Business

‘We Really Want to be Part of the Community’: Friends Open Nail Salon on Vitti Street

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Longtime friends Silvia Narvaez and Maggie San had already worked for six years in nail salons before they decided a few months ago to open their own business. The pair found a place to realize their shared vision in New Canaan. “About two months ago we found this space” Narvaez said from the floor of ‘Studio 3 Spa & Nails.’

Located on the street-level floor of a single-story building at 36 Vitti St., the newly renovated space features five spa pedicure chairs, numerous manicure stations, a wall rack with color options and a facial room in the back. Much of the labor to make the space ready was done by the women themselves and Narvaez’s brother, they said. “The painting, the decorations, we all did ourselves,” Narvaez said, pointing out the different jobs.

Business

‘Gingerbitz’ on Elm Street To Close Friday

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Gingerbitz, an eat-in bakery launched on Elm Street more than four years ago by a New Canaan couple, is to close Friday. Karen Zuckert said she and her husband, Andrew, have forged many new friendships through the business and “are very sorry to leave.”

“We really wanted to create something very special for the town,” she saId. “We live in town, we care about it. It’s disappointing. There is just not enough business in town to keep going and to the standard that we would like to keep it.”

Named after a sobriquet that had been bestowed on Karen by her late father-in-law, Donald Zuckert, the cozy shop offered her signature baked goods—including custom cakes, cupcakes and cookies—as well as an eclectic menu of sandwiches, salads, coffees and more.

Government

‘Pop Up Park’ Under Threat As Organizers Scramble for Insurance, Town Approval

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The Police Commission voted unanimously Wednesday night to require the organizers of the Pup Up Park to return next month with proof of insurance and coordination with the town in order to retain a planned six-week road closure needed to operate the makeshift gathering space. In the past, officials noted during the Commission’s regular meeting, the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce had provided insurance and also coordinated with the town, though a separate, small group of volunteers oversaw the actual day-to-day operation of the summer park at South and Elm. Yet “the sponsoring organization obviously has withdrawn from the entire concept,” Commission Chairman Sperry DeCew said at the group’s regular meeting, held at the New Canaan Police Department. “So at this point, we have a group of five well-meaning citizens who want to have a Pop Up Park, but at this point there is no appointed liaison to the town of New Canaan. So far as we know, there is no approval by the town of New Canaan on the special permit level, and there is certainly no insurance.

Business

‘Funky Monkey’ Children’s Store on South Avenue To Close

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Funky Monkey, a children’s games, toys and clothing shop located on South Avenue is closing its doors after a little more than two years in town. The store at 4 South Ave. opened in late May 2016. It isn’t clear just when it’s closing, whether it’s reopening elsewhere, whether patrons can purchase items online after it’s closed or just why it’s closing. The business’s owner, Amanda Cui, said only that it’s closing due to future renovations planned for the building, declining to comment further. The shop offers items curated by Cui, a local mother herself, designed to appeal to children of all ages.

Business

New Canaan Music Earns ‘Business of the Year’ Honors

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Now more than ever, it takes both a special kind of business and business owner to succeed. New Canaan has seen many stores open and close their doors, and among those a special few have stayed up and running while being loved by our town’s residents. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tucker Murphy said New Canaan Music owner and town resident Phil Williams may be seen as a model for other businesses. “For retail to survive in a town like New Canaan, it has to be about the experience,” Murphy said. “Phil has done just that.”

On June 27, Williams will be recognized as “Business of the Year” during the Chamber’s Annual Awards Luncheon.