Angelina’s to the Rescue
After a busy night of take-out and one last family enjoying their meals, Angelina’s Restaurant closed after a day of being one of only a handful of restaurants open today. “We’ve been staying open on nights like this for 44 years so people can eat” one of the staff members said before closing.
New Neighbors: “Organic Krush” Crushes Unhealthy Eating
One of the wooden booths from Organic Krush.
Organic Krush Lifestyle Eatery opened its seventh location in November in the Compo Acres Shopping Center, 374 Post Road East. Its opening marked the first in Connecticut, with five other locations on Long Island and one in Virginia. The restaurant features organic hot and cold foods either pre-made or made-to-order, and includes dine-in or take-out options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. According to a release from Westport-based Kameleon Publicity: “The overall feeling of the restaurant is light and bright with bespoke wood booths as well as tables throughout the location that has 14-foot open ceilings.”
The Organic Krush storefront at 374 Post Road East, a few doors down from Trader Joe’s
The chain was founded by Michelle Walrath and Fran Paniccia in 2015 in the Long Island hamlet of Woodbury. Walrath was a former Norwalk Public Schools teacher, which influenced her decision in opening a location in Westport, saying: “When an opportunity came up to open our restaurant in Westport, we were so excited. We have many family members in the Danbury and Newtown area, and past connections to the neighborhoods of Fairfield County, so we knew Westport would be just the right fit for our first location in Connecticut.” The company announced that a Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich CT location will be sometime this year. Customers can order online at organickrush.com.
Outdoor Line Keeps Building Occupancy Numbers Low
With a continued effort to keep building occupancy numbers low, Trader Joe’s crew members assist in regulating the outdoor queue of waiting customers.
The Show Goes On for Former Westport Movie Theater Properties
Barnes & Noble Booksellers will come to 76 Post Road East, the former home of the Fine Arts 1 & 2 Movie Theater.
Although Westport’s silver screens were removed decades ago, the former movie-houses are all experiencing their own encores as new businesses and updates begin to take shape.
The original Fine Arts 1 & 2 Movie Theater, at 76 Post Road East. This was taken in 1940, after a recent renovation. (Cinema Treasures, LLC) The Housekeeper’s Daughter was showing, a black & white film debuting in late 1939.
Even as the COVID-19 crisis has taken the thought of going to a movie theater out of many Westporters’ minds, it’s not been lost on many new residents that Westport has no permanent movie theater. In the past, there were four: three downtown and one farther east. The cinemas served generations of community members throughout the Golden Age of Hollywood and towards the end of the 20th century.
Although gone for decades, the former buildings of these theaters continue to serve the community, and are all experiencing updates and new life as 2021 begins.
The former location of Fine Arts 1 & 2, 76 Post Road East, is causing excitement among community members as Barnes & Noble and David Adam Realty announced its February opening in the 10,742 square foot building. The booksellers will be downsizing from their previous 1076 Post Road East location, which coincidentally was in the same plaza as the former Post Cinema (featured below). The building hasn’t changed much in the past 100 years, allowing the former theater’s facade and marquee to be easily recalled from memories of standing underneath, waiting in the queue for the shows to begin. There may be irony in the space taking decades to transition from movies to books, however with the change in entertainment medium comes life and excitement for the downtown area, which currently lacks a bookstore. Prior to Barnes & Noble, the space was occupied by Restoration Hardware.
The Fine Arts 1 & 2 in 1939, prior to its renovation. (Cinema Treasures, LLC) The theater was showing Fast and Furious, debuted in 1939.
The former location of Fine Arts 3, 33 Jesup Road, now smells of a wood fire and fresh food as Basso Restaurant and Wine Bar opened in the space this month. The building sits directly behind the Fine Arts 1 & 2 building, facing Jesup Green. The “FA3” theater brought a third screen to the downtown area, and transitioned to a restaurant after its closure - utilizing the high movie-screen ceilings to create a lofted dining room. The newest restaurant - owned by Gilda Scorza and husband/head chef Renato Donzelli - will serve mediterranean cuisine, signature wines, and wood-fired napoletana pizza - a far cry from popcorn with movie theater butter. Prior to Basso, the space was occupied by Matsu Sushi.
Basso Restaurant at 33 Jesup Road, the former site of the Fine Arts 3 Movie Theater.
Fine Arts 4, 180 Post Road East, completed the downtown movie theater grouping with a fourth screen located just a few doors up from Fine Arts 1 & 2. The 35,402 square foot building, owned by Luzern Realty, went through extensive exterior renovations in 2014, and was sold in 2017 for 18 million dollars. The movie theater occupied the eastern corner of the building, facing Post Road East, now Mancini Salon.
About two miles East along Route 1 sat the Post Cinema in Post Plaza, 1100 Post Road East. The Post Plaza has been owned by the Field Family, of the Stamford-based Field Group, since 1976 and has not been updated since 1997, according to the family. However with the recent closure of its anchor tenant, Barnes & Noble, the Plaza will experience a major renovation in 2021 as it prepares for a new anchor tenant, rumoured to be Amazon Fresh. Post Cinema was located on the opposite side of the strip mall from Barnes & Noble, facing the corner of Post Road East and Morningside Drive South. The exact space of Post Cinema’s former screen is occupied by Bassett Furniture, who have been Post Road Plaza tenants since 2013. Prior to Bassett Furniture, the space was occupied by Pompanoosuc Mills, which closed permanently after its relocation to Post Road West.
Westport’s Remarkable Drive-in Theater on Imperial Road, Debuting in Summer 2020
Despite the pandemic, a remarkable thing happened in 2020: the creation of the Remarkable Theater’s Drive-in Movie Screen on Imperial Road. Westport gained the new venue, which brought the silver screen back to the community from the comfort of their cars. The non-profit venue is run by volunteers, and supplied movie events throughout the summer.
Giraffe Away for the Season
Anthropologie’s locally-famous holiday decor was put away this weekend, however the giraffe was not easily hidden alongside the building.
Peggy’s Cottage: A Bit of Ireland on Post Road East
The Peggy’s Cottage storefront at 1773 Post Road East, across from Stop & Shop
Some of the sweets and snacks offered by Peggy’s Cottage.
Brian Ellard, co-owner of Peggy’s Cottage, said that everyone needs a little Irish store - which lead to their opening of the space in May of 2019 for the Westport Community.
Ellard and his wife Peggy Kirby, both Irish immigrants, designed the store to serve traditional Irish gifts, foods, sweets, and clothing for those looking for a bit of home, or a bit of something new. Locals frequent the cottage to pick up imported Irish snacks like Tayto Irish Crisps or Aero chocolate bars, while others stop in to pick up a favorite childhood cereal, browse refrigerated foods, shop for children’s toys, or to chat with the owners.
The inside of Peggy’s Cottage, featuring a traditional thatched roof .
Ellard said that although it was only their second year open, they had hoped to grow the business more prior to the pandemic crisis. He pointed out that despite the slowing of business in the Spring, “The outpouring of support to shop local, especially at Christmastime, was appreciated” as many came into the store to remain local for their gifts this holiday season.
Peggy’s Cottage can be found at 1773 Post Road East.
Klein’s Department Store: A Sign Shows as Building Renovated
As the facade to 44 Main Street was removed for renovations yesterday, a sign of Klein’s Department Store could still be seen underneath the debris - literally. Although faded, the unmistakable black lettering and painted font could still be recognized - highlighted in the pink box - by those who walked past. It’s unknown what will happen to the faded paint letters, or what the new building will look like upon completion by Frederick William Hoag architects.
The original Klein’s Department Store sign, which could be seen on Main Street yesterday as construction crews peeled back the facade covering it since 2004.
Photo by Westport-News.
New Neighbors: Capuli Restaurant to Downtown Area
Capuli Restaurant, a Californian-Mediterranean Fusion spot owned by Westporter Armando Brito, will be opening this month - and maybe as early as next week. The new restaurant will be at 143 Post Road East, the former location of Westport Pizzeria. This is the only location for the family—owned business, which will provide mainly take-out based service. Their telephone number once open will be: 203-557-9340. Contributed photos & reporting.
Wet Weather Deters Downtown Shoppers as End-of-Year Sales Continue
As sales marking the end of 2020 continue at shops on Main Street, wet weather and cool temperatures created a raw day to shop - detering the usual Sunday afternoon crowds.
Looking Back: 2020 in Photos | May
In celebration of the new year, The Westport Local Press is looking back at the past 12 months in Westport. Throughout the day, viewers can follow the year through published photographs representing the community.
In a year filled with so much sadness, not all things were bad as the community grew together during what will forever be known as the year of the pandemic.
Happy New Year.
Joey Romeo and Betsy Kravitz open Joey’s By the Shore featuring Elvira Mae’s Coffee Bar at the famous Old Mill beach institution.
Photo taken on May 1st. This is when businesses slowly began to re-open and understand the two main rules that were being introduced: wear a mask, and remain 6 feet apart. Joey’s by the Shore at the former Elvira’s re-opened this year new, starting off as a contactless, socially distant establishment. The local coffee and food stop would prove essential for the many community members who lived in the surrounding neighborhoods, not wanting to enter local grocery stores, as it would offer essential food and cleaning items as supplies were available. Photos by Jaime Bairaktaris
