Shoppers on Wednesday took to downtown New Canaan in greater numbers than they had in weeks, as several “non-essential” retail stores reopened, with public health precautions, for the first time in more than two months. Asked how she felt about the milestone in New Canaan’s phased reopening, a gradual process guided by both state and local officials, regular downtown shopper Caroline Stuart said, “Woo-hoo.”
“It’s like Christmas has come early,” the Weston resident said while shopping inside J. McLaughlin on Elm Street. “I’m thrilled. We get to go back. We get to interact with people.
For today’s Q&A with a local business, we interviewed Against The Grain owner Chris Meier. The Main Street business (here on Instagram), selling handcrafted gifts and furniture, is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and offers FaceTime interactions as well as shipping and delivery, and curbside pickup. Here’s our interview. How are you doing? Chris Meier: Like all businesses, it has definitely been an adjustment period.
Spring is almost here and Treasure Hunt Tours feel that getting to know and support downtown – whether you are a resident or visitor is essential. That’s why we created a seasonal brochure, which will appeal to adults and kids and encourage them to walk, rediscover, shop and eat. This was an intensive labor of love, and as such we invite you to celebrate the official release at Against The Grain on Friday, March 22nd between 6-8pm. Wine, beer & snacks will be served!
Come to Against the Grain on Thursday, Dec. 13th to find the perfect holiday gift and support New Canaan Beautification League at the same time. On Thursday, Dec. 13th between 4 p.m. and 8pm, 10% of all sales will go to the New Canaan Beautification League. Wine and appetizers will by served by Chris and Neen of Against the Grain.
We’re entering the home stretch of Christmas shopping in New Canaan, as most every holiday shipping date has past. For anyone looking for great last-minute gift and stocking-stuffer ideas, we’ve created the gallery above—covering everything from $5 squishies for the kids to a $3,600 six-liter bottle of wine for the grownups. Though it’s not meant to be exhaustive—for example, we left off favorites such as the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce’s gift cards, New Canaan Historical Society’s ornaments and Philip Johnson Glass House’s design store items—the gallery represents a good cross-section of downtown merchants. As Laura Budd from the Chamber’s offices above the Playhouse on Elm Street said: “From our office on the ’50-yard line’ and from our interactions with store owners and managers, we know that New Canaan shoppers have embraced the ‘Shop Local’ movement. We know this is in no small part due to the tremendous effort the local businesses put in to the ‘experience’ of shopping here in New Canaan.
