Westport Library Plans Memorial Day Weekend Booksale
Press ReleaseWhatever you have planned for this summer, you’ll undoubtedly want a few great books at your side!
The Westport Library and Westport Book Sale are delighted to announce the 2021 Memorial Day Weekend Book Sale. With thousands of gently used books in over 40 categories, and audio books, CDs, and DVDs, there will be something for everyone.
The sale will be held inside the Westport Library on Friday, May 28th from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday, May 29th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, May 30th from noon to 5:00 pm. The Library will also be open for normal operations on Friday and Saturday. COVID-19 health and safety measures including social distancing and mask wearing will be required.
“It’s beginning to feel a lot more normal!” said Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer. “The Memorial Day parade, all of the downtown activities, and now the book sale. The sale is an important revenue source for the Library and we are very grateful to the Westport Book Sale team and dozens of volunteers for their tireless efforts.”
“Westport Library Book Sale Events are a beloved community tradition that we are proud to continue. As in years past, we are especially pleased to hold the book sale the same weekend as the Westport Downtown Association’s annual Fine Arts Festival — another great reason to visit Westport,” said Jocelyn Barandiaran, President of Westport Book Sale Ventures, which operates the book sale. “Everyone is also invited to stop in at the Westport Book Shop, our recently-opened nonprofit used bookstore, located right across the green from the Library, at 23 Jesup Road.”
To volunteer at the Book Sale, email volunteers@westportbooksale.org
Escaping the Rain at Dinner: A Sign of the Times
Customers at The Whelk escape the brief downpour this evening during the renowned restaurant’s dinner service. The Whelk is one of many restaurants who rose to the challenge of continuing to provide gourmet food and a high caliber of service despite the indoor eating capacities.
New Neighbors: Glowbar to Elm Street; “Westport Was the Obvious Choice”
Left-right: Matthew Mandell (wwcc) Rep Jonathan Steinberg, Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Co-owner Rachel Liverman, First Selectman Jim Marpe, Co-owner Neha Govindraj, and manager Amy Lundin. Contributed photo. Glowbar, a premium 30-minute-facial boutique, celebrated their opening today at 33 Elm Street. The small shop, owned by Rachel Liverman and Neha Govindraj, joins the brand’s two other locations located on Manhattan - both in Tribeca and the UES.
While speaking with the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, Liverman said “"We wanted to expand into Connecticut and Westport was the obvious choice.” She continued to say “Everyone has been so welcoming, this was the right choice."
The facial space offers both memberships and one-off appointments in the newly constructed storefront behind historic Brooks Corners. Facials are performed by trained estheticians and are done with COVID-19 precautions in place.
Business as Usual for the Joey’s by the Shore as the Building Hits the Real Estate Market
Joey’s By the Shore, at the site of the former Elvira's, was busy this afternoon as beach crowds converged on the historic corner store for lunch. Joey’s By the Shore with Elvira Mae’s Coffee, on the corner of Hills Point Road and Compo Hill Avenue, has opened for the season with hours from 8 AM - 4 PM daily.
The building was recently listed for sale by Coldwell Banker for $1,687,000. Built in 1900, it is described as the only viable commercial property in the zone that is viable for business.
Welcome Back: Curio Cottage on Imperial Avenue Reopening
Photo by The Westport Woman’s Club. According to the Westport Woman’s Club, the Curio Cottage thrift shop at 44 Imperial Avenue will be reopening this week. The shop will be open on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM, and sells vintage and antique items such as jewelry and housewares.
The Curio Cottage is run by volunteers with the Westport Woman’s Club, and has raised over $500,000 for the club’s philanthropic efforts. The club is celebrating their 114th year in service to the community.
Anjali Rao McCormick Named YMCA’s New CEO
Press ReleaseAnjali Rao McCormick, the YMCA's new CEO. The Westport Weston Family YMCA has announced Anjali Rao McCormick as its new CEO. McCormick, a seasoned corporate professional with over a decade of experience as a YMCA executive, will begin her new job on May 1, 2021.
“After an exhaustive search, we are incredibly fortunate to have identified and hired a true transformational leader whose community focus, talent, and vision will ensure our viability for the next hundred years,” said Westport Weston Family YMCA’s Board President Jonathan Manela.
McCormick is passionate about the Y’s mission to bring meaningful growth and transformation to individuals and the communities it serves regardless of an individual’s needs, challenges, or goals. “I’m looking forward to working with the Board, staff team, and the extended Y community to strengthen the Y’s focus to be a vibrant, intergenerational community,” she said. McCormick’s first experience with the Y community was after her family moved to Summit, New Jersey, from New York City. Anjali joined the Summit Area YMCA as a Director of Marketing in 2011; in 2015, she became the COO of the 4-branch, 550-employee institution. Her key priorities were revenue growth (membership, camp, childcare, programs), new business growth through partnerships and collaborations, ongoing digital transformation, and developing staff. Together with her team, McCormick led the opening of a $17 million facility in February 2020.
McCormick has three children and has lived in Summit for 20 years. Prior to working for the Y, she worked at American Express and at Citibank. She is a graduate of Harvard and has an MBA in Marketing from NYU’s Stern School of Business.
“It is with great enthusiasm we welcome Ms. McCormick as we seek to reengage our community post-pandemic, with an organization my great, great grandfather, E. T. Bedford founded in 1923,” said John McKinney, Chairman of the Y Board of Trustees.
The Westport Weston Family Y is ready to begin an exciting new chapter in its nearly century- old history. After the successful completion of a $28 million expansion and renovation project, which yielded a state-of-the-art gymnastics facility, additional wellness center space, and a revitalized Camp Mahackeno, the organization has emerged with fresh energy and functionality and is ready to welcome its community. For more information on membership or to schedule a tour of the 32-acre campus, please contact Danielle LeBrando at 203-226-8984 or dlebrando@westporty.org.
Dining Al Fresco at Basso on Jesup Road
Tonight’s warm weather and the invitation of live music had Basso Wine Bar busy tonight. The restaurant had applied for live music after their opening a few months ago, hoping to bring life to the usually quiet section of downtown by the Library.
New Neighbors: American Eagle’s “Unsubscribed” to Main Street
Unsubscribed joins the downtown area this Spring with fashion that’s eco-conscious and designed for a two season year instead of the typical four. Unsubscribed is a brand owned by American Eagle and was founded in June 2020, with only one store in East Hampton, New York. The new boutique takes over the former storefront of LF Stores.
New Neighbors: Mrs. London’s Artisan Bakery to Church Lane
Baked goods and sweet treets will once again grace the intersection of Elm Street and Church Lane as Mrs. London’s Artisan Bakery will be opening at 44 Church Lane. Mrs. London’s features the gastronomical work of former Greenwich Village pastry chefs Michael and Wendy London. “Mr. & Mrs London” sold the business in in 2014 to real estate developer Ryan Venezia, with their son Max London maintaining charge of the bakery and their operations, when financial troubles began to plague the business. (Times Union)
The founding duo began the pink-clad bakery in Saratoga Springs, New York in 1977; the New York Times described the bakery in 1983 as “a magnificently perfumed place where the aromas of vanilla and chocolate, almond paste and caramel, and jams and jellies intermingle.” (New York Times). Their Broadway, Saratoga Springs location remains their only location until the Westport shoppe opens. The downtown sweet spot will open for business this year, continuing to fill 44 Church Lane with baked breads and sugar dust after the closure of Aux Delices.
Mrs. London’s can be reached at their website.
New Neighbors: The Little Beet Vegetarian Restaurant to Post Road East
The Little Beet vegetarian restaurant will be joining stores like Free People and Fresh Market at 635 Post Road East, according to the Regency Centers announcement. Little Beet has locations throughout New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island - making this their first Connecticut location. Little Beet was founded in 2014 and focuses on ethical vegetarian meals. No word on when the Westport addition to the chain will be opening.
The Westport Row plaza is owned by Regency Centers, and currently has 9 vacancies within this specific property - which includes the plaza across the the Post Road, where Westport institutions like Westport Hardware rent. Regency Centers also owns Compo Acres plaza, where Trader Joe’s serves as their major tenant.