Bankwell

‘It’s the Right Thing To Do’: Local Businesses Urge or Require Employees To Get Vaccinated

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Bankwell CEO Chris Gruseke and his management team already were tracking COVID-19 infection rates, deaths and government regulations related to the pandemic daily as the rollout of vaccines got underway earlier this year. The New Canaan-based company was in the early phases of its widely anticipated move into a new building at Elm and Grove Streets, and as workers moved into offices and cubicles, Gruseke and his managers “were encouraging people to get the vaccine, we were wearing our buttons and badges around the office,” he said. “Being an employer and being a public employer and being responsible for other people’s lives, also being a member of the community, we are monitoring this daily,” Gruseke, a New Canaan resident, said from his glass-windowed corner office at 258 Elm St. “What are the regulation changes and what is happening in Connecticut and what the CDC is saying? And we were always on the most conservative ends of the discussion.

Business

Podcast: Doug Stewart of Walter Stewart’s Market

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This week on 0684-Radi0, our free podcast (subscribe here in the iTunes Store), we talk to Doug Stewart of Walter Stewart’s Market, about how the past year of COVID-19-related restrictions has gone, what are store policies now that many of those state-mandated restrictions for businesses are lifting and how the Walter Stewart’s team is faring. Stewart also offers praise for New Canaan Health Director Jenn Eielson and her team of volunteers and support staff, including Anna Valente-Krolikowski, Tracey Karl and Jenny LaFond. Here are recent episodes of 0684-Radi0:

COVID-19 New Canaan

Podcast: Doug Stewart of Walter Stewart’s Market

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This week on 0684-Radi0, our free weekly podcast (subscribe here in the iTunes Store), we talk to town resident Doug Stewart of  Walter Stewart’s Market about how the Elm Street business is operating, serving customers and observing health and safety protocols during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Here are recent episodes of 0684-Radi0:

Ann Cheney

Local Business and COVID-19: Walter Stewart’s Market and Stewarts Spirits

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[Editor’s Note: During the town emergency due to COVID-19, NewCanaanite.com will publish a daily Q&A in our weekday newsletter with a local business about how it’s navigating the major change.]

We put several COVID-19-related questions to Ann Cheney, manager of Walter Stewart’s Market, and Doug Stewart, the local business’s vice president. Here’s our exchange. New Canaanite: What has the past week been like for you and the market/wine shop? Stewart’s: We have seen a substantial increase in customer in-store traffic, online orders, and phone calls. We are working hard to accommodate our customers and take care of our staff in challenging conditions.

Around Town

‘A Really Nice Way to Be Outside Together’: Outdoor Movie Night at Waveny Returns Friday

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A little more than three years ago, town resident Jonathan Breen came up with the idea of hosting a family-friendly outdoor movie night at Waveny Park. 

“I’ve always loved the idea of having outdoor movies,” he told NewCanaanite.com. 

“I just reached out to the town and pitched them the idea,” he added. With the blessing of the Recreation Department, Breen said he reached out to a number of sponsors around town. Steve Karl, vicepresident of Sales at Karl Chevrolet—one of the event’s sponsors—said the project has been “a grassroots effort.” “It seemed like a great idea, and over the last few years that we’ve done it it’s really been a nice event,” he said. 

“We actually have a lot of fun,” Karl added, “because there’s a little popcorn stand and it really feels like you’re going to a movie, but it’s a different kind of venue because you’re outdoors.” This year’s free Outdoor Movie Night will take place this Friday, Aug.