Every year, our “Best of the Gold Coast” issue tells a story about what—and who—our community values most. Thousands of readers cast votes for the restaurants they return to time and again, the boutiques they recommend to friends and the local businesses that have earned their trust over time.
But this issue is also a reminder of something larger: the power of people supporting one another.
You see it in the businesses celebrated throughout these pages. You see it in the talented designers shaping the homes and style of our region. And you see it in singer-songwriter Gray Connors, whose recent viral moment on TikTok has introduced her music to a rapidly growing audience. Splitting her time between Fairfield County and Los Angeles, she’s building a career one song, one performance and one new fan at a time. We hope you’ll take a listen—and perhaps become one of them.
While her stage may be getting bigger, her story began the same way many success stories do here—with a community willing to take notice, spread the word and offer support.
That same spirit runs throughout this issue. You’ll meet the Zaccario family of New Canaan, who transformed the olive groves on their Italian estate into a growing olive oil business that’s finding fans both locally and beyond. We also catch up with the founders of Dudley Stephens, whose family-driven fashion brand grew from a simple idea into a nationally recognized label with the support of loyal customers and a community that embraced it from the start. You’ll discover a home décor designer putting a fresh spin on wallpaper and linens, and step inside a beautifully renovated Rowayton home created through a collaboration between two local design firms for a family who returns each summer from Hong Kong to reconnect with loved ones.
As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all ships. As I read through this issue, I was struck by how often success begins with someone willing to spread the word, make an introduction, place a vote or simply show support. The stories in these pages—from reader-favorite businesses and family entrepreneurs to innovative designers and a singer-songwriter on the rise—are proof that achievement is rarely a solo endeavor. It grows through encouragement, collaboration and community.
In many ways, that’s what “Best of the Gold Coast” is all about. Beyond the winners and accolades, it’s a celebration of the people whose talents, passions and perseverance make this such a vibrant place to live.
We hope these pages inspire you to discover someone new, revisit an old favorite and continue supporting the people who make Fairfield County—and especially New Canaan, Darien and Rowayton—extraordinary.
