Business

New Canaan businesses are the lifeblood not just of the “Magic Circle” downtown and other hubs of arts and commerce, but also are critical drivers and supporters of community events, human services and preserving the character of “The Next Station to Heaven.” In this section, we spotlight New Canaan businesses and profile their owners, in long-form interviews and spot features, celebrating our anchor businesses and welcoming those new to town.

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Recent Articles

After Five Years in New Canaan, Goldenberry Departs for Wilton Center

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After five years on Cherry Street, gourmet and specialty gift shop Goldenberry—which through 30 years the area has carved out a niche, offering English dinnerware and treats, among other unique items—has moved to Wilton, according to its owner. As the shop neared the end of its lease, Deb Hecht said she tried to find another space here, though ultimately Goldenberry was lured to Wilton Center. The shop has cultivated a large New Canaan customer base and “Wilton town center is close enough for our customers to continue to shop with us,” Hecht told NewCanaanite.com. 

“We know so many of our wonderful customers for many years—so many of them are like family. Children who played at our play table eventually went off to college and have come back and become customers themselves. Truly heart-warming and special. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Business, Local Merchants, Deb Hecht, Goldenberry

Family Britches Moves To Main Street

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After some 40 years on Elm Street, high-end clothing shop Family Britches on Wednesday will open in a new location at 99 Main St. in downtown New Canaan. The store will drop its women’s wear business, which its had for about 20 years, and “go back to our roots, which is just a men’s store,” longtime manager Mark Gust told NewCanaanite.com. 

“The location we had is just way too big, so we wanted a little bit more intimate setting in a highly trafficked area, and we found this spot,” Gust said as he and others moved merchandise into the new space, formerly occupied by Candy Nichols and long ago, locals will remember, by Gramophone Video. Family Britches had been on Elm Street since the space had been a restaurant, notably the iconic Pierre’s or “Izzy’s Place,” as it commonly was known that operated there from 1944 to 1976. Gust confirmed that Family Britches was dropping its women’s wear business because New Canaan now offers so many options along those lines. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Business, News, Family Britches, Pierre's

Review: ONE29 Restaurant on Elm Street

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After a 10-year run under the leadership of Chef Luis, his eponymous restaurant at 129 Elm St. has relaunched under new ownership and with a new name, look, menu and executive chef. While ONE29 Restaurant brings a different vibe to Elm Street with an American contemporary cuisine created by Chef Joe Page, longtime customers of Chef Luis will recognize a few of their favorite dishes from the pasta and appreciate that its family-friendly atmosphere has remained intact. When my husband, 4-year-old daughter and I walked into 129 one Saturday evening, we were promptly greeted by a cheerful hostess and directed to a table by the front window. The décor was sleek and modern with stunning crystal circular chandeliers that added just the right touch of elegance, yet the atmosphere remained warm and relaxing. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Business, Local Merchants, News, ONE29, ONE29 Restaurant

SNEAK PEEK: ‘Upper Crust Bagels’ Two to Three Weeks from Opening on South Avenue [Photos]

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Upper Crust Bakery & Café is about two to three weeks away from the widely anticipated opening of its bagel shop on South Avenue, according to the business’s owner. Charly Sahlia said the major work—construction, carpentry, electrical, major equipment installation—already is done, and what’s needed now is assembly of tables and chairs, shelving and storage in back and then bringing in inventory and training a new staff. New features of the interior will include a long rail with stools opposite the service counter, increasing the amount of seating space for patrons. The former tenant, Bruegger’s, took all of its own equipment out after closing in early December, Sahlia said, and nothing of the former bagel shop remains. New Canaan will be the third location for what’s commonly known as ‘Upper Crust Bagels,’ after Darien and Trumbull. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Business, Local Merchants, News, Charly Sahlia, Upper Crust Bagels

‘I Am Excited, I Am Happy’: Emad Aziz Opens Mead Park Lodge for 2018 Season

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As New Canaan thaws from the latest in a series of snowstorms, one sure harbinger of spring is stirring in Mead Park. Emad Aziz of the Apple Cart Food Co. has opened the Mead Park Lodge for the 2018 season, with several new items on the popular menu. “I am excited, I am happy,” Aziz said Tuesday from his pristine kitchen in the gourmet food hut. “I cannot wait until it warms up.”

The town resident is in the final year of a 5-year lease with the town. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Business, Local Merchants, News, Emad Aziz, Mead Park Lodge