Adam Jacobson

Pet Pantry Warehouse on Grove Street To Install Two ‘Pet Washing Stations’

By |

A Grove Street pet specialty retailer that long has supported canine-related causes in New Canaan and surrounding towns is expanding its offerings with a new service for dog owners. Pet Pantry Warehouse is installing pet washing stations at the store and hopes to have the new facilities in place next month, according to Executive Vice President Adam Jacobson. Already in place at three of Pet Pantry’s seven area locations, the pet washing stations are specifically designed for dogs, Jacobson told NewCanaanite.com. 

“Our washes are raised washes so people can be standing and not hunching over in uncomfortable positions as if bathing in bathtub or shower at home,” Jacobson said. “So it’s much more comfortable for a client to use. On top of that, we provide all shampoo and towels at no additional charge and we are responsible for cleanup after the dogs are bathed.”

Dog owners are also provided with waterproof smocks so they can wash their dogs, he said.

Business

Property Owner: Ice Cream Purveyor Finalizing Lease for Former Baskin Robbins Space

By |

The owner of the Main Street building long occupied by Baskin Robbins said she’s finalizing an agreement that will see a different ice cream purveyor move into the commercial space. Former site of the iconic Gramophone Shop music store, 103 Main St. since 2002 has been occupied by Baskin Robbins, which owner Anna Valente-Krolikowski closed Saturday. Terry Spring of Cody Real Estate LLC said the ownership company is “in the process of finalizing a lease with another ice cream store.”

“We have been working with Anna on this, she has done such a great job and will be a hard act to follow,” Spring told NewCanaanite.com in an email. “We will announce soon.”

Cody Real Estate LLC also owns 97 Main St.

Business

‘Riverside Pediatrics’ Opens on Vitti Street

By |

Daughter of a cardiothoracic surgeon and a nurse, Dr. Karen Beckman thought early on that her career in medicine might lead to a specialty in psychiatry. 

The Guilford native double-majored in Spanish and psychology at Tufts University, and went on to enter Tufts University School of Medicine. In her third year there, Beckman began to try different fields and “loved OBGYN,” she recalled Tuesday. “I loved delivering babies, I loved working with young moms, and with babies, and I just thought the whole thing was fascinating. And then I did my pediatrics rotation and I loved the kids. I just thought they were so fun and with the job, you are working a lot of hours, it can be a grind when you are a resident because you are working 100 hours and getting no sleep—and I found that I didn’t mind it when I was working with kids.

News

Letter: ‘Explore New Canaan’ Brings in $3,500 in Food Donations for Local Pantry

By |

On Thursday August 22nd the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce hosted ‘Explore New Canaan’ in a bid to attract people downtown and despite some initial rain it was extremely successful, raising $3,500 worth of food donations for the local Food Pantry. 

Even Santa Claus had a hand in the helping the local food pantry as he collected over $400 in cash donations at the sidewalk sales this past July. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of Walter Stewart’s Market. Stewart’s orders and delivers items for the food pantry that they have specifically asked for. The power or partnerships at work in NC! Local, New Canaan moms Rachel Lampen and Kristen Mitrakis, who run Rock Paper Scissors Events were tasked with changing up the Taste of the Town premise, while keeping it fun with the emphasis being the local Food Pantry.

Around Town

New Canaan ‘Taste Tours’ Set for Thursday

By |

The creators of a popular food-centered event that’s run for seven years in downtown New Canaan say they’ve reimagined it in a way that focuses the experience for attendees as well as merchants. 

To be held 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, the New Canaan ‘Taste Tours’ offer four options for food-lovers, featuring signature bites from local restaurants, wine tasting, dessert and craft and draft beer sampling. Designed in partnership with locally owned Rock Paper Scissors Events, the Taste Tours carry on the tradition of welcoming residents back to New Canaan at summer’s end, according to Laura Budd of the Chamber of Commerce. 

“Adults or couples might choose the beer or wine tour, while larger families or anyone not interested in beer endwise could do the tasting and then families with really young kids could do the dessert tour, which is a much smaller footprint,” Budd said. 

Referring to the predecessor ‘Taste of the Town’ event, Budd said the Taste Tours were “customized to different groups as opposed to just one tour for everyone. 

“I think that we are going for a higher quality experience for both the strollers and the merchants who are so generous with their donations,” she said. A portion of all proceeds will go toward the New Canaan Food Pantry. The four Taste Tours options encompass between four and 12 stops, as follows (purchase tickets here):

“Taste Crawl”—up to 12 stops ($15 now or $20 on the day)
“Dessert Dash”—up to four stops ($10/$15)
“Wine Tasting Trail”—up to six stops ($20/$25)
“Beer Tasting Trail”—up to six stops ($20/$25)

Taste Tour-goers will be identified by a wristband that can be picked up in front of The Playhouse on Elm Street. Those buying same-day tickets may do so in front of The Playhouse starting at 5 p.m. The event is on, rain or shine.