Lincoln's Log

Three days after the big snowstorm, most of Greenwich has been dug out. Greenwich Avenue was finally cleared of the mountain of snow clogging its narrow parking spaces.

But Old Greenwich – as evident in these photos taken Wednesday morning – was in dire need of some attention from the Friars of Field Point Road. The major intersection in OG – corner of Arcadia and Sound Beach – was still down to a single lane of passage. None of the parking spaces on the western side of Sound Beach Avenue was usable.

Maybe the town can blame this, too, on the state DOT and CL&P. That has been the pattern after every storm now.

Boaters get no respect.

We are always the first line of offense for distressed local officials looking to squeeze more revenues out of the citizenry. Consider this recent article in the Greenwich Time written by reporter Neil Vigdor:

Now take a look at this photo I took of the parking lot at Greenwich Cove.

For the first time in 10 years, there are empty spots at the Greenwich Cove lot, which is traditionally packed in winter with boats stuffed in with only inches separating their beams. I estimate a decrease of 15 to 20 boats. One theory is that the town has increased storage fees so much that commercial marinas – which provide power and water to boot – are now viable alternatives to town storage. Assuming a decline of 15 boats, that is a revenue loss of $9,000 to the town (on an average of $600 which is what I pay).

So what was intended to be a revenue generator may in fact be a net revenue loss. I hope the town learns a lesson here. At some point, you’re just driving the business elsewhere.

To be clear, I do support charging a penalty for boaters who are delinquent and who leave their boats on the lot well beyond the annual hauling dates.

But the town needs to weigh the net effect of increased fees. Sometimes, it just doesn’t pay.

In retail, you know you’ve got a winner when the neighbors put up a sign telling your customers not to park in their spaces.

That happened less than a week after Fairway Market opened on Canal Street in Stamford – it’s about a chip shot away from Exit 8 off I-95. The 80,000-square-foot store has the largest inventory of organic and ethnic foods I have ever seen under one roof. Over its first weekend, the crowds resembled that of an oversold rock concert. Entire sections devoted to organic vegetables, kosher foods, ethnic sauces of all flavors, olive oil, coffee, cheese; and multiple stations serving prepared foods … Fairway is destined to change food-shopping patterns all over Lower Fairfield County.

For one thing, it’s eight minutes from Exit 5 in Old Greenwich. That’s a lot less pain for me than to have to drive across town to the tiny Whole Foods in Downtown Greenwich. It’s also less than half the time to get to the Whole Foods in Darien.

Fairway will affect other competitors as well – from Costco’s to Stu Leonard’s to Trader Joe’s. I feel bad for the small mom and pops – I can think of at least three fish shops in Greenwich that will be impacted. I was amazed Fairway had grouper, red snapper, monk fish and black cod available at the counter.

On the other hand, I have seen this movie before – a grocer opens and stocks up on everything and gradually eliminates items that don”t sell well. The difference here is that Fairway may have the scale to keep the experience consistent and choices varied. Fairway is all about choices. I don”t think they will diverge from that core strategy. But time will tell …

A reader sent in this photo of the Greenwich Time Pub in Detroit. Sounds like a cool place, except it’s in Detroit. Here are the photo and a description of the restaurant:

Restaurant Description
Greenwich Time Pub is a restaurant that allows all customers to benefit from a neighborhood feel of family run business. You’ll feel right at home here in work boots or a tuxedo. Family run for the past 45 years, Greenwich is a Detroit staple. The menu consists of fresh, crisp salads including the Burger ‘n Greens and Crispy Chicken Salad, piled high sandwiches such as the Stacked Ham and Corned Beef sandwich, fresh handmade burgers made daily, and other American favorites. The recipes are true family secrets and only the freshest and highest quality ingredients are used. Greenwich’s burger was nominated as one of Detroit’s Best Burgers by the Detroit Freepress, once you try one you’ll know why. All it takes is one visit to Greenwich Time Pub and you’ll see what the locals are raving about. The knowledgeable and courteous staff at Greenwich Time Pub ensures a pleasurable dining experience.

Greenwich Time Pub also offers a private banquet center that can be reserved for your next event and off-site catering to your office or personal event. Our professional staff will work with you to create a menu that is as unique as you are. Greenwich’s catering menu consists of everything from Prime Rib and Crab Legs to Pizza and Mostaccioli, our Authentic Mexican catering selections are exceptional. To discuss your personal catering needs in full please call us today. We look forward to sharing our family recipes with your family.

Coldwell Banker issued a report Tuesday on affordability of homes in the US. It’s the first of its kind: A snapshot of average cost of a four bedroom, two bath house.

The average for the country is $353,000.

Newport, CA, is the most expensive. Detroit is the most “affordable.”

Greenwich is $1,195,614.

Good report. Fun to read.

Like many residents I am grateful that the town Planning and Zoning Commission rejected the application to locate a bank in Cos Cob at the site of the restaurant Bella Nona. That entire strip on the Post Road is being taken over by bank branches. Can’t be good for the business mix in that section of town. Certainly is not good for the public aesthetic.

But is it legal to turn down an application just because you don’t like the type of business? After all, the PZC had approved numerous other banks. What if the glut had been for clothing stores or restaurants? Does the commission have the right to legislate tastes?

Click her for story

Speaking of the Post Road, Has anyone tried driving across town in the morning rush hour lately? I recently had an 8 a.m. meeting off of King Street. I thought I gave myself plenty of time when I left my house in Riverside at 7:30, but I barely had enough time to make my appointment.

It took almost a half hour to drive across Greenwich.

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I deleted my recent post on the Greenwich Police’s lack of equipment. I got universally slammed on that post by readers. Plus, the police department said I made numerous errors. It’s the second post I have trashed since I started my Greenwich blog 18 months ago.

I can’t wait for my Sunday paper tomorrow and the article illuminating Wilton’s unique school district which has one school for each grade instead of multiple neighborhood schools such as what we have in Greenwich.

This is not a new issue. Former First Selectman Jim Lash told me about this idea at a breakfast meeting several years ago and I posted a blog on it. When Lash made his decision not to seek re-election he made his politically suicidal proposal to cut back on Greenwich’s 11 elementary schools.

Now that Wilton is ranked No. 1 in the state for its aggregated standardized test scores, the idea deserves another look.

Think about the cost of running 11 schools, 11 different facilities, 11 different support staffs, 11 coaches, 11 nursing offices, 11 cafeterias.

The Greenwich Time has been doing an excellent job of covering the schools in Greenwich this year. This is yet another example of its commitment to great local investigative journalism.