Lunch Rush at Manna Toast
Manna Toast on Church Lane was busy today during the lunch rush, as many flocked to take up a seat in the sun.
Outdoor Dining under the Sun
Today’s sunshine made for a beautiful afternoon lunch on the sidewalk at Rye Ridge Deli.
La Fenice Gelato Takes Shape on Main Street
The former Lucky Brand Jeans shop has taken shape as Westport’s newest Italian gelateria, La Fenice. The shop was awaiting the import of a speciality gelato display case from Italy, but has quickly revamped the former clothing store in preparation for their opening - including the installation of PepsiCo’s new Hello Goodness machines, shown left.
Manna Toast Receives DoorDash Relief Funds
The Hartford Courant reports that Westport’s Manna Toast was awarded DoorDash Relief Funds through their COVID-19 grant program this month. The program assisted 91 other Connecticut restaurants in keeping their doors open when social distancing and winter temperatures hinder their ability to seat customers.
92 struggling Connecticut restaurants to receive DoorDash relief funds
By Kaitlin McCallum From the Hartford Courant, 03/11/21Ninety-two Connecticut restaurants, from a handful of Subways to Hartford’s Black-Eyed Sally’s and the North House in Avon, will receive $5,000 grants through the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund to help restaurants keep their doors open during the coronavirus pandemic. The funds, through DoorDash’s Main Street Strong effort, can be used to cover covid-related expenses like PPE and expansion of outdoor dining, as well as operating costs like rent and payroll.
“The restaurant industry has been hit so hard over the past year, and it’s critical we save as many local restaurants as possible so they can be part of Connecticut’s post-COVID economic recovery,” said Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association in a release Thursday.
In January, DoorDash, which delivers food from nearly 700 restaurants in the Hartford area, announced a $500,000 donation to the fund, and the Connecticut Restaurant Association later called for private and corporate donations to meet the overwhelming need.
Just three days after the fund began taking applications, more than 570 restaurants had applied.
“I would love to give out grants to everyone that’s eligible, and for that we’d need $5 million, not half a million,” Dolch said at the time.
Dolch said checks will be sent to the restaurants next week, “exactly one year from the state-mandated shutdown of in-person dining,” that began a wave of layoffs and restaurant closures.
Though Gov. Ned Lamont last week lifted the capacity restrictions on indoor dining, the 6-foot social distancing requirement means many smaller places will remain limited. More than 100 restaurants that didn’t officially close are in hibernation until warm weather returns and the vaccine rollout boosts consumer confidence. An 11 p.m. curfew that remains in place has also taken a toll.
According to the CRA release, the restaurants selected to receive the grant are spread across the state and are among Connecticut’s hardest hit.
All Gone: Former Klein’s Storefront Demolished
Amidst renovations to the upper Main Street area, the former Klein’s Department store, and most recently the shuttered Banana Republic, has been nearly demolished. The building’s original facade and sign was exposed for over a month while work progressed on the project.
Westport Wash & Wax, No More: New Signs Complete Transition
Splash Car Wash has claimed their newest signage on Post Road East as the former Westport Wash & Wax signs were taken down this week for the brand’s blue and yellow insignia. The locally-owned predecessor was founded by the Tiefenthaler family in 1999 and was a Westport institution until its sale in November 2020.
Haus of Pretty, Nataliya Lalor Photography to Saugatuck Center
Haus of Pretty Nail & Makeup Salon and N. Lalor Photography will be moving to Saugatuck Center at 575 Riverside Avenue, between Saugatuck Sweets and SeaKayak Connecticut. Haus of Pretty makes the short move from their former location on Railroad Place, while N. Lalor Photography is moving from Riverside section of Greenwich. They’ll be occupying the space of the former DownUnder shop, which closed in 2019. There’s no word on their opening day.
Rizzuto’s Adds Private Igloos with Electric Fireplaces for Pandemic Eating
Rizzuto’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant will be adding a new choice for private outdoor dining: personal igloos. The plastic structures include lighting and individual electric fireplaces for customers. The igloo fad has been hitting the Northeast as proprietors try to come up with ways to allow diners to remain warm while socially distant. Staff said the igloos would be ready for the upcoming weekend.
“We’re So Excited!” Bookworms Rejoice with Barnes & Noble Opening, Creating a Beautiful Home for Books
The Main Hall at downtown Westport’s Barnes & NobleCustomers were welcomed with open doors this warm afternoon.Although closed for just a few months - Westport’s largest bookshop was missed as customers made their way into the new Barnes & Noble at 76 Post Road East on their grand opening debut today.
The opening of the store marks a continuation of the revival of Downtown Westport, which has experienced several years of renovations and vacant storefronts. With commercial properties in the business district quickly being taken off of the hot pandemic market, Westporters are excited to start the next chapter in the community’s story with the store that specializes in stories.
Natural wood frames the bright colours of the children’s section. High ceilings and large windows create a home for books. The new Barnes & Noble location took over the historic space from Restoration Hardware, and continued the former tenant’s natural, luxurious aesthetic - creating a space that deserves an in-person visit just as much for the design as it does for its contents. Warm, natural hardwood shelves and high, ornate ceilings frame the rustic wooden floorboards and stone tiles that customers pace over while searching for a title. The former location resembled a commercial brand with efficiency in-mind. Now, walking into the building brings one a feeling of walking into the home of an old bibliophilic friend.
Exploring the books was welcomed.While stepping off of the sidewalk into the bright main hall, visitors are greeted by fresh flowers and hand sanitizer as staff mill around to assist in locating their favorite book or other items. Off of the main hall are the stacks - designed like small caves that allow customers to linger over a few pages of a new novel without being in the way of others.
Stone & wood floors create an upscale book shopping experience. The location does not offer a café space - but staff were excited to describe the many options in Downtown, Westport for a quick bite, - something they hope will allow Barnes & Noble to contribute to the overall success of neighboring businesses. “Everyone has been so supportive” a staff member described as they spoke about preparing to open this week. “Other shop owners came to visit us here, and we were able to go visit them and see their stores while meeting them. It’s a great community of people who support each other.”
From the sidewalk - cheering could be heard, “We’re so excited!” two customers yelled as they burst through the main entry doors into the hall, followed by kids dancing in the foyer before they sprinted towards the children’s section at the back of the store.
Staff members watched as the space came alive. “That’s what we’re most excited about.”
The store entrance sits across Post Road East from the newly renovated Bedford Square. Barnes & Noble Opens Today as Downtown Continues its Revival
Westport’s Barnes & Noble at 76 Post Road East opens officially today to the public, a sign that Westport’s Downtown will continue its revival amidst a pandemic. The store is described as cleverly designed with just as many titles as the former location. Although there is no cafe, Barnes & Noble described an excitement that customers would consider enjoying the many local shops downtown.