Business

Papyrus on Elm Street To Close

By |

A stationery shop that fronts both Elm Street and Morse Court is closing, officials say. Papyrus at 32 Elm St. is liquidating and doesn’t have a firm closing date, though the store is shutting down, according to one of its workers. 

The news comes as the retail chain announces that it’s closing all 450 Papyrus locations nationwide. 

In New Canaan, the change comes amid several others in downtown stores. Nantucket Monogram on Morse Court is moving onto Elm to share space with Taylor Luggage, while the Adirondack Store & Gallery prepares to move into the former Family Britches space across Elm. Another store that New Canaanites long have gone to for greeting cards, Mackenzie’s, also is closing this month.

Business

‘Gofer Ice Cream’ To Open in Baskin Robbins Space This Spring

By |

An ice cream franchise that’s served the area for 17 years is taking over the Baskin Robbins space in downtown New Canaan, officials say. Gofer Ice Cream is on track to open in the spring at 103 Main St., according to a press release from the company. Owners Jordan and Dina Savitt had purchased a Darien location in 2016 and they also own and operate a Gofer shop in Wilton, according to a company press release. “My wife and I are overly excited to bring Gofer Ice Cream to the hallowed ground where Baskin Robbins was located for so many years,” Jordan Savitt said in the release. “We hope the community will enjoy our ice cream of more than 40 different flavors, our famous Razzle and many other wonderful products that Gofer has to offer.”

Baskin Robbins closed last month after local owner Anna Valente-Krolikowski retired. 

Jay Ragusa, founder of Gofer Ice Cream, said in the release, “All involved are excited to bring the Gofer Ice Cream brand to this family friendly community.

Business

‘The Adirondack Store’ To Open on Elm Street

By |

A Lake Placid, N.Y.-based retailer whose offerings include a range of gifts, glassware, pillows and home decor items is planning to occupy a prominent commercial space on Elm Street that’s been vacant since April 2018. The Adirondack Store & Gallery has filed plans for its exterior renovation at 39 Em St. with Planning & Zoning. 

“The Adirondack Store was in New Canaan from 1995 to 2009 and closed that location due to differences with the landlord,” according to a narrative submitted with the plans. “They are looking forward to reopening in New Canaan.”

The two-level store had been occupied for about 40 years by Family Britches, which moved to Main Street. Before that a restaurant, notably the iconic Pierre’s or “Izzy’s Place,” as it commonly was known, operated there from 1944 to 1976.

Business

Mackenzies To Close at Month’s End

By |

Saying they can’t make the business work, the owners of Mackenzies are closing the iconic downtown New Canaan shop this month, according to a sign posted on the door. Owned since August 2018 by Heather Washington, the South Avenue mainstay is to close Jan. 28, she said in the sign. “Due to the high rent prices, other operational cost increases and a decline in local shopping, we have been forced to close our doors,” the sign said. “Our operating expenses are too high and we can no longer continue financially.

Business

Property Owner: Ice Cream Purveyor Finalizing Lease for Former Baskin Robbins Space

By |

The owner of the Main Street building long occupied by Baskin Robbins said she’s finalizing an agreement that will see a different ice cream purveyor move into the commercial space. Former site of the iconic Gramophone Shop music store, 103 Main St. since 2002 has been occupied by Baskin Robbins, which owner Anna Valente-Krolikowski closed Saturday. Terry Spring of Cody Real Estate LLC said the ownership company is “in the process of finalizing a lease with another ice cream store.”

“We have been working with Anna on this, she has done such a great job and will be a hard act to follow,” Spring told NewCanaanite.com in an email. “We will announce soon.”

Cody Real Estate LLC also owns 97 Main St.