Last month — when “06880” reported that Peter Nisenson flood-proofed, refurbished and saved 201 Main Street, the “little red house” on the Saugatuck River that had been slated for demolition — readers rejoiced.
Now Nisenson and his PEN Building Company are about to start work on another property. It’s a new structure — but it sits on one of the most visible corners in Westport.
For decades, 233 Hillspoint Road has been the site of commercial ventures, in the heart of the Old Mill residential neighborhood. First a grocery store, the 2-story building later housed restaurants, including Cafe de la Plage and Positano’s.
This morning, it became Westport’s latest teardown.
The view from Old Mill Beach, as the former Positano’s and Cafe de la Plage was demolished this morning. (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
Over the next year, Nisenson will build a new home there. He and the owner have spent a couple of years planning how best to utilize the awkward-shaped lot — while maintaining the neighborhood character, and views admired by all Westporters.
“It’s a very public property,” Nisenson notes. “It was important to create something that blends in.”
The new house will be pushed back from the road. A dense buffer zone with native plants will provide privacy in back for the owners. But it’s on a public beach. The property ends where the sand begins — so Old Mill will remain the same as it’s always been.
The sidewalk in front will remain too.
The former restaurant has been vacant for nearly 4 years. Neighbors — and everyone else who loves the beach area — hope that Nisenson’s new project will be as well received as his Little Red House.
This is such a shame. It could have continued to be a restaurant, a real beach front location. Most of the neighbors didn’t have an issue with it being one. But a deal was struck with one who simply would not stand for it and that was that.
Kudos to the many folks who sat down and had meetings in trying to find a way to make it work out.
So all that’s left now is Elvira’s. That might not last much longer either…..
While nothing like these would ever just start up now where they are, that they are there and part of the community and integral is marvelous.
My understanding is that the sidewalk is on the Positano property and will be removed and that It will the responsibility of the town to install a new sidewalk on abutting Town property (in part of the existing roadway)
Café de la Plage now joins Chubby Lanes, Allan’s Clam House, Grubs Mkt, and the Penguin Inn in our collective memories of a more active and all around experiential experience Compo Beach area.
Was the Penguin Inn the place that was rumored to be a house of ill repute…?!
It wasn’t a rumor.
Tommy Thomas and I were having dinner at the Cafe de la Plage on the night that the hurricane of ’55 came through. The waves were splashing and crashing up on the windows. It seemed very exciting. That particular storm was much more destructive to inland CT, when the accompanying rain wiped out river towns in lower New Haven and Litchfield Counties, including Naugatuck, Washington and Roxbury. We were not particularly worried but didn’t stay for dessert…
Realize I should have been more specific in my comment above: “accompanying rain” etc. is inadequate. The torrential rains which came with this storm caused many rivers to overflow, with dams, bridges, even houses swept away. Terrible destruction and the end of the era of CT colonists’ early dam and bridge building, of random rocks, tree trunks and whatever else was handy.
Thank you for sharing your memories, Bonnie..
Had my fingers crossed that this would not happen but knowing what Westport has become I should not be surprised. Sad.
What a shame. The charm is being depleted in this town and the heart and soul, that left long ago, is being replaced with superficial emptiness.
Agree..
Another legend gone..
We lived up the hill from the Cafe de la Plage, on Buena Vista #2.. . Our lovely old cape cod was leveled too; a modern something stands in its place.
Most of us on the street had young families; our kids could safely ride their trikes on the dead end street with our dogs running freely after them, playing.
Pushing strollers up Compo Hill Ave, from Mill Beach kept us in shape, as did pushing same with picnic dinners to weekend bbq’s on the beach and to the firework ( with steamers from the Black Duck!).
Every Sunday was brunch at the Cafe, no matter the weather or season. I can well remember near hurricane wind and waves pushing against the windows … it was part of life on the beach.
We asked for stronger bloody Mary’s and slurped down our eggs Benedict.
I will NEVER understand why a restaurant there would not be a smashing success, as was the Cafe.
Positano’s was just the wrong place. We were and are foodies. With that view and good wholesome food, there would be lines waiting..
What happened?
I am so sad and so angry…
I dined at Positino’s only a couple of times during its reign, and the meals were beyond fabulous perfection (if that’s even possible, LOL).
Only went occasionally due to my location in life at the time.
The atmosphere seemed a bit cold and perhaps noisy/echo-ish, if memory serves, but ah … the food!
Really a shame that a new eatery couldn’t have taken its place.
And man, do I ever miss Allen’s Clam House. That place oozed of rustic New England. Was a gem.
🙁 Is there any beachside dining left in Westport?
Pearl at Longshore (if you consider that a “beach”).
Riverside dining: Bartaco, Arezzo, Rive Bistro, The Boathouse at Saugatuck Rowing Club, Parker Mansion, The Black Duck.
What have I missed?
Sadly, The Black Duck closed in early November 🙁
https://www.westport-news.com/news/article/Westport-s-Black-Duck-restaurant-to-close-after-13348947.php
You’re kidding, right?
https://06880danwoog.com/2018/11/02/breaking-news-black-duck-lives/
Thanks, Dan! Good list to keep on file. I love the river — that was mainly our side of town on Bridge St.
Ouch‼️
Sent from my iPhone Bobbi
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My husband and I had many romantic meals in the beautiful setting of Positano’s. We loved taking our children there for many years on Christmas Eve and other special occasions too. I sang there in 2013 for a few times and loved it. The family of Positano’s was so warm and kind. We have missed it so much. Need to try the new one more often but miss our Combo beach setting.
My future husband and I had our first dinner date at Cafe de la Plage in 1976 and returned there for celebrations, including to Positano’s when Leslie Orofino was performing. So sorry I can no longer even walk past the venue of such happy memories, they are only in my head.