Against The Grain

‘Discover New Canaan’ Launch Party

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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!

Business

Third Time’s the Charm: Spiga Opens on Main Street

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After two failed restaurant ventures at 136 Main St., owners of the recently opened Spiga are hoping to buck the trend that first sank Tuscan and more recently, Barolo. And if foot traffic and response are early indicators, it seems as though the third time is indeed the charm. Since its soft opening earlier this month, Spiga has New Canaan denizens abuzz with favorable and enthusiastic praise for their Northern Italian cuisine. The motto at Spiga is ‘Eat – Drink – Play,’ and while I personally can’t speak for the ‘play’ part of it there is something for everyone on the voluminous menu for diners of all types. Gone are Barolo’s sectioned dining areas, walk-in wine refrigerator and antipasti bar, replaced with a large, open space replete with oversized booths, communal tables with seating for 130 people.

Government

Schedule For South School Paving Project Is ‘Tight’

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The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved $334,675.01 in bonding for the repaving of the parking lot at South School, however, with only three weeks left to complete the project, there was just a hint of concern that it could interfere with the opening of school on Sept. 3. The project involves taking the old pavement up, replacing it with new pavement and re-striping the lot. But as Director of Public Works Mike Pastore explained, it involves “more than paving, we’re taking out seven islands, we’re repaving sidewalks, and we’re replacing the granite curbing… “

“The schedule is tight,” Pastore told the board. “The big hold-up will be, if we have a week’s worth of rain, we’re going to have a problem.”

Looking at the positives, First Selectman Rob Mallozzi said the town expected bids to come in as high as $400,000, “so this is a good number.”

Pastore said the town got two bids for the project – a third potential bidder couldn’t take the job due to schedule constraints.

Around Town

Everyone Happy To See Pop Up Park’s Return

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The opening of the Pop Up Park at South and Elm last Friday went smoothly. “Everybody seems happy to have it back,” Jeff Holland, a member of the Pop Up Park committee, said.  “We are seeing people that we haven’t seen since the last time we set up.”

The temporary park displayed a mixture of New Canaanites relaxing, talking, and eating under the shade of the new park umbrellas and children participating in the olympic-themed events hosted by the YMCA. Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation, the Pop Up Park committee was able to add pots full of radiant flower blossoms as well as more tables with varying heights. Tucker Murphy, a founding member of the Pop Up Park volunteer committee, said that the park “is supposed to be flexible.