Ribbon Cutting for STEAM, Uncle Leo’s on Railroad Place
(L-R): Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker, State Senator Will Haskell, State Representative Stephanie Thomas, Owner Bob Glaser, First Selectman Jim Marpe, Owner "Uncle Leo" Spinelli, Bobbi Spinelli, Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Mandell, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (contributed photo)Westport Weston Chamber of CommerceSteam Coffee & Tea opens on Railroad Place on the corner of Riverside Avenue. Offering not only Coffee and Tea for morning commuters, but will also feature Uncle Leo’s Donuts. Sited in the historic building that once was the first Post Office for both Saugatuck and Westport, they will have automated mailboxes for rent as well. This was the third ribbon cut on RR Place in as many weeks signaling a full resurgence of business on that integral street.
Fleisher’s Craft Butchery Closed through August
A poster found taped to the doors Monday night, a scene noticed at all locations. Fleisher’s Craft Butchery at 580 Riverside Avenue closed down suddenly last week, and according to the corporate office’s posters - will remain closed through the month of August. Fleisher’s corporate offices couldn’t be reached for comment, however neighbors and customers described the sudden closures as a result of a possible personnel dispute. Fleisher’s was founded in 2004 with the mission to bring pasture fed meats to customers, with locations located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Greenwich - all of which join the Westport location with locked doors and empty display cases. Originally beginning as the Saugatuck Craft Butchery in the current Saugatuck Sweets storefront, the small butcher’s shop merged with Fleisher’s in the larger location across the street in Saugatuck Center a few years after its 2011 opening. There’s no word on how the local shops handled the product remaining in the storefronts’ freezers and coolers, or how local restaurants and farmers are making up for the void in supply and demand.
Outpost Plans Saturday Soft Re-Opening; “Westporters have been extremely supportive during our reconstruction“ Owner Says
Outpost Pizza owner, Joe Dedovic (l), and two staff members take a break during preparation for the planned re-opening of the eatery on August 7. Dedovic, who said preparations are in place for a “soft opening” this weekend added, "Westporters have been extremely supportive during our reconstruction - there have been constant inquiries about when we will start-up again.” The business, located at 333 Main Street, opened in November and closed for the past six weeks after a vehicle smashed into the front of the building in the early morning hours of June 27. Dave Matlow for WestportLocal.com
New Neighbors: “Local to Market” brings Local Groceries Back to Main Street; Open until 2 Today
Rita and Chris Marcocci in front of their new store, Local to Market, during today’s Farm Stand. Anna Aron, of Little Bits Pottery, displays her work during today’s farm stand. A Staples Class of 2013 graduate, Aron attributes her passion and skill to the SHS pottery and sculpture teacher Jaclyn Jeselnik - who helped give her a “home” in the pottery room while a student. With Connecticut farmers and artisans standing with them, Westporters Chris and Rita Marcocci are bringing local love back to 177 Main Street with their new shop: Local to Market. The shop will focus on items made, grown, or produced in Connecticut - with a portion of their profits going towards local charities. Open until 2:00 today as a farm stand, they expect to be fully open within the next three weeks - bringing Groceries back to Downtown.
Located in the historic Remarkable Book Shop storefront, the Marcoccis - with local artisans and farmers - are celebrating their arrival to the community with a weekend Farm Stand, planned for every weekend at the corner of lower Main Street. The farm stand includes locally grown produce and fruits, locally sourced milk, and products created by Westport artists.
Envisioned as place where downtown neighbors and merchants can stop for groceries on their way home, or for downtown shoppers to enjoy some of the local artwork and wares, “We’re bringing groceries and locally made items back to downtown” Chris described.
Peter Stack and Jen Cozak, both of Fairfield, displayed Easton’s Silverman’s Farms produce and fresh donuts along with other locally sourced items, such as milk and local corn. “Everything needs to come from Connecticut” Chris continued as he spoke about the items they’ll be displaying. Chris and his wife Rita live in Westport, with Chris owning another locally owned business, StreetMarc marketing. The pair saw the need to continue this past year’s push to support local - turning it into their mission.
That mission: Eat Well, Live Well, Do Well. They’ll support it by carrying it throughout the shop as they feature local foods, arts, and even music seven days per week. When describing the “Do Well” mission, Chris continued: “A portion of all profits will go towards local charities, back into the community.”
Local to Market is located at 177 Main Street and is planning to open fully within the next three weeks. For now, the Marcoccis plan to have farm stands, like today’s, on the weekends from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.
