Himes Visits Small Businesses in Westport

Westport Now, Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Congressman Jim Himes kicked off his “17 Towns in 17 Days” tour of his district with a 90-minute visit in Westport today and found most retailers cautiously optimistic. Accompanied by First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, the freshman Democratic congressman, who faces Republican state Sen. Dan Debicella in November, visited nine businesses along Main Street and on Post Road East to gauge the retail economy.

“Small businesses are the key to job growth in Connecticut,” Himes told reporters following him. “If they are hiring, the economy will get better.”

First stop was Faye Kim Designs jewelry store at Main Street Commons, 190 Main St. “We are doing quite well,” Kim said. “Business is increasing and we are expanding, but we could use some help in financing.”

At nearby Mirabelle Cheese, co-owner Damon Itin said the business environment was challenging and having vacant stores nearby did not help. “We deal in perishables and need the foot traffic to get people here,” he told Himes.

Next stop was upstairs to Sally’s Place, a Main Street mainstay where owner Sally White told Himes she financed her entire inventory personally. “I am lucky,” she said. “I am the boss and can do what I like.” She said business was okay.

Looking around, Himes told White one of his favorites was jazz great Louis Jordan but that he has had a hard time finding his recordings. White smiled and led him to one of the racks where she showed him several CDs by Jordan. Himes bought one of them.

It was then on to Achorn’s Pharmacy where 20-year owner Edwin Levinstim told him business was slow and then asked Himes his position on pending federal legislation affecting community pharmacies.

Levinstim said the bill would help “level the playing field” by giving community pharmacists the same leverage as large chains in negotiating terms of contracts with pharmacy benefit managers. Himes said he was a strong supporter of the legislation.

“You get this bill passed and I will name the pharmacy after you,” he told Himes.

At Oscar’s Deli, it was a busy lunch time and Himes had only a few words with owner Lee Papageorge. “Business is not bad,” Papageorge said.

At Max’s Art Supply, owner Shirley Mellor was serving multiple customers and said things did not get busy until just before Himes walked in. “You came at the busiest time,” she said as she helped a customer carry some packages to her car. “I wish it were like this all the time.”

A quick ride to Compo Acres led to Silver’s of Westport where owner Stephen Silver said business was slow but that he was managing. “Health care, health care, health care,” he replied when Himes asked him what were his most pressing issues.

A quick stop across the street at the Compo Barber shop brought unexpected praise from owner Tom Ghianuly, who has been there since 1959. “You’re doing a great job,’ Ghianuly said, pausing for a moment from cutting a customer’s hair to greet the congressman.

“Barber shops are always a good place to pick up on what’s happening in a community,” Himes said, adding that it was gratifying to hear someone he’s never met before tell him he was doing a good job.

Then it was on to the final nearby stop—Gold’s. There he ordered a corn beef on a roll to go, heard from Deli employees that business was good, chatted with a few customers, said his goodbyes, and rushed off to a meeting in New Canaan.