The former Three Bears Restaurant in Westport is about to become a religious and community center after being sold to Chabad Lubavitch of Westport.
The Jewish community group bought the former restaurant at the corner of Wilton Road and Newtown Turnpike from owners the Vazzano family for $1.6 million.
The property at 79 Newtown Turnpike will be used as a center for Jewish life for Westport, Weston, Wilton and Norwalk, housing classes for adults and children, religious services and community meetings.
Approximately $150,000 in interior renovations is planned after the necessary permits are obtained. Able Construction of Norwalk has been selected to do the work.
Portions of the building are more than 200 years old, first serving as a local stop for stagecoaches. For a short time after Three Bears closed in 2009, it became the Tiburon restaurant, which closed within months.





