Burglary of a Business 2021
Darien Police Night 03-01-17

Two Darien Businesses Burglarized the Weekend Before Christmas

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Darien police received reports of burglaries Saturday afternoon, Dec. 18 from two different businesses in town. One, on the Post Road, was missing some petty cash; at the other, on Old Kings Highway South, a safe was found on its side in a hallway. Police didn’t say how much petty cash was taken, or whether anything was stolen from the Old Kings Highway South location, nor did they name either business or even give its exact address. Police detectives went to each location and processed the scene for evidence.

Art Exhibits

Grieb’s Pharmacy Features ‘Off-the-Wall Holiday Art Sale’ of Works by Peter Saverine

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Grieb’s Pharmacy, a Darien landmark in its original location since 1947, “provides a highly visible space perfect to showcase local artwork” according to Deb Hibben, who is the owner with her husband, Chuck. — an announcement from the artist

As part of their ongoing exhibit of local art to benefit local nonprofit organizations, Darien native and artist Peter Saverine was invited back by Deb to show and sell more of his popular coastal artwork. Saverine’s collection which he calls, “Darien, I like the Sound of it,” features eight 18 x 24-inch prints on canvas inspired by local scenes. Each work will be for sale for $300 in what Deb is calling an “Off-the-Wall Holiday Art Sale” so purchasers can take home the artwork for holiday giving. Due to the success of the previous show that benefitted Darien Post 53, the artist and store owner will make a joint donation of $50 from each painting sold to benefit Darien Person-to-Person food pantry.

Business
Police

Wallet Stolen From a Woman at Work in Darien, Bank Card Charged for Hundreds of Dollars at CVS

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A woman at work at a business on Old Kings Highway South told police that she discovered her wallet was missing when she got text messages from her bank alerting her to fraudulent charges being attempted on her account. Darien police described what happened:

Sometime between 8 a.m. and 12:47 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17, the wallet was taken from her purse. Six attempts were made to buy items with her stolen bank card, and four of them were successful. The completed transactions amounted to $425.

Business

Your Might Win One of 6 Weekly Drawings for #DarienTogether $250 Gift Certificate

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The Corbin District is teaming up with The Darien Chamber of Commerce to spread the joy of the holiday season again this year to support our local retailers. 2021 continues to be a difficult time for our local businesses and it is important to support our local shops. — an announcement from the Darien Chamber of Commerce and The Corbin District

We have so many amazing businesses here in Darien, many of which are locally owned and operated, with incredible service and high quality and unique offerings. This Instagram/social media initiative between The Corbin District and The Darien Chamber of Commerce will enable us to support our community businesses and at the same time thank residents and visitors who choose to shop locally. Welcome back, #Darientogether!

Baywater Properties 2021
The Corbin District excavation

Baywater Properties Opens a New Chapter: Describes Staff Expansion, Plans Groundbreaking Ceremony Monday

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Days before the Monday groundbreaking ceremony for The Corbin District redevelopment downtown, Baywater Properties on Saturday formally announced the expansion and reallocation of members of its business’ staff as a result of the project. The Baywater team now includes Kate Perez and Marysa Fiorita, who will directly work on The Corbin Project, as well as Gary Hock will work with some other Baywater properties, allowing Doug Craybas, Baywater’s head of construction, to focus on the construction of The Corbin District. “I am so proud of the team that we have assembled over the years at Baywater Properties,” said David Genovese, CEO of Baywater. “Kate, Marysa and Gary will help us execute our development of The Corbin District, a legacy project for our company and our partners, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the town.”
Kate Perez: Corbin District Development
Kate Perez joined Baywater in December 2019 to oversee development of The Corbin District, 26 East Lane, and 34 Old Kings Highway South. 26 East Lane was completed this month and 34 Old Kings Highway South will be completed in January 2022.

Business

Familar Post Road Building Sold

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The distinctive, peach-colored downtown retail/residential building at 879-889 Boston Post Road has been sold, the broker announced. The fully leased property, just east of the Darien Railroad Station, has been the location of Darien Barber Shop for decades. other businesses in the 11,500-square-foot building are, Bar Vida, Jade Nail & Spa and recently signed retailer, Check Body-Mind. Along with the four retail spaces, the three-story building also has six two-bedroom apartments. Westport-based Saugatuck Commercial Real Estate represented Elm Associates of New Canaan in selling the property to an entity called Darien Post Road LLC.

Business
West Avenue utility closure

Darien Police Announce Traffic Restrictions on Two Darien Streets

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Darien police have announced parking restrictions on two Darien streets in connection with redevelopment projects — one in downtown Darien and another in Noroton Heights. In Noroton Heights, Edgerton Street “will be closed in both directions between West Avenue and Heights Road from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.” on Monday, Oct. 11, the announcement said. The closure is related to ongoing construction of the Darien Commons project by Federal Realty Investment Trust.

Business
Darien Commons prospective rendering

Darien Commons Development in Downtown Noroton to Open Stores in Fall 2022, Apartments in Spring

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Federal Realty Investment Trust says Darien Commons, its business/residential development being built in downtown Noroton Heights, will have new retail and restaurant tenants opening doors within 18 months, with some by the fall of 2022. Apartments can be reserved this coming January, and they should be available this coming Spring, the company says. — an announcement from Federal Realty
Timeline
A recent announcement from Federal Realty included these elements relating to timing that Darienite.com presents here as a single timeline:

—January 2022 — pre-leasing for apartments

—Fall 2022 — new stores begin to open

—”Within the next 18 months” (up to late February 2023) — other stores will open

— In Spring 2022, apartments are expected to be ready for occupancy, a publicist for Federal Realty said. When complete, Darien Commons will feature over 110,000 square feet of retail space and 122 apartments. Apartments for lease will have a range of sizes from studios to two-bedroom homes with secure, underground parking.

Business
Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week 2021

State Leaders: Shop for Your Family and Help Local Retailers During Sales Tax Free Week

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Connecticut’s 6.35 percent sales tax on clothing is eliminated during Sales Tax Free Week (through Saturday, Aug. 21) for clothing and footwear priced at less than $100 per item. Darien students return to schools in town on Monday, Aug. 30, a week before Labor Day. Something to keep in mind: Since sales tax is calculated after the use of any coupons or discounts, if the final price per item is less than $100, the sale is exempt from taxes.

Golf Tournaments 2021
Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament

All Proceeds from a New Fundraising Golf Tournament to Go to HonorBound Foundation

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A Bridgeport-based portable restroom company and a Southport law firm with a Darien office are hosting a golf tournament Monday, Aug. 23, with all proceeds being donated to the Darien-based HonorBound Foundation, which assists veterans. The Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament , will be played at the Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk. — an announcement from A Royal Flush

The co-hosts of the event are the Butler Tibbetts law firm of Southport and Darien (where Alfred Tibbetts of Darien is a founding partner) and A Royal Flush of Bridgeport. Since its founding in 1978, HonorBound’s mission has been to provide immediate assistance to U.S. military veterans and their families during times of crisis.

Business
Darien Place

New Tenants Moving Into Former Darien Playhouse Building

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Retail tenants and apartment renters are expected to start moving into the building that formerly housed the Darien Playhouse. Joe Vaccaro, a partner at V20 Group, said late last month that the building, now called Darien Place, could have retail tenants early in July. — an announcement from V20 Group

“We’re excited to complete construction and let our retail tenants start building out their spaces,’’ said Vaccaro, who has managed the Darien Place renovation alongside his father, Jon. “We think Darien Place is going to create a connection with the other businesses at that end of the Post Road that didn’t exist before.”

Joe Vaccaro said a part of that connection is the installation of red brick pavers to form the walkways and common areas on the north side and at the back of the century-old structure. Vaccaro said the pavers were used to match the walkways of the adjacent properties and added to the charm of the area.

Business
Darien Chamber of Commerce Logo 5-3-16

Kesti Aysseh Becomes New Darien Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

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Kesti Aysseh has been named the new executive director of the Darien Chamber of Commerce, and a new business manager, Reedie Karl, has been named the new business manager, the chamber announced. Most recently, Aysseh was executive development director of The Depot Youth Center. Karl was recently community relations associate for Maplewood Senior Living. Aysseh succeeds Susan Cator, who left the job in December after more than six and a half years. Karl succeeds Masako Sparks as business manager.

Business
Maura Carley

Darien Founder of Health Insurance Consulting Firm Launches Free Video Series

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Here’s a way to learn about the intricacies of health insurance coverage from one of the leading authorities in the U.S. – all without spending a dime. Maura Carley of Darien, founder and president of the health insurance consulting firm Healthcare Navigation LLC, also headquartered in town, has launched a free video series to educate people on basic health insurance coverage topics. — an announcement from Healthcare Navigation LLC

Each week, Carley and key staff focus on a different aspect of health insurance. Carley has already produced three segments. Health Insurance Basics includes brief videos on terms and concepts everyone should understand – the deductible, coinsurance, the network, COBRA coverage and the pros and cons of selecting it, and others.

Public Safety
Eversource tree trimming

Here Are Some Streets Where Eversource is Trimming, Cutting Down Trees in Darien in May and June

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Eversource is trimming and removing trees in Darien this month and in June as part of its ongoing work to reduce power outages during storms, and the utility has released a list of some streets where the tree work will take place. “In Darien, we’re doing tree work along some 60 miles of town roads this year, with crews from Lewis Tree Service doing the bulk of the work now through June,” a utility spokesman said. “Along with trimming, 111 hazardous trees are scheduled to be removed.” Schedule
Some of the work began earlier this month in the area of Tokeneke Road, Old Farm and Searles roads, Cliff Avenue and Raymond Street, a utility spokesman said. Here’s the rest of the schedule (all of the work is weather permitting, and schedules could change):

Late May:

Area includes Boston Post Road, Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Rings End Road, Noroton Avenue and Nearwater Lane

Early June: 

Boston Post Road, Old Kings Highway and Locust Hill Road
Eversource’s Tree Cutting Program
Here’s Eversource’s description of why the tree work is taking place and information on the utility’s tree program:

“As you know, Tropical Storm Isaias caused massive damage to the state, with thousands of trees being damaged or destroyed.

Business
David Genovese

David Genovese to Talk About Future Transformation of Downtown at DCA Annual Meeting

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The Darien Community Association invites the public to the organization’s Annual Meeting at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 20, to hear David Genovese, founder of Baywater Properties, discuss “The Transformation of Downtown Darien, a Look into the Future. ”

— an announcement from the DCA

This will be a virtual event. Registrants will receive an email with an access link the day before the event. David Genovese and his partner, Penny Glassmeyer, have developed several of
Darien’s now iconic properties, including Grove Street Plaza and 1020 Boston Post
Road, among others. After nearly 16 years of effort acquiring and assembling a total of over seven acres in downtown, and working with Darien’s boards and commissions in achieving zoning approvals, Baywater’s next project, The Corbin District, is about to begin construction.