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Ellie’s, Westport’s venerable long-time eatery, scheduled to reopen in March! - Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Frank V. Formisano of Taunton, Massachusetts is leasing Ellie’s Place, and plans to reopen the longtime Westport restaurant featuring a seafood and Italian menu. An enclosed outdoor seating courtyard with five to six tables is planned with an awning covering the area. Ellie’s closed December 2008 when the chef/manager left for another opportunity in the food service business. Victor and Deanna Vieira ran Ellie’s for about seven years until their lease expired at the end of December. The lease was not renewed. Peg and Kerm Dessert of Westport were long-time owners prior to the restaurant’s sale to Paul and Joan Amaral. Owner Joan Casey Amaral had intended to sell Ellie’s, the Main Road restaurant that has been in her family since 1999. She instead has decided to lease it to Formisano. Kerm and Peg Dessert had run Ellie’s for 20 years, taking over from the late Ellie Taylor who founded the restaurant in 1977 and ran it for about three years. Formisano, a former manager of Quito’s Restaurant and Seafood Marketplace on Thames Street in Bristol, plans to be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Once the restaurant has cleaned up a few outstanding issues like emergency lighting and the stoves’ ventilation system, it can open. A tentative date is set for March, 2010. Ellie’s Place was recently granted a full liquor license by the town. The Amaral family, who has owned the property at the corner of Main and Cornell roads since 1999, had planned to take over and operate the 60-seat family-style restaurant. Some minor modifications were made to the interior, but essentially the building remains the same. Formisano said he is not renovating the interior. Following the way of VHS, Westport’s only full video rental outlet closes its doors. – October 25, 2009 Is this the end of mom and pop video stores? Sue Ubiera thinks so as she pulls the plug on Village Video. But she’s not alone. Blockbuster’s Dartmouth store is now closed and liquidating their inventory. And recent news from Netflix and Hollywood’s studios has video store retailers scrambling. Click here to read more about the industry’s turmoil and the demise of Westport’s last rental outlet. Rooms with a view! – Posted Thursday, September 03, 2009 Lafrance Hospitality moves forward with New Bedford Marriott - Inn to be located directly across from the historic Bourne Counting House at Merrill’s Wharf. The South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corp. recently approved a Small Business Administration Loan to enable Westport-based Lafrance Hospitality to construct a five-story, 106-room Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites in New Bedford. The loan was arranged through Bristol County Savings Bank. “I feel this hotel is a statement to our vision for New Bedford and exactly the kind of catalyst for continued growth or the tourist component of this great seaport community,” said Richard Lafrance, president of Lafrance Hospitality. “The Marriott affiliation is a wonderful complement to our other area properties and will open up other avenues for growth for Lafrance Hospitality. I am confident that the community will provide strong support for this project.” The Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites will be located at 185 MacArthur Boulevard (16 Front Street) on a 1.6 acre parcel in the downtown waterfront. The hotel will be the cities only contemporary, first-class, commercial hotel and will include 78 standard rooms, 28 suites, indoor pool, and a conference and business center. The grand opening will take place on June 1, 2010. The hotel will connect to a historic, granite whale oil refinery building that will be preserved and converted into a conference center that will accommodate 150 people. The former Baker-Robinson Oil Works building will undergo exterior renovations to coincide with the hotel’s opening, and interior renovations will likely begin next fall. The project’s official groundbreaking was held August, 2009. “In this tough economic environment, Bristol County Savings Bank, in conjunction with SEED was pleased to offer Lafrance Hospitality financing for construction of their newest hotel. This hotel will be a statement to the progress the City of New Bedford has made to attract business travelers and tourists,” said Len Sullivan, executive vice president and senior loan officer for Bristol County Savings Bank. Bufftree Building Company project manager Anthony DiGiantommaso noted thet the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott will be the first downtown hotel for New Bedford in 40 years. Westport Market Place puts on the ritz! - Posted July 28, 2009 Westport Market’s owner, Rabih Salibi, took over the long-time Route 177 liquor and variety store two years ago last April, and has really spruced up the business since, both inside and out. “The addition of new coolers has allowed us to really open up the place.” The freshened-up exterior promotes a friendly and “we appreciate your business” shopping experience. Recently, Mr. Salibi offered his extra cooler space for the storage of weekend-picked produce from the Town Farm’s new community garden prior to it being delivered to the Westport Senior Center on Monday mornings. Contact them at (508) 636-5252. - - - - End - - - -

Buds by the Sea introduces new menu for 2010. Also offers community beach activities - Wednesday, May 05, 2010 Bud’s by the Sea, in its 2nd season has expanded and improved its menu offerings for 2010. “We have added many changes this year,” Bud’s Steve Ferreira said. · Steamed lobster to the menu provided by Westport's own Tim Field · Steak sandwiches (Portuguese-garlic, hot pepper, beer and pepper and onion) · We also added whole belly clams · West coast fish taco (lightly battered fish with a chipotle aioli sauce, cilantro, pico da gaio, and shredded romaine) · We went back to the 1/2 pound burger Click here to view their new menu. Ferreira also pointed out a few item changes to the food side of Bud’s. “We have doubled our ice cream selection and added hot fudge sundaes, and now offer our own frozen iced tea (which is like Del’s, but iced tea) served in raspberry and lemon,” he said.   “Tyler Tripp, son of Carl Tripp from Tripp's boat yard, was promoted to kitchen manager and will be responsible for continuing the stellar food quality you have come to expect from Bud's,” Ferreira said. “Tyler brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.  His past experience includes: The Back Eddy, and the Kozy Nook to name a few.  He is finishing up his bachelor’s degree this May from Johnson and Wales University.” Bud’s announces Beach Clean Up on May 21st Ferreira released details on the upcoming Beach Cleanup. “All are welcome to join us. Please email us at budsbythebeach.com to express interest so that we can ensure we have enough tools for cleanup,” Ferreira said. The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Friday, May 21. Meet at the Horseneck Beach State Reservation Parking Lot followed by $1 ice cream cone at Bud's. “We are trying to do our part keeping the beach and the parking lot we use clean,” Ferreira said. All necessary cleaning tools will be provided by the beach and the bags will be picked up by the highway department  Village Bicycle shutters it doors. Thursday, December 24, 2009 In a devastating loss to Central Village and our entire community, Village Bicycle has decided to cease operations as of Christmas Eve. This community-oriented business had served Westport for many years and gave much of themselves in assisting local charities. Most notable was their sponsorship of the annual Bike Challenge, in concert with Citizens-Union Savings Bank, to raise money for Saint Anne’s Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center. “Thank you for the many years of business,” said store owner Jim Lebelle. “Due to the tough economy we have had to go out of business. Our mechanic John will be opening his own repair shop soon so he will contact you if you had a free tune up and make sure you know where his store is for future service. We wish you happy and safe holidays! Thank you for many great years of business!” The high-end bicycle shop was known for promoting comprehensive nutritional programs and for providing dietary guidance for its fitness and athletic curriculums, services not usually found at an independent retailer. Store owner Jim Lebelle and his professional staff will be missed. Lebelle is perhaps best known for his involvement in the 2009 RAAM bicycle marathon, a competition against hundreds of other cyclists over some 3,000 miles and across 14 states. On June 20, the Buzzards Bay Coalition member and owner of Westport’s Village Bicycle, under the banner Team Save Buzzards Bay, embarked with his team on an epic journey of a lifetime.  Jim Lebelle and teammate, Tim Bryant, competed against hundreds of other cyclists over some 3,000 miles and across 14 states - starting in Oceanside, California and ending in Annapolis, Maryland.  The Race Across America (RAAM) usually lasts 12 days.  If Jim and Tim wanted to win, they would need to finish in nine. The race, considered the most grueling of its kind, is 806 miles or 26 percent longer than the Tour de France and attracts both amateur and professional racers from around the world.  The route included climbs of more than 100,000 feet, and without any scheduled breaks the clock ticked until the racers crossed the finish line. Lebelle kicked off his 3000 mile coast-to-coast marathon on June 20. Team Lebelle finished 5th, arriving in Annapolis on Tuesday, June 27, 2009. They covered 3021 miles in 7 days, 8 hours and 42 minutes! Read about Jim’s planning for his epic RAAM journey across America. Read about Jim’s Odyssey across America. It has been reported that Lebelle has plans to move to the Carolinas to get involved in a camping enterprise. Our wishes for success go with him and his family. Lebelle has finished one journey; it’s time now for another. Odds and ends plus imagination and talent equal artisan furniture. – November 22, 2009 Nate Edgcomb has a formula for success. He takes one old coffee table top, add the step legs from a horse carriage, and attach these to an antique blanket chest. What does he get - a whimsical new piece of furniture unlike any of its pieces. An impressive illustration of ‘the sum being greater than the total of its parts.’ “Original, and one-of-a-kind,” the proprietor of Westport’s newest artisan studio said with a disarming smile. That's the idea behind Busted Stuff, a new workshop tucked just to the side of Partner’s Village Store in Westport. Read more about Busted Stuff. Singlez Zone expands local area networking! – Posted Thursday, August 13, 2009 For all you computer geeks out there, this isn’t a new local internet connection, but a social network for single professionals from 30 to whatever. Founded by brother/sister combo Martin and Maddy Costa at Martin’s home on Old County Road, Singlez Zone is about “meeting people face-to-face” according to Maddy Costa. Visit their website at www.singlezzone.com where you can learn more about the social networking club and register for upcoming events. Martin and Maddie Costa (shown left) began this endeavor in response to a need for unique single activities in the Southcoast area. They like to think out-of-the-box and create fun activities for trendy professionals. Some of their gatherings offer Relation Stations where various holistic practitioners will “provide body, mind and spirit services, including Reiki massage, tarot card readings, and relaxation techniques; or simply to meet over a cup of coffee and discuss the day’s events,” according to Martin Costa. Visit EverythingWestport.com’s event calendar to stay abreast of future social gatherings, meetings and events from this new business venture. Fred & Ann’s may get a new life as Goodfellows! - Saturday, June 27, 2009 It’s easy to pass the little run-down red building with the cupola on top off Main Road and feel a little nostalgic. But all that might change as Fred & Ann’s may get a new life. This august former restaurant was very popular with countless older patrons from Providence, Newport, Fall River, and Westport over the years, and many were saddened when the Quicks retired and sold the property in 2004. “We offered a great family-style menu at affordable prices,” Jerry Quick said. The Lafrance Hospitality Company acquired the 16.6-acre Main Road property when the proposed timeshare project Copperhorse Inn fell apart. They are now considering an Italian-style family-oriented, 75-seat, brick oven pizzeria named Goodfellows. Sean Lafrance said recently that they hope to obtain a full liquor license, and a request has been made to the Board of Selectmen. But the project is in the holding stage as the Lafrance family is considering all the factors, not the least of which is the economy. “We want to be sure it’s cost-effective to renovate the building and obtain a liquor license,” Sean Lafrance said. “The electrical system, air-conditioning, hot water and septic systems all need to be replaced.” According to town records, Fred and Ann Robinson bought the land in 1948 and built the restaurant in 1957, eventually selling it to the Quick’s in 1974. John and Jerry Quick of Little Compton ran the Fred and Ann’s that today’s Westporter fondly remembers as the comfortable family-style restaurant they would visit every Sunday with their family. The property was sold in 2004, when it was acquired by Mr. Prentiss and the Lafrance family. Deborah Seavor (Tripp) of Pine Hill Road was just 17 when she started working at Fred & Ann’s in 1978. “It was a great job,” Seavor recalled. “We worked hard and fast for our money. Jerry (Quick) was everywhere; doing the books, cooking, cleaning. In the summertime we made a good living from the summer residents and tourists. My two sisters worked there too!” Storage facility is also “on-hold”. The Lafrances are looking to build 100 self-storage units in two 6,700 square foot buildings at the back (west) of the property, and then freshen up and reopen the old Fred & Ann’s Restaurant at a later time. Sean Lafrance noted that “construction of a self-storage complex will most likely begin first if current conditions improve.” The company has received approval from the Planning Board for the storage facility, and the Westport Economic Development Task Force has looked favorably on the project as it won’t be making a big impact on the neighborhood. “The plan to build the storage facilities is also on-hold for now,” Lafrance said.

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