Darien Answer Book
Darien Answer Book: Business
Mar 11, 2008

What are the top 10 taxpayers in town?

  The top 10 taxpayers and their assessments according to the grand list are:

  1. The Wee Burn Country Club, Inc.    — $28,429,680

  2. The Country Club of Darien, Inc.    — $21,790,830

  3. Avalonbay Communities, Inc. — $19,845,000

  4. Connecticut, Light, And Power — $19,098,950

  5. Woodway Country Club — $18,315,690

  6. U B Darien, Inc. — $14,002,800    

  7. Zotos International, Inc. — $11,345,950

  8. 9 Old Kings Highway, LLC — $10,353,340

  9. William Ziegler, III — $10,208,520

10. Parklands Office Park, LLC    — $10,067,330

What does the Chamber of Commerce do?

The Chamber of Commerce, at 17 Old Kings Highway South, has office hours from 9 to 2, Monday through Friday. The office may be reached via telephone, 655-3600; fax, 655-2074; or e-mail, darienchamber@optonline.net. The Web site is dcc.darien.org.

The chamber’s mission is to take a leadership role in supporting the business community and quality of life in Darien. With more than 300 members, the chamber is very active. It provides educational forums, notifies members of legislation affecting business, acts as a conduit to local and state government, and creates a regional awareness of Darien’s business community.

The chamber sponsors or coordinates the Community Beach Party Clambake, July Sidewalk Sales Days, Christmas tree lighting, an annual golf outing, and networking events. The chamber participates in an annual regional business expo.

Who protects consumers?

The local Better Business Bureau is in Wallingford. For information, call 203-269-2700.

The Better Business Bureau provides reports on businesses, charity groups, and organizations. It can help resolve consumer disputes with businesses and promotes ethical business standards. You may file a complaint online at connecticut.bbb.org or call for information.

Consumers may also file a complaint about a business by calling the state Department of Consumer Protection hotline at 800-842-2649 or visiting state.ct.us/dep.

The department will investigate cases where consumers feel they were cheated or defrauded. Written complaints may be mailed to 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford 06106.

Who are the town’s largest employers?

According to information from the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, the top employers in 2006 were: Town of Darien, Darien YMCA, Colangelo Synergy Marketing, Frontline Marketing, and Zotos International, Inc.

Is there a professional group?

The Darien Professionals Network holds monthly meetings to provide career development information for executives from all industries and job functions who are underemployed, employed and seeking to stay networked, employed but willing and able to help those who need career guidance, and in a job transition. For information: info@darienprofessionals.com or darienprofessionals.com.

What is the Darien Revitalization Initiative?

Darien Revitalization Initiative, 762 Post Road, is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization established to guide the revitalization of downtown Darien. The work is accomplished by the executive and associate directors and four committees: Design, Economic Restructuring, Promotion and Organization each with it’s own chairperson.

The organization’s mission is “To maintain and enhance the unique charm, character and historic significance of downtown Darien, while ensuring a variety of retail, dining and housing as well as social and cultural activities for residents and visitors of all ages.”

There are committee meetings and social events throughout the year. Visit darienmainstreet.org. For information, call 655-7557 or  e-mail darienmainstreet@aol.com. To volunteer, call 656-6671 or e-mail darienmstreet@aol.com.

What banks are there in town?

Bank of America, 1120 Post Road, 800-841-4000, bankofamerica.com;

Bank of America, 7 Sedgewick Avenue, 800-841-4000, bankofamerica.com;

Chase, 454 Post Road, 655-8344, chase.com;

Citibank, 40 Heights Road, 800-627-3999, citibank.com;

Commerce Bank, 55 Boston Post Road, 662-8000, commerceonline.com;

Darien Bank & Trust, 777 Post Road, 656-0699, ccbankonline.com;

Darien Rowayton Bank, 19 Corbin Drive, 656-3500, drbankonline.com;

Fairfield County Bank, 714 Post Road, 656-2265, fairfieldcountysavings.com;

First County Bank, 1006 Post Road, 655-3944, firstcountybank.com;

Patriot National Bank, 800 Post Road, 202-7450, pnbk.com;

People’s Bank, 72 Edgerton Street, 655-9748, peoples.com;

People’s Bank, 25 Old Kings Highway North, 655-7617, peoples.com;

TD Bank North, 20 West Avenue, 662-2501, tdbanknorth.com;

Wachovia, 950 Post Road, 655-7220, wachovia.com;

Wachovia, 310 Heights Road, 655-3455, wachovia.com;

Webster Bank, 1101 Post Road, 656-4070, websterbank.com;

Where can I send or receive a fax?

Try The UPS Store in Goodwives Shopping Plaza, 655-6543.

Where can I get copies made?

For copies, you can go to Executive Printing Inc., 1082 Post Road, (655-4691) or The UPS Store, Goodwives Shopping Plaza (655-6543/theupsstore.com).

Where can I get things printed?

Local printers include D’Iorio Printing Service, 10 Center Street (656-0557); and Executive Printing Inc., 1082 Post Road (655-4691).

For announcements or invitations, try Innovative Invitations of Darien, 178 Heights Road (655-7332).

Where can I recycle those packing peanuts?

The UPS Store will recycle the peanuts.

Where is the post office and when is it open?

Darien has two post offices. The Darien Post Office, at 30 Corbin Drive (800-275-8777) is open from 8 to 5 Monday through Friday, and 8:30 to 12:30 on Saturday.

The Noroton Heights Post Office, at 368 Heights Road (655-0631) is open from 8 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. It is closed on Saturday.

Are there any 24-hour mailbox services?

The UPS Store has a 24-hour mailbox service. Call 655-6543.

Where can I buy stamps besides at a post office?

You can buy stamps at The UPS Store, Goodwives Shopping Plaza (655-6543), and CVS (655-2865) 964 Post Road.

Where can I rent meeting space?

The Darien Community Association’s Meadowlands, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, may be rented for group meetings, receptions, parties and weddings. Encompassing almost eight acres, it includes a bird sanctuary and formal garden. For information, call the rental office at 655-1054 or visit online at dca.darien.org.

Office Suites of Darien, 30 Old Kings Highway South, provide executive offices fully furnished with phone and Internet service by the day, week, month, or year. Along with conference rooms and a meeting room with theater seating and videoconferencing services, there is a full-service business center with secretarial service, PowerPoint, copy machines, binding, mailing, etc. Call 655-2601.

Who welcomes newcomers?

The Town Greeter brings civic and local information to new residents, including brochures and discount offers for local retailers. For information, call Barbara at 966-4359.

New Neighbors brings local information to new residents, including information on the Newcomers Club, and brochures and samples from local retailers. Call Linda Smith at 655-4450, Eleanor Southworth at 655-4125, or Janet King at 656-0401.

The YWCA Newcomers Club offers social activities, recreational programs, and special events. Call 655-2535.