Shopping Local and the Health of Downtown New Canaan [Q&A]

By Michael Dinan | 2 hours ago

With happenings in downtown New Canaan top of mind for many these days, we decided to put some questions about the local business community to Laura Budd, executive director of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce.

Here’s our exchange.

New Construction Planned for Adams Lane

The town Building Department on April 9 received an application for a 6,500-square-foot home in southwestern New Canaan. (more…)
Op-Ed: Deceit on Weed Street

I didn’t expect to be back so soon, but if the horrors persist, so, I guess, must we.
Town Approves Contract for Re-Paving of 15 Roads

Town officials last week approved an approximately $2.8 million contract with a Norwalk-based company to pave 15 local roads this year.
Warrant: Police Use DNA To ID Suspect in Stolen Vehicle Case

New Canaan Police used DNA to identify and arrest a 19-year-old Branford man in the theft of a Range Rover last fall.
Op-Ed: Proposing a Task Force on Parking

As suggested in a recent comment thread on the New Canaanite, setting up a task force of town officials, business owners and citizens is a logical next step to address New Canaan’s downtown parking situation.
West Road Home Sells for $6,785,000

The following property transfer(s) were recorded recently in the Town Clerk’s office.
New Canaan Man, 35, Charged with Disorderly Conduct

Police last week arrested a 35-year-old New Canaan man and charged him with disorderly conduct.
Letters to the Editor

NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letters.
Volunteers Needed Saturday To Assist the VFW with Flag Placement at Lakeview Cemetery

One of the community’s favorite volunteer opportunities is coming this Saturday.
New Canaan There & Then: A Cold Case—The Tragic Murder of Mary Mount

‘New Canaan There & Then’ is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens Realtors Bettina Hegel, Joanne Santulli and Dawn Sterner. As any connoisseur of true crime mysteries knows, a cold case is an unsolved criminal investigation, typically involving a violent crime like murder or a missing person, that is no longer actively pursued by authorities due to a lack of evidence or leads.
Did You Hear … ?

(more…)
Geraldine M. Fager, 94

Geraldine M. Fager died peacefully in her sleep at her home in New Canaan on May 2, 2026, at the age of 94.
Letter to the Editor

NewCanaanite.com received the following letter to the editor.
Mid-Divorce from Convicted Sex Offender, New Canaan Man Seeks To Evict In-Laws

Still working through a divorce from a woman serving 4.5 years in prison for second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor, a New Canaan man is now seeking to evict her parents from his home.
Op-Ed: Was it Ever About Affordable Housing at Weed & Elm?

Last week it emerged that, after his four-year crusade for affordable housing at Weed and Elm streets, developer Arnold Karp has cooked up an alternative set of plans to build a 62-condo building that will contain precisely zero affordable units.
Two-Family Home Planned for East Avenue

The New Canaan Building Department on April 10 received an application for a new two-family home on East Avenue.

What You’re Saying …

“I write for the third time in this publication to advocate that the first 15 minutes in Elm Street should…”
— Rob Fryer on Op-Ed: Proposing a Task Force on Parking
“Getting kids on board at an early age is a great idea! I'm curious where do the compostable materials…”
— Lars Andersson on Letters to the Editor
“Thank you, Leo, for highlighting the importance of addressing the errand-focused customer. I agree with the sentiment behind “first 15…”
— Carl Franco on Op-Ed: Proposing a Task Force on Parking
“A link to the Jeff Speck event at the Library https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfCYOM20wWo”
— C. Hering on Op-Ed: Proposing a Task Force on Parking
“Great suggestions, Leo, as to be expected. The 15 minute idea is good, and Kevin hit it on the head.…”
— Chris Le Bris on Op-Ed: Proposing a Task Force on Parking
“YES to a parking task force. Everyone’s perspective counts!”
— Judy Gilroy on Op-Ed: Proposing a Task Force on Parking
“Leo, Thank you for your letter and insights. I completely agree with you about looking forward!…”
— Gaby Beecher on Op-Ed: Proposing a Task Force on Parking
“Leo, As a long time resident of NC, I often "target shop" in Elm Street. That is quickly pick-up…”
— Kevin McIntosh on Op-Ed: Proposing a Task Force on Parking
“I applaud teaching school children the importance of recycling. They can educate their parents.”
— Jill Ernst on Letters to the Editor
“I do love these ideas and agree that finding parking spots on Elm Street is much easier now.…”
— Maria Weingarten on Op-Ed: Proposing a Task Force on Parking
“Go back to marking tires every 2 hours. Going to town to support the merchants should be easy, not difficult.…”
— Charlene Petrucci on Letter to the Editor
“Town leadership to residents and merchants : "let them eat cake".”
— Richard Condon on Letter to the Editor
“It's wonderful to see our youngest students setting an example for the district regarding recycling and composting. Kudos to South…”
— Maria Magliacano on Letters to the Editor
“Agree...getting from the parking lot down to Elm Street is not an easy task for seniors with mobility issues. My…”
— Betty J. Lovastik on Letter to the Editor
“Elm Street is one of the Crown Jewels of New Canaan. It is the envy of Darien and Westport. We…”
— Gunnar Edelstein on Letter to the Editor
“The files, pictures, etc. show extreme violence, horrific and monstrous.”
— Thomas Little on New Canaan There & Then: A Cold Case—The Tragic Murder of Mary Mount
“Peter, I totally agree. Before the metered parking, the town took way too many parking spots. And…”
— Pamela McFeely on Letter to the Editor
“The town parking situation is critically bad, this is indisputable. Lack forward thinking a decade or two ago has…”
— Peter Bush Swanberg on Letter to the Editor
“Alrighty this thread is closed”
— Michael Dinan on Op-Ed: Was it Ever About Affordable Housing at Weed & Elm?

Events

Wed 13

HAYVN POWERUp: Featuring POWERChat Speakers Julie Vincent, Founder, The Gifted Life & Kelly Towart

May 13 @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Wed 13

Mahjong at the Nature Center

May 13 @ 12:45 pm

Wed 13

Preserving the Merritt Parkway: Partnerships at Work

May 13 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

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