Shop Newtown Summer Fest 2004 On July 23

Move over Westport, Newtown has been quietly but steadily gaining upscale shopping alternatives in clothing, decorating, home goods, foods and restaurants, environmentally “green” products, goods and services.

Years ago shoppers might have felt they had to travel to Westport, Stamford, or Greenwich to get the latest styles in fashions and home décor. But Newtown has changed, and Joe-Annis Iodice wants everyone to know it.

Ms Iodice, owner of Lulu’s Sisters in the Village Square Plaza, has organized Newtown’s Summer Fest 2004, a festival of mini boutiques and a sidewalk sale to be held on the green at the shopping center at 43 South Main Street from 5 to 9 pm on Friday, July 23.

The New York group Bisque will be playing the top pop music from throughout the decades as 22 retail shops and services assemble to show Newtown just what they have to offer.

“Newtown is more than just the flagpole and beautiful, pastoral horse country,” Ms Iodice said. “It’s a place for great fun and serious shopping.”

The idea for the event came out of casual breakfast meetings that several of the new women business owners had at Dunkin’ Donuts.

“We sort of lean on each other,” Ms Iodice said. “We also see each other at Chamber [of Commerce] meetings. Once a month or so, we meet and we talk about what we can do to grow. In addition to the fine work the Chamber has done, now that we are growing, we want to express that growth.”

Ms Iodice said that business owners like Janet Falkenthal of The Fashion Exchange are an inspiration to many of the newer women business owners.

“She has been here 20 years,” Ms Iodice said.

While shoppers used to feel that they had to go out of town to access many goods and services, that is simply not the case anymore, she said.

“You can get your nails done, find clothing up to size 28, get business and legal services, buy a computer and get it fixed, and find mom and pop or upscale dining. All kinds of niche businesses have developed here.

“We just feel Newtown has everything people need, plus we have destination shops. People come up this way from lower Fairfield County because we have something unique. The future of Newtown is very nicely poised because we are a destination town — to live, to shop, and to do business,” she said.

Ms Iodice and the other shop owners invite everyone to come and check them out at the Summer Fest 2004.

“If you must wear Juicy Couture, Lily Pulitzer, or Kenneth Cole shoes; if your children look adorable in Petite Bateau, Lucky, or Baby Lulu, [and] have the most fun and educational toys; if your home feels most comfortable with antiques, European imports, French pottery, Pierre Frey dishes, and the luxury of fine wines, and your lifestyle cannot be without silk flowers and stunning custom arrangements adorning your door and archways; if your special events must include elegantly designed floral arrangements, and your idea of a treasure hunt includes an exciting hat and brilliant accessories and some creative shopping alternatives, and if the timeless elegance of Eileen Fisher and Sigrid Olsen elude you in missy and plus sizes…well…do we have a shopping experience for you!” Ms Iodice said.

The merchants include Anthony’s Shoe Repair, Candy Bouquet, The Fashion Exchange, The Little Green Barn, Lulu’s Sisters, The Magic Garden, Nancy Bamberg Fine Catering, Newtown Computer, Newtown Financial Services, Our Green House, Petal Pushers, Shear Image, Steve’s Diner, Style, The Graceful Planet, The Pampered Chef, The Toy Tree, Victoria Yarrow, Wendy’s Nail Salon, and Yankee Wine & Spirits.