians and more. There will be a tent outside Cold Fusion.
Downtown merchants — including some across the river — will offer promotions. For example:
Walrus Alley: Happy hour prices for food and drinks
Lift Wellness Group: discount on bundled psychotherapy and nutrition services, gift cards with 10% discount applied for virtual and in person psychotherapy and nutrition services.
Upnorth: 10% off, and a giveaway.
Merchants and restaurants wishing to participate can click here for more information.
Westport honors its vets tomorrow (Friday, November 11), with a ceremony at Town Hall.
The Community Band welcomes visitors with patriotic tunes, at 10:30 a.m.
At 11 a.m. — the hour the armistice ending World War I took effect — the program begins.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Staples High School senior Tyler Clark will speak. The Westport Police Department will fire a salute. The Community Band will play the “Armed Forces Salute.”
The public is invited.
The doughboy statue on Veterans Green. Tomorrow’s ceremony takes place in nearby Town Hall. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
The new shop in the former Fleishers Craft Butchery is the creation of chef (and Staples High School graduate) Matt Storch and Susan McConnell — both of Burger Lobster and Match — plus Jimmy Bloom (Copps Island Oysters) and butcher Paul Nessel (well known from his Craft Butchery days across Riverside Avenue).
Stephanie Webster of CTBites calls Saugatuck Provisions “a new concept offering customers a curated selection of the very best ingredients from the land, sea and grocery, enabling guests to create beautiful restaurant quality meals at home.”
Saugatuck Provisions (Photo and hat tip/JD Dworkow)
For Old Dominion, winning “Vocal Group of the Year” at the CMA Awards never gets old.
The country band — whose lead guitarist is 1997 Staples High School graduate Brad Tursi — took top honors for the 5th time, at last night’s 56th annual event.
Tursi was best known at Staples as a star soccer player. Now he’s scoring on a much bigger stage. (Hat tip: Jeff Lea)
The first evening of the Westport Library’s Short Cuts Film Festival earned rave reviews.
The second night is Thursday, November 17 (7 p.m., Trefz Forum).
Four short documentaries — all from the Tribeca Film Festival — will be shown.
“More Than I Want to Remember,” by Amy Bench. Winner, Best Animated Short, Tribeca. In the Congo, 14-year-old Mugeni runs to the forest, escaping bombs and surviving without her family.
“Beirut Dreams in Color,” by Michael Collins. This heart-rending story follows an openly gay Arab rock star and his activist fan. Tragedy results “in Cairo.
“Kylie” by Sterling Hampton. A Black ballerina tries to make it in the traditionally white ballet world?
“John Leguizamo Live at Rikers Island,” by Elena Francesa. The actor performs and spends time at the prison, inspiring justice-involved young men to reflect about their lives and the challenges of incarceration.
After the screenings, Kevin Wilson Jr. — an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, chats with Short Cuts producer Nancy Diamond.
The festival continues December 8, with an evening of narrative shorts.
Tickets are $25. Refreshments and popcorn will be served. For more information and tickets, click here.
“I always thought of ‘Compo’ as coming from the Native American ‘Compaug.’ So I was surprised to see this clock at The Castle Museum in York, England.
“I looked it up and found: ‘Original Metal Front/Vanner & Prest’s Molliscorium Compo Embrocation Trade Mark/Advertising Clock with Restored Paint, circa 1905 to 1910.
“Etc., etc. — but with no explanation of ‘Compo.'”
Deej hopes the “06880” crowd can crowdsource this mystery. If you have any idea where “Compo” fits in all this, click “Comments” below.
The Westport Police have released arrest reports for November 2-9.
Three people were detained in custody. One was charged with identity theft and larceny, 3rd degree.
One was arrested for sale of hallucinogenics, drug paraphernalia, weapons in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit, misuse of plates, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle under suspension, insurance coverage fails minimum requirements, failure to wear safety belt
One was detained for for violation of parole and narcotics possession.
The following citations were issued:
Violation of any traffic commission regulation (11)
Traveling unreasonably fast (7)
Misuse of plates (3)
Operating an unregistered vehicle (3)
Speeding (2)
Failure to obey control signal (2)
Insurance coverage fails to meet minimum requirement (2)
Readings of the new musical “Psyche,” starring Jay Armstrong Johnson and Johanna Moise, are set for today and tomorrow (November 10 and 11 at New York’s DiMenna Center .
But you can be forgiven if you think it’s a Staples Players’ Class of 2017 reunion.
The musical’s book and lyrics are by Emily Garber. The score is from Jake Landau.
Rounding out the production team are developmental producer Lauren Weinberger, dramaturg Phoebe Corde, and gender and sexuality consultant Shira Helena Gitlin. All collaborated on many Players productions.
“Psyche” was featured in Broadway World (click here). Click here for the website, with a full synopsis and link to demos.
Speaking of performances: “Cheese Fries & Froot Loops” — the funny, poignant solo show written and performed by Weston’s Chris Fuller, about this lifelong dream to play on the PGA Tour while living with bipolar manic disorder — returns to the Fairfield Theater Company November 30 (6:30 p.m.).
His brothers Jeff and Judd Fuller (both professional musicians) and Chris’ step-sister Vicky — all raised in Westport — offer a special musical performance prior to the show. The theme is mental health awareness.
Chris was recently invited to join the United Solo Festival on New York’s Theater Row.
Click here for more information about the FTC show, including tickets.
Art of Everyone is launching Connecticut’s first Hybrid NFT & Traditional Art Exhibition.
The 2 mediums will be merged under one roof. The exploration of the convergence of traditional visual arts and NFTs puts artists back in control of their careers.
Set for this Saturday (November 12, 4 to 9 p.m.), it’s part of the Bridgeport Arts Trail. The Knowlton (305 Knowlton Street) has donated their entire 10,000-square foot space, audiovisual resources, staging and technology for the event.
Among the participants: Westport artists James Chantler Brown (Art of Everyone co-founder), Linda Colletta and Alison James.
Westporter Herm Freeman is showing too. He helped curate and hang the entire exhibit.
The next step in the plan to create a new zoning district in Saugatuck — part of the proposed Hamlet at Saugatuck project — is a Westport Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing. It’s set for Wednesday (November 2, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
Speaking of Saugatuck: “06880” announced a few days ago that Saugatuck Provisions will be moving into the former Fleishers Craft Butchery.
But our little morsel was nothing compared to the meal Stephanie Webster delivered.
Her CTBites — the go-to platform for all things foodie in the state — has a full report on the new venture.
She describes the “culinary power team” of Chef (and Staples High School graduate) Matt Storch and Susan McConnell — both of the highly regarded Match Burger Lobster and Match — along with Jimmy Bloom (Copps Island Oysters) and butcher Paul Nessel (well known from his Craft Butchery days across Riverside Avenue).
Stephanie calls Saugatuck Provisions “a new concept offering customers a curated selection of the very best ingredients from the land, sea and grocery, enabling guests to create beautiful restaurant quality meals at home.”
Back in the day, women accused of witchcraft would be thrown into water. If they sank, they were innocent. If they stayed on the surface, they were guilty.
Looks like we had a couple of real witches in the water off Compo Beach yesterday!
(Photo/Karen Como)
Meanwhile, few hours later, and a few yards away, there was this:
“06880” was honored this summer to tell the story of Wynston Browne. The non-speaking autistic Staples High School student had made spectacular progress in just a few months, using a spelling board — a low-tech communication device.
Three months later, Wynston continues his astonishing growth. Now Westport Lifestyle magazine has taken notice.
For the latest on Wynston, click here. It should be must-reading for everyone, everywhere.
Wynston Browne and his communication partner, Elisa Feinman, He chatted with customers at The Porch.
The Westport Weston Family YMCA Water Rats swim team are winners in the pool.
And out of it too.
This Saturday (November 5, 8 a.m. to noon), they’ll help neighbors in need. The Water Rats are sponsoring a food drive (plus non-perishable items) for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
the Water Rats Swim Team in their food drive benefiting the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. The need is great: Pantry requests are double what they were last year.
You don’t even have to get out of your car. Just pull into the YMCA loop, and swimmers will take your donations. See below for suggested items.
This week’s Jazz at the Post show is “the most ambitious program so far” at the VFW location (Thursday, November 3, 465 Riverside Avenue; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.).
Grammy nominees Antonio Hart and Mike Mossman join veteran jazz warriors and recording artists pianist David Morgan, Ron Carter’s personal bassist Boots Maleson, drum master Tim Horner and the “Jazz Rabbi,” saxophonist Greg Wall, for 2 sets of jazz classics. Sextet arrangements are by Michael Mossman.
The repertoire features tunes by Miles Davis, Jimmy Heath, Duke Ellington and Duke Jordan.
Reservations are strongly suggested: Jazzatthepost@gmail.com
Antonio Hart
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This year’s fall foliage is the finest in years. Consider this Halloween-colored beauty on Cross Highway — perfect for today’s post-Halloween “Westport … Naturally feature:
Coming soon to Saugatuck: Original Craft Butchery co-owner Paul Nessel will reopen — with a new business — in the former Fleishers Craft Butchery space on Riverside Avenue, across from Saugatuck Sweets.
The target date for “Saugatuck Provisions” is a few weeks. (Hat tip: JD Dworkow)
Paul Nessel (Photo courtesy of Modern Farmer magazine)
Somehow I missed last week’s Bravocon video of Christian Siriano judging the looks of “Real Housewives” cast members.
But Stephanie Ostroff caught it.
She sent a link to “06880.” Click below to watch — particularly at the 4:30 mark, when he talks about Westport, his new store here, and the possibility of a “Real Housewives of Westport.”
The longtime Westporter and always-eager civic volunteer celebrated his 75th birthday. It was also the 77th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter — an organization supported from the start by Rotary International, of which Benson is a proud, active and long-serving member.
Throughout his 33 years in Rotary, he has taken on many roles. He and his wife Totney have also given generously.
So generously, that they are one of only 3 couples from Connecticut to achieve membership in Rotary’s Arch Klumph Society. They’re in the Trustee’s Circle, for gifts of $250,000 to $499,999.
Oh, yeah: yesterday was also the 34th anniversary of a promise Rotary made to the children of the world: to eradicate wild polio. In that time, the disease has gone from 350,000 cases globally to only 29 cases this year, in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Happy birthday, Rick. And thanks, Rick and Totney, for all you do, in Westport and around the planet. (Hat tip: Mark Mathias)
Rick and Totney Benson, with Rotary officials in Kampala, Uganda.
For more than 2 decades, the US Drug Enforcement Administration has run a “Drug Take Back Day” program. Over 16 million pounds of prescription medicines have been removed from circulation.
This Saturday (October 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Westport Police Department again partners in this effort. Medications can be dropped off at the Senior Center, on Imperial Avenue. The event is free, and anonymous; no questions are asked.
Liquids or needles cannot be accepted; only pills or patches. Vape pens are accepted if the batteries are removed.
A year-round collection bin is available in the lobby of police headquarters on Jesup Road. For more information, click here.
This week’s “Jazz at the Post” features guitarist Bob DeVos. He’s joined by Dan Kostelnik on bass, drummer Steve Johns, and of course Greg Wall, Westport’s own “Jazz Rabbi” saxophonist.
There are 2 sets on Thursday (October 27, VFW Post 399, 465 Riverside Avenue): 7:30 and 8:40 p.m. Dinner is available from 7 p.m. on. For reservations, email jazzatthepost@gmail.com.
This past weekend’s Staples High School boys basketball fundraiser was a great success. Kids of all ages participated, helping raise funds for a players’ lounge, video equipment and pre-season camp.
The second part of the fundraiser — a virtual silent auction — runs through this coming Friday (October 28). Items include Knicks, Broadway and Stephen Colbert tickets; autographed basketballs; a lesson with a varsity player, and more. Click here for details, and bids.
Taking a break during the Staples basketball fundraiser: Nicholas Fey, Jackson Shapiro and Ryder Shapiro,
Former Westporter John Preston died earlier this month, at 75.
The Michigan native met his future wife Janet at the University of Michigan. They married in 1970.
He attended the Department of Defense Language Institute, and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1975.
He and his family lived in Westport for nearly 2 decades. They raised 3 children and had many friends here.
John spent 21 years at The Seagram Company, rising to senior vice president and treasurer. In 2004 he and Janet moved to Miami where he spent 14 years at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits as vice president of finance and administration. She died in 2016.
He moved in 2020 to Portland, Oregon to be closer to his son and daughter, and their families. He moved to Wilmette, Illinois, shortly before his death.
John was an avid golfer, voracious reader and lifelong lover of speaking Spanish..
John is survived by his three children Regan, Lilly and Wells; their spouses Jordan, Nik, and Chrissy; granddaughters, Maylin, Marlowe, Daphne, Oona and June; and siblings Susan Root, Thomas Preston and Sarah Linthicum.
A memorial will be held December 3 in Wilmette, Illinois. Click here for details.
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