Business

Local Businesses and COVID-19: ‘Swirl’ Frozen Yogurt

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For today’s Q&A with a local business, we talk to Sonny Yi, on-site owner of frozen yogurt shop Swirl. The popular Cherry Street business is open 12 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Yi is taking orders by phone and text (203-434-7726) as well as “walkups” to the shop who must remain at a safe distance outside. Those picking up are getting delivery to their cars. During our exchange, Yi credited his landlord, saying, “Brock Saxe and his family have always been supportive and understanding, and they truly care about their tenants.”

Here’s our interview.

Bon Fleur

Local Businesses and COVID-19: Bon Fleur

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For today’s Q&A with a New Canaan business owner, we talk to Madeline Macanka, owner of Bon Fleur. Macanka has owned the East Avenue floral boutique for nearly 20 years, and it’s been operating in town for more than a quarter-century. She’s in from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, urging customers to use the Bon Fleur website to place orders, and pick up when possible. 

Here’s our exchange. New Canaanite: How are you faring? Madeline Macanka: It’s Ok.

COVID-19 New Canaan

Town To Annual Parking Permit-Holders: Don’t Worry About Renewing Them Yet

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Those holding annual permits for New Canaan’s municipal parking lots need not worry just now about renewing them, officials said Monday. Typically, the Parking Bureau sends renewal notifications each May to permit-holders for lots such as the Lumberyard, Talmadge Hill and Park Street Lots. They expire June 30, just before the fiscal year begins. Yet this year, “[g]iven the current circumstances with regard to the COVID-19 virus, the Board of Selectman and Parking Commission are planning to extend the current permit year for the time period covering the state’s stay-at-home order and pro-rating next year’s permit fees,” according to Parking Manager Stacy Miltenberg. “For this reason, permit renewal applications will not be mailed out in May as they have been in the past,” Miltenberg said in a bulletin posted to the town’s website.

Aaron Lefland

Officials Reopen Parks for Trail-Walking Only

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Town officials on Sunday reopened New Canaan parks strictly for use of walking trails. Though park visitors may drive into places such as Waveny and Irwin, activities other than trail-walking—such as use of fields and playgrounds—are not permitted, with the sole exception of picking up to-go food from Mead Park Lodge, according to Emergency Management Director Mike Handler. “We trust that residents will use common sense and maintain proper social distancing,” Handler said in Saturday’s town-wide outcall. “If possible, we suggest that you wear a face covering. Again, this is just a suggestion and we leave it up to you to decide what is appropriate given your activity. We hope this reduces some of the congestion on our roadways.”

First Selectman Kevin Moynihan closed New Canaan parks March 30. Since then, New Canaan has lost an additional 17 people to COVID-19 virus, bringing the town’s total to 21.

Business

Local Businesses and COVID-19: Pesca Peruvian Bistro

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For today’s Q&A with a local business, we speak to Wilson Rodriguez, co-owner of Pesca Peruvian Bistro. Located at 70 Main St., the popular restaurant opened about 18 months ago. It’s open 4 to 8 p.m. daily and offers curbside pickup (turn off of Locust Avenue at Joe’s Pizza and drive past the pizzeria to the white fence in back). 

Here’s our interview. New Canaanite: How are you doing there? Wilson Rodriguez: Well we are doing an average of 10 orders per day.