Macaela J. Bennett
Greenwich Time
Greenwich, CT, United States
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Past articles by Macaela:
Rally Podcast: Newspaper publisher tells story of paper’s closure
Following careers working in New York City government and law, Steve Isenberg sort of fell into the newspaper business. His first job in the industry was working as assistant to David Laventhol, the publisher of Newsday, then owned by Times Mirror Co. Isenberg eventually became the publisher of Greenwich Time and Stamford Advocate, where he was tasked with improving the papers' financials. All… → Read More
Habitat: Home decor shop to open in Cos Cob
Inside a cozy Cos Cob shop, customers will soon find home decor and design goods sourced from around the world. Habitat's offerings range from a framed photo of a rescued llama named Marcy to furniture and handcrafted candles and throw blankets. "Everything here is handpicked by me," said Habitat owner Kim Caravella, a Greenwich resident. "Some things will be hard to part with." In the coming… → Read More
Former NFL player launches insurance agency in Greenwich
When Patrick Kerney describes his new business venture, his language includes things like "competing at this for years to come." It's evident that the mindset of Kerney, an 11-season National Football League defensive end, hasn't changed much in the transition between playing for the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks and becoming an insurance agent. Early on in Kerney's football career, a… → Read More
Property Rounds: Home rental market tight in southern Connecticut
Across southwestern Connecticut the market for single-family home rentals has become so tight that competition is stiff for most inventory. In the last two years, Realtors say, home buyers who are uneasy or uncertain about the home market have increasingly opted to rent a home for thousands per month rather than buy. The cause is partially generational differences, but the trend likely indicates… → Read More
Greenwich resident brings back the Chipwich
One of the biggest hurdles for David Clarke to overcome with his new business venture isn't a lack of brand recognition, but, in a way, too much. Last year, Clarke bought the trademark for Chipwich, which has been ranked as one of America's most iconic snacks. It's that summer staple featuring vanilla ice cream coated with chocolate chips and sandwiched between soft chocolate chip cookies. Seven… → Read More
Rally Podcast: Ad agency executive led company through unexpected turnaround
When Michael Duda took over as CEO of a New York City-based advertising agency, he thought the business was headed for big growth. Several weeks into his new job he realized things were not what they'd seemed. Before joining the company, Duda had hired professionals to review several years worth of financials. The firm looked stable. But, as is common in the industry, they hadn't discussed the… → Read More
Tesla’s Model 3 makes debut in Greenwich
While it's not for sale on site, Tesla's new Model 3 is now on display at the electric car company's Greenwich Avenue showroom. The sedan with a starting price of $35,000 arrived in Greenwich on Friday morning and will be available for customers to view and explore "indefinitely," according to the company. The new model has attracted nearly half a million pre-orders and is being rolled out to… → Read More
Transitions: Countdown Fitness plans new studio for Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich Avenue: Locally owned Countdown Fitness has plans to open a new studio on Greenwich Avenue. To date, owner Anel Dzafic has operated his company mostly from Rick Stebbins Performance Therapy in downtown Greenwich, which allows personal trainers like Dzafic to use its space. Dzafic's Countdown Fitness workout emphasizes high-intensity exercises done extremely slowly. The workouts last… → Read More
Greenwich firm redevelops Arch Street building for HQ
Father-and-son team Arthur and Jordan Sanders hope their latest real estate project will play a part in transforming downtown Greenwich's Arch Street. The president and executive vice president, respectively, of Greenwich-based Sanders Equities, a real estate investment and management firm, bought the property at 68 Arch St. last fall for $1.8 million, according to town property records. This… → Read More
Rally podcast: Lighting entrepreneurs overcome financial crisis, industry doubts
In 2009, just as the full effects of the financial crisis were being felt, two longtime friends decided to start a small business. Greenwich natives Ron Young and Bob Ostrander believed their business had huge growth potential, but some told them it was "just a fad." Their company was premised on the growing LED lighting industry. By 2010, the founders realized they had a lot of work to do… → Read More
New youth retailer opens shop on Greenwich Avenue
The owner of a new Greenwich Avenue retailer knows her business won't succeed if she relies only on selling clothing. That's why she chose the storefront at 50 Greenwich Ave. "I liked the spot because it looks like a runway," Fifi & Bella founder Felicia Salazar, of Armonk, N.Y., said. Its proximity to The Granola Bar and Chipotle at the top of the avenue is another perk, she said. Fifi & Bella,… → Read More
Transitions: Blue Mercury to open on Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich Avenue: Luxury cosmetic and beauty brand Blue Mercury, which is owned by Macy's, has plans to open a storefront on Greenwich Avenue. The upcoming shop is slated to open at 254 Greenwich Ave., filling the space formerly occupied by Calypso, which closed in 2017. Window wrappings covering the storefront say it will open this summer. Blue Mercury has more than 100 shops around the country… → Read More
First two episodes of business podcast now available
After Rob Morrison left work on a Tuesday evening in December 2016, he headed to his New York City apartment to read and sign hundreds of bankruptcy documents. Morrison had been elevated to chief executive officer of Gracious Home, a longtime New York City retailer, just weeks before. "The chairman could have stepped in, but he was just a money guy, not a retailer," Morrison said. "So we didn't… → Read More
Robert Weinstein sells Greenwich home for $17 million
Robert Weinstein, the Hollywood producer behind Dimension Films, Miramax and The Weinstein Co. and the brother of disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein, sold his Greenwich waterfront property this week for $17 million. The home, which Robert Weinstein bought in 2000 for $16.4 million according to town records, has been on the market for more than four years. Its original list price was set at $32… → Read More
Hearst Connecticut Media launches business podcast Rally
For more than a year, I've been collecting stories about business mistakes, setbacks and failures. Men and women who have led retail brands, advertising agencies, and ice cream parlors beloved by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg have shared with me their stories of surmounting overwhelming career challenges. Today, Hearst Connecticut Media is launching a business podcast called… → Read More
Transitions: Habitat Greenwich to open in Cos Cob
East Putnam Avenue: Home decor shop Habitat Greenwich plans to open a storefront in the Cos Cob section of town in the coming weeks, according to its founder Kim Caravella. Located at 234 E. Putnam Ave., Habitat is located across the street from Chicken Joe's and next door to recently opened Gelato & Cioccolato. Habitat will feature "uniqe furniture, home and leisure objects, original artwork… → Read More
Greenwich venture capital firm puts a focus on female leadership
A young venture capital firm based in Greenwich believes it has a big competitive advantage. Founded in 2016 and launched last year, 1843 Capital - led by Tracy Chadwell and Alison Andrews Reyes - specializes in technology startups, but it differentiates itself primarily by looking to invest in companies with "diverse leadership teams that include at least one woman," Chadwell said. A growing… → Read More
Greenwich Chamber recognizes Town Heroes
Four years ago, Alyssa Keleshian Bonomo asked her father, a longtime Greenwich businessman, to advise a friend about breaking into the local retail industry. He asked if she was crazy for trying to enter such a challenging market, but still took time to talk with her, Keleshian told attendees at Thursday afternoon's Greenwich Chamber Town Heroes Awards. Keleshian's father, Harry Keleshian, died… → Read More
Al fresco dining can provide competitive advantage for restaurants
As the warm weather finally settles on southwestern Connecticut, many restaurants are eager to set up outdoor seating and lure diners with the al fresco experience - but it's not always as simple as buying some patio furniture. Regulations vary by community but most enforce rules prescribing when "seasonal seating" can be available - typically between April and October - as well as the number of… → Read More
Transitions: Orvis headed to Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich Avenue: Fly-fishing, hunting and sportswear brand Orvis has plans to open a storefront on Greenwich Avenue, according to the brand's director of real estate Jason Williams. The outdoor apparel and sports goods company signed recently a lease for 107 Greenwich Ave., which formerly housed children's clothing apparel brand Janie and Jack that left last year. Orvis, which commits 5 percent… → Read More