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ARTICLE

Date ArticleType
8/27/2025 4:00:00 AM Member Monthly

August Chamber Connections

Stay Connected with the Norwalk Chamber
 
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?? August Momentum??

 

Summer may be winding down, but the GNC community is just getting started! August is all about keeping the momentum strong, building connections, and setting the stage for an even bigger finish to the year.

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Whether you’ve been with us all summer or are jumping in now, this is your moment to stay engaged, show up, and keep growing. Let’s finish summer strong! ??

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Philip FitzGerald

?Contact Info

Amplify Consulting Services is an independent boutique advisory firm dedicated to guiding business owners and management teams through critical moments of growth and change.

 

?Amplify provides strategic, hands-on support every step of the way. Drawing on backgrounds in top-tier investment banks, Big 4 firms, and entrepreneurial businesses, the team specializes in helping family and founder-owned companies achieve successful outcomes and unlock long-term value.

 Anthony Pena

?Contact Info

Aesthetic Dreams Medispa blends medical expertise with artistic precision to deliver natural, confidence-boosting results. Led by Lissette Torres, RN, a trusted injector with over a decade of experience in women’s health and advanced aesthetics, the medspa specializes in injectables, facial harmonization, skin rejuvenation, and women’s wellness therapies.

 

Known for her gentle touch and personalized approach, Lissette combines science and artistry to ensure every client feels radiant, balanced, and empowered. 

Susan Zelman

?Contact Info

Stop & Shop, a trusted name in grocery for more than a century, began as a small corner store in 1914 and has since grown to over 350 locations with 50,000 associates across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey.

 

While the scale has changed, the values remain the same; putting customers first, doing what’s right, and supporting local communities. Stop & Shop continues to make shopping easier, fresher, and better.

 

Billy Wooden

?Contact Info

Patriot Growth Insurance is a top-25 privately held national insurance agency serving clients across 28 states. With over 2,000 professionals in 170 offices, Patriot delivers expertise in property & casualty, employee benefits, personal, and ancillary insurance services.

 

?Their mission is to provide tailored solutions that protect client interests while fostering long-term success. Patriot empowers partner agencies to thrive, combining local autonomy with the strength of national resources and industry expertise.

Irina Simeonova

?Contact Info

RED Fashion School (RED) is a nonprofit educational institution that brings together contemporary style design education and the insights of working designers to educate the next generation of cultural leaders and innovators.

 

?RED offers a uniquely vertical model of education and professional practice, a co-operative enterprise where the students are educated through the process and practice of working with world-class designers.

 

 

Barbara Babcock

?Contact Info

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, is one of the nation’s fastest-growing real estate brokerage networks. Since its launch in 2013, the brand has expanded to more than 45,000 agents and 1,350 offices, earning a reputation for trust, integrity, and stability.

 

?Backed by HomeServices of America, the nation’s largest full-service real estate brokerage, the network offers unmatched resources in brokerage, mortgage, title, and relocation services. With the strength of Berkshire Hathaway, the company delivers lasting value and confidence to buyers and sellers alike.

Dimitrios A. Savvidis

Contact Info

For more than 40 years, Silver Star Diner has been a beloved staple in Norwalk, offering a warm, family-style dining experience rooted in Greek tradition. First opened in 1980 by the Savvidis brothers, the diner continues to thrive under the third generation of family leadership.

 

?With over 300 seats, a full bakery, bar, and private banquet space, Silver Star is proud to serve locals and travelers alike with award-winning hospitality, timeless flavors, and a menu as large as its legacy.

The following Chamber Members celebrate anniversaries in August 2025.

Congratulations and thank you for your continued support!?

25 Years

Devan Acura of Norwalk

15 Years

Norwalk Community Health Center

12 Years

Osteria Romana Inc.

9Years

Norwalk ACTS

7 Years

Alex Rosenfeld Photography

Women's Business Development Council

Riverside Cemetery Association Norwalk, Inc.

6 Years

Norwalk Community College Foundation

Norwalk Meet-Up With GNC, WBDC, & City of Norwalk

Join the Women’s Business Development Council, the Greater Norwalk Chamber, and the City of Norwalk on Tuesday, September 16th from 5:00-7:00PM for an evening of networking, ideas, and inspiration. This gathering celebrates women in business while connecting professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders across industries.

 

?Enjoy light appetizers, a cash bar, and plenty of opportunities to share ideas and build lasting connections. Admission is free, and parking is just across the street in the Main Street Lot.

Click Here to Register

CHP Hosts Annual Dinner Featuring Guest Speakers Harlan Stone & Clay Fowler

Join Connecticut Housing Partners as they celebrate 35 years of Making Home Happen at their Annual Dinner & Raffle on Tuesday, 9/30 from 6:00-8:30PM at Pinstripes at The SoNo Collection in Norwalk! . The evening will feature Harlan Stone, Executive Chairman of HMTX Industries, and Clay Fowler, Chairman & CEO of Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, in a TED-style conversation on how thriving economies depend on bridging the gap between luxury, market-rate, and affordable housing.

 

This special evening supports CHP’s Key Campaign, which embodies their ongoing mission to create safe, stable, and affordable housing across CT.

 

Your ticket includes a delicious dinner, an evening of inspiring conversation and a chance to win up to $25,000! Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the power of home, to win big, and help CHP continue to build a brighter future - one key at a time. ??

Click Here For Ticket & Sponsorship Info

Women's Business Development Council Ignite Grant Applications Open

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is proud to announce that applications are now open for the Ignite Grant Program! Designed to fuel the growth of women-owned businesses in Connecticut, the program awards up to $10,000 to eligible businesses that have operated for at least two years with revenues between $25K and $2M.

 

Since its launch, WBDC has invested over $3.9 million through 424 grants—helping women entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, create jobs, and drive local economies. Applications close September 16, 2025. Weekly info sessions are available in English and Spanish.

 

Click Here for more Info

Choyce Peterson’s John Hannigan Recognized with CoStar Power Broker Award

Choyce Peterson, Inc. is proud to announce that Principal John Hannigan has been honored with a Q2 2025 CoStar Power Broker Quarterly Deals Award for his work in the Fairfield/Westchester market.

 

Hannigan earned this recognition for representing L’Amy America in Shelton, CT, where he successfully negotiated the renewal of their 27,416 SF warehouse lease at 65 Trap Falls Road. The award highlights his strategic expertise, which also included securing a new 5,016 SF headquarters lease nearby—bringing office and warehouse operations closer together for greater efficiency. With his market knowledge and proven negotiation skills, Hannigan once again demonstrated why he is among the region’s top dealmakers.

 

Additionally, Choyce Peterson, Inc. has released its Mid-Year 2025 Lower Fairfield County Office Market Survey, highlighting a stable office availability rate of 29.4% across Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, and Westport. Notably, sublease space has dropped dramatically, falling below 10% for the first time in over a decade. The survey tracks 94 Class A office buildings totaling 17.2 million square feet, showing absorption trends, newly available space, and market shifts. With ongoing changes in leasing, adaptive reuse, and property sales, Choyce Peterson emphasizes the importance of expert guidance for tenants navigating renewals or relocations.

Click Here to Learn More

RAC Artists Talk with Ben Larrabee & RAC Masters Opening Reception

Celebrate art and storytelling at the Rowayton Arts Center this September! On Wednesday, September 10 at 6 p.m., join RAC member and photographer Ben Larrabee for a special Artists Talk as he shares the intimate journey behind his new book, Trudie: A Portrait. For nearly 30 years, Larrabee has photographed his wife, Trudie, capturing what he calls “Moments of Grace”—fleeting glimpses of their life together. This free event includes stories, insights, and refreshments as he reflects on what he describes as a “milestone” project.

 

Earlier that week, don’t miss the Opening Reception for “RAC Masters” on Friday, September 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. This exhibition highlights a select group of exceptional artists, including Bill Gore, Mindy Green, and more. The reception is free and open to the public.

 

Gallery hours are Tuesday–Friday, 12 to 5 pm, and Saturday, 10 am to 1 p.m.

Click Here for more Info

Volunteer with the Exchange Club of Norwalk at the Oyster Festival

The Exchange Club of Norwalk is looking for helping hands at their food booth during this year’s Norwalk Oyster Festival. As a chapter of a national civic organization dedicated to family, community, country and by a mission to prevent child abuse, the Exchange Club of Norwalk depends on both its members and local volunteers to help power one of its largest annual fundraisers.

 

Volunteers receive free admission to the festival, plus complimentary food and beverages while working the booth. Anyone 18 and under is welcome to help out (excluding cooking and cashier duties). This is a great opportunity to give back, connect with others, and make a difference in the Norwalk community.

Click Here to Learn More

Nine FLB Law Attorneys Selected to the 2026 Best Lawyers in America®

FLB Law is proud to announce that nine of its attorneys have been honored in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America® and Ones to Watch, a distinction earned by only 5.3% of attorneys nationwide. Managing Partner Stephen Fogerty received the prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” award in Labor & Employment Litigation for Stamford—an honor reserved for just one lawyer per specialty and region.

 

This year’s FLB Law Best Lawyers: 

  • Joshua Auxier, Partner: Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
  • Eric Bernheim, Managing Partner: Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
  • Enrico Costantini, Partner: Corporate Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
  • Stephen Fogerty, Managing Partner: Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Insurance, Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Leslie E. Grodd, Counsel: Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
  • Thomas P. Lambert, Managing Partner: Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance
  • Alan Rubenstein, Counsel: Collaborative Law: Family Law, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration, Family Law Mediation
  • Brian Tims, Partner: Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation -Defendants
  • ?Partner Matthias Sportini was named to Best Lawyers Ones to Watch list of up and comers in Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, and Real Estate Law

 

Click Here for more Info

First County Bank Celebrates CEO Robert Granata’s Legacy and Plans for Succession

First County Bank announces that Chairman and CEO Robert J. Granata will retire in July 2026, capping a remarkable career spanning over 39 years in banking and 18 years with the Bank. Under his leadership, assets grew 35%, commercial lending surged 142%, and customer satisfaction consistently exceeded 96%.

 

?Granata’s dedication also earned six consecutive “Top Workplace Awards” and strengthened the Bank’s wealth management capabilities. A Board-led selection committee is guiding a seamless succession to uphold the Bank’s culture and high standards. Granata will remain an active Board member and Corporator, continuing his longstanding commitment to Fairfield County nonprofits and community initiatives.

United Way of Coastal & Western CT Hosts 2025 Impact Breakfast

United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut invites the community to their 2025 Impact Breakfast on Wednesday, September 10 at 8:00 AM at Pinstripes in Norwalk. This year’s event features Dr. Stephanie Hoopes, National Director of United For ALICE, who will share groundbreaking insights on financial hardship in America and the economic challenges facing ALICE households—those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. Attendees will gain valuable data and strategies to strengthen workforce stability, support local businesses, and foster a more resilient economy.

Click Here to Register

Bing Carbone Speaking Series with a BING IMPACT

Click here to Learn More

Norwalk Symphony Presents "Three Virtuosi" at HMTX's "House Up On The Hill"

On September 18th, experience an unforgettable evening of music, architecture, and fine dining with the Norwalk Symphony at HMTX’s stunning “House Up On The Hill.” Enjoy world-class performances by Arturo Delmoni on violin, Kenneth Kuo on cello, and Jonathan Yates on piano, while savoring hearty appetizers, dessert, and breathtaking views of the HMTX rooftop garden and forested grounds.

 

VIP guests can join a guided tour of the 24,000 sq. ft. architectural marvel at 5:30 PM (limited to 25 guests). The main event runs from 6–9 PM. Festive cocktail attire and valet parking available.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum features new Exhibit "Reimagined Reflection"

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, in collaboration with Silvermine Arts Center, will inaugurate its 2025 Season and the reopening of the Mansion with a new contemporary art exhibition and a powerful metaphor for the Mansion’s renewal and transformation, reflecting broader themes of renaissance and new beginnings.

 

?Featuring abstract artwork by artists with deep ties to Silvermine, it will embrace the power of abstraction to evoke emotion, inspire reflection, and symbolize the potential for growth and change as explored by Silvermine Guild Artists: June Ahrens, Jan Dilenschneider, Katherine Draper, Rose-Marie Fox, Stephanie Joyce, Nancy McTague Stock, Fran Henry Meehan, and Judith Steinberg. On view now through Sept. 25, 2025, from 12–4 pm.

Click here to Learn More
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