Silver's lining: After 60 years, Westport retailer is back home

"Welcome to the new old," said Susan Silver, flashing a grin at patrons visiting the Westport retail institution that she co-owns with her brother Stephen.

It was a good term to describe the status of Silver of Westport, which has shuttled back and forth between storefronts a couple hundred yards three times since 1951.

On Saturday, the store celebrated its grand "reopening" in the original spot that in 1951 it first called home in Westport at 390 Post Road East.

"Grandad Sam started the business in Bridgeport on Main Street in 1904," said Stephen, "with canes and umbrellas, then luggage. In 1951, he opened a second store in Westport, at 386 State Street East, which became 390 Post Road East without moving."

The Bridgeport store, he said, "was huge in its day, and my grandfather's two brothers, Bennett and Marty, took it over. But then Marty died in a plane crash, Bennett opened another store in Milford and closed Bridgeport in 1963."

Silver of Westport moved in 1992 from 390 Post Road East to 404 in the Compo Shopping Center. Now, 19 years later, it has moved back. Trader Joe's had interest in the former space, terms were agreed upon and the grocery will expand into that storefront in January.

The store's loyal customers are one secret of Silver's success.

"What's great about this opening today is all the community friends that have come out to show their support," said patron Mimi Greenlee, "just like the Silvers have supported the community for so many years. Silver's has always been a place to go for birthday, graduation and holiday occasions. And you can't get any better luggage."

Westporter Tom Smith agreed with Greenlee's sentiment. "Silver's is the most consistent and loyal retail store in Westport, with long-standing customer relations and broadening categories of product," he said. "It's comforting that their move is an up-tick and they are not in any way obsolete."