The owners of 91 Main St.—long home to Varnum’s Pharmacy—say they’ve received a number of inquiries from restaurateurs interested in occupying the 1940 building, but that they’re holding out for something more appropriate.
91 Main St. for years has been occupied by Varnum’s Pharmacy. It’s due to move down the hill very soon. Credit: Terry Dinan
New Canaan resident Terry Spring, who is part of a group that owns the commercial buildings from Varnum’s running south along Main Street—a stretch of popular retail shops in New Canaan that include mainstays Baskin-Robbins, The Toy Chest, Candy Nichols, Garelick & Herbs, People’s Bank and Handwright Gallery & Framing—said that to this point interest in the long, narrow Varnum’s space has been expressed by food businesses and “things that might compete with our current customers.”
“We want a retailer and something that will work out well with our other tenants,” Spring told NewCanaanite.com. “Young women’s accessories, for example, or exercise stuff.”
Varnum’s Pharmacy is poised to relocate into this larger space at 44 East Ave. Credit: Terry Dinan
The owners at Varnum’s could not immediately be reached for comment on the timing of their planned move to 44 East Ave. (next to Goldenberry, in that strip of businesses opposite East Avenue from Cherry Street East).
Spring said that the pharmacy is close, as it’s secured approval from state officials.
Varnum’s staff has said in the past that the newly renovated space will include all new fixtures and additional products.
Asked whether the building’s owners feel “pressed” to get a tenant in there straightaway, Spring said: “Every landlord is concerned, as you don’t want to lose rent, but no we’re not pressed. [The current tenant] still has a lease with us and we’re very happy to help with their transition.”