A quiet August week in New Canaan remained just that—unhappily so for some, with GOP primaries for nonlocal races—though a single-car accident (no serious injuries) on Weed Street Friday caused a stir for many on that side of town, as police closed the road for several hours.
Alex Hutchins, our summer intern, participates in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
Under the Dog Star of summer, many residents sticking around town spent some time poolside, while others took up the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, including New Canaanite summer intern Alex Hutchins (NCHS ’15).
Outdoors-lovers additionally were invited by the volunteer group that supports our New Canaan tree warden to participate in a “Notable Trees Register” for the town, by nominating large trees of every species.
Here’s the Week in Review.
The Silk Purse at 118 Main St. will close in September, officials say, after 41 years in New Canaan. Credit: Michael Dinan
Town Talker
“Sad to see it go…” “Shame …” “We still have a chair we bought from them 20 years ago …” These were some of the reactions we heard from locals on breaking the news this week that The Silk Purse, a furniture consignment shop in New Canaan since 1973, would be closing its doors.
It isn’t clear just when The Silk Purse is closing (or just why), though a worker there said the shop likely would be open through September. We’ll post again if and when we hear about any special closing specials.
Lauren Palladino stands behind the Italian Ice freezer inside of Candy Scoop. Credit: Alex Hutchins
Business
New Canaan businesses are preparing for this Thursday’s “Taste of the Town Stroll” from the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce—a cool, fun, interactive event that benefits the increasingly important New Canaan Food Pantry. The stroll starts at 6 p.m. at one of three registration tables right on Elm Street.
Speaking of Elm Street, residents who remember one sweet summer fixture, The Sweet Shoppe’s Italian ices, can take a trip down memory lane as they’re offered up at The Candy Scoop, New Canaan’s award-winning candy shop at the end of the alley at the top of Elm.
Finally, Terry wrote up a review of the food at Locali, the Italian eatery (pizza, and far more) at the corner of Forest and Locust. Check out their business listing here on Biz Direct, the New Canaanite’s directory, and post a rating and review if you want to share your experience with fellow foodies.
The proposed plan for the shed and pergola—marked here as a “gazebo,” which it is not—for 51 Weed St.
Construction
Though it’s a slow season in pretty much every other corner of New Canaan, land use and development rolls on …
One Weed Street resident’s plan to install a shed (and pergola) on the back of her property was adjusted at a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting after a neighbor raised some concerns about its visibility.
We reported on a trend in town of increasingly more swimming pools being created on private properties, and shared the welcome news that the state is going to re-pave Route 106 between the Merritt Parkway and South Avenue (next month, it’ll take a week).
A look at the new extension off the back of Town Hall, on Aug. 13, 2014. Credit: Michael Dinan
The Town Hall renovation continues to roll on as planned, with a target re-opening of May 2015, and we’re seeing a home built (it appears to have a lot of concrete foundation underneath, as the area is known to be swampy) at the bottom of the Putnam/White Oak Shade sledding hill.
Our Animals
In sad news this week, we learned of a baby mink that appeared to have broken its back after being hit by a car out on Wahackme Road. It was put down. We also heard an update on coyote sightings in New Canaan—three more last week, bringing the reported 2014 total to 40.
Public Safety
Finally, police had a busy week and the chief told us of the department’s plans to use data in a new way for traffic enforcement. Ongoing investigations by the police include one into an Omega watch that appeared to have been stolen from a New Canaan home after a doorstep delivery, and another report of a home burglary (jewelry, totaling about $2,700—same as the watch).