Supporting Small
Shoppers support Savvy + Grace, one of Main Street’s locally owned businesses, during the Westport Downtown Association’s Sidewalk Sales. WestportLocal.com photo
New Neighbor: Former Le Penguin Storefront turns Italian as “Casa Me” comes to Sconset Square
As both interior and exterior renovations continue, Casa Me has quietly announced their arrival into the Downtown Westport community through a small poster on their soon-to-be front doorway. The former location of Le Penguin’s French Bistrot, Casa Me describes itself as a cafe, restaurant, and bar space. No word yet on when the new neighbor plans to open their doors. WestportLocal.com photo
New Neighbors: “Mexicue” brings Mexican + Barbecue to Main Street in former Bobby Q’s building
Filling newly renovated storefronts, Mexicue has announced their opening in Westport with a second floor restaurant space at 38 Main Street. The restaurant group has several locations in New York City, one in Washington, DC, and one in Stamford - with Westport and a Bethesda, Maryland location both being their newest openings. The company’s website describes it as a fusion of barbecue and traditional Mexican meals that began in a Manhattan food truck by founder Thomas Kelly.
The restaurant brings barbecue back to one of Westport’s most famous spaces - the former home of Bobby Q’s barbecue. The locally owned barbecue joint closed in 2016 as part of a natural end to their decade+ run in the community, with owner Bob LeRose adding to the downtown dinner scene while helping found the Blues, Views, and BBQ festival. LeRose passed away in August after a battle with cancer, however his passion for the community lives on through the many groups he supported throughout the years.
New Neighbors: Gofer Ice Cream coming to PRE, Neighboring Fortuna’s Deli
Gofer Franchise Systems LLC. ReleaseToday Gofer Ice Cream announced it will hold a Grand Opening for its new Ridgefield shop on Sunday, November 21, 2021. The company also announced a new ninth area shop will open in Westport in the Spring of 2022.
After many months of construction the Ridgefield shop at 407 Main Street is ready to officially open its doors. Early customer reaction has been positive according to new Franchisee Partner Eric Barrow. “We have been working hard to ramp up the crew and I am very happy with the initial response from the community” he commented. “I have been a member of the local Rotary Club for almost a year and we look forward to getting even more involved in the community now that we are open.” The new location is the chains largest to date and includes a Party Room space in the back of the shop in addition to the full line up of Gofer Ice Cream products. The Grand Opening will be November 21st from 12:30 to 4pm and will feature giveaways, face painting and part of the proceeds will go to local charity Filling in the Blanks to fight childhood hunger.
The company also announced a lease has been signed by new Franchisee Partner Hasni Waheed at 1240 Post Road in Westport, Connecticut. The shopping plaza in the Greens Farms area of town is next to Crate and Barrel. “The location was carefully selected and has many great neighboring tenants like the CT School of Music, Fortuna’s Deli, Splatterbox and many others in the center that provide a great flow of traffic from all demographics.” Commented Jay Ragusa, CEO of Gofer Franchise Systems. “Gofer has a variety of products and something for everybody. With our premium soft and hard serve, plant based and fat free options, I am confident the diverse set of neighboring businesses will benefit from our shop as well. It is a great location with great parking and several nearby schools. I like that it is away from the Main Street area of town. I believe it is similar to the neighborhood Greenwich shop on the Cos Cob town line that has been a huge success since opening in 2003.
Gofer Ice Cream continues to expand in the Fairfield County area and is currently looking to grow upstate in Connecticut as well into nearby Westchester County and Long Island New York areas in the future. Work also is currently underway for opening the eighth location, second in Stamford, at 2367 Summer Street in the Ridgeway Shopping Center. An early 2022 opening is planned. “If all goes as planned we hope to enter our 20th season with nine operating shops.” mentioned Ragusa. “It's been quite a journey for our family and it's great to see the success replicate to other communities, crew members and especially to the Franchise Partner’s family”.