Business

PHOTOS: New Canaan Music Settles in on Main Street

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As New Canaan families return to town for sports practices and the start of the school, musicians and those learning how to play instruments will have a brand-new hub for musical activities. New Canaan Music spent much of August moving into its newly renovated, expanded home at 90 Main St.—a brightly lit, inviting space that had served for a few years as the temporary Post Office. “We love the new space,” New Canaan Music owner Phil Williams said on a recent afternoon. “Just being on Main Street is wonderful, it’s awesome.”

The shop—a combination of retail in front with lesson rooms in the back—has a larger space to showcase its merchandise and has made use of it, in part, by offering the full line of Squier guitars, including their Classic Vibes from Fender for electric guitars. “We are adding more acoustic guitars—our acoustic guitars are going to be better—and we have twice as many lesson rooms as we had before with bigger, better soundproofing,” he said.

Business

‘Catherine H’ Opens at South and Elm in Downtown New Canaan

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An established women’s “lifestyle boutique” featuring casual yet chic clothing, shoes and accessories has opened in one of downtown New Canaan’s most conspicuous commercial spaces, at the corner of South Avenue and Elm Street. With one location in Katonah, N.Y., Catherine H opened at 48 Elm St. following suggestions from many of the shop’s Connecticut clients, according to assistant store manager Marsha Miranda. Founded and owned by Catherine Hiriart, Catherine H is a good fit for New Canaan because “the town is charming, and has a small town feel with an added touch of sophistication,” Miranda said. “The area draws clients who are looking for a shopping experience, that it isn’t found in a mall, but where specialty stores are found.”

Asked about Catherine H’s offerings, Miranda said Hiriart “doesn’t follow the trends.”

“Instead, she picks timeless garments that are unique and special,” Miranda said.

Around Town

PHOTOS: ‘Taste of the Town Stroll’ Draws Crowds To Downtown New Canaan

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Photos by Eden Neleman

Scores of foodies and shoppers descended on downtown New Canaan on Thursday night for the seventh annual Taste of the Town Stroll. Organized by the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, the event serves as a “food-raiser” for the local food pantry and this year also doubled as an eyeglasses and hearing aid donation drive for the venerable Lions Club. The event was a “big success,” according to the Chamber’s executive director, Tucker Murphy. “The food pantry will be overflowing,” Murphy said of the hundreds of donated food bags and items. “It was a beautiful night and how wonderful to see so much support for the Chamber, food pantry and town of New Canaan.” —Michael Dinan

Business

‘Taste of the Town Stroll’ Benefitting Food Pantry, Lions Club Set for Thursday Evening

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The weather forecast calls for clear, sunny skies on Thursday for New Canaan’s annual Taste of the Town Stroll. A “food-raiser” for the New Canaan Food Pantry that this year will double as a benefit for the Lions Club (see below), the Taste of the Town Stroll is to be held 6 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 24. Sponsored exclusively by Berkshire Hathaway New England Properties and organized by the Chamber of Commerce, this year’s event downtown will feature 24 participating shops and restaurants “that are going to provide food or a taste of some sort,” Chamber Executive Director Tucker Murphy said. “A new feature this year is that we partnered with the Lions Club so not only can people bring a food donation but you can bring gently used eyeglasses or hearing aids that will be refurbished and donated to people that need them,” she said.

Business

Boutique-Style ‘Shoe-Inn’ Store Coming To Elm Street

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A well-established, family-owned boutique-style shoe business is moving into the Elm Street space occupied until recently by Walin & Wolff. Shoe-Inn has eight tri-state area locations and members of the family that launched the business in 1972 travel each year to Italy and work with factories there that produce shoes exclusively for the U.S. company, officials said. Peter Lawson, a fourth-generation owner of Shoe-Inn, said the business hopes to open at 36 Elm St. by the end of October. “Westport is one of our better stores and we’ve always loved the area and we’re trying to expand,” Lawson told NewCanaanite.com.