For decades, a “trolley car” — actually a diner — was an iconic part of downtown restaurant.
Located at the corner of Post Road East (East State Street) and Taylor Place, across from Colgan’s (later Thompson’s) drug store (now Tiffany), the diner served good, basic food to generations of downtown workers, and students from nearby Staples High School (now Saugatuck Elementary).
(Photo courtesy of Christopher Maroc, via Facebook)
In the photo above , it’s shown next to Klaff’s, and across the street from the original Westport Public Library.
The diner — and the entire block — burned down, in a 1970s fire.
Muriel’s trolley car diner was a legendary piece of Westport history.
But why was “trolly” spelled incorrectly — in such large letters — on the side?
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Good question.Prolly they didn’t care..I THINK this might have been the second iteration of Muriel’s. I seem to remember at first it looked like a traditional diner. George Kleros or Dick Alley might remember as both are retired WPD predating even me.
Originally Jack’s Diner. “Jack” which I believe was his “handle” was an uncle of Lee Pappageorge.
Chance Browne painted Muriel’s once. I don’t think this picture is of his painting. Also before it was Muriel’s it was Jacks Diner.
Trolley can also be spelled as trolly.
My father Ed See would grab a bite there, as it was right next to his law office at Wake See & Dimes. It was a big deal for a kid to go there because it was usually full of adults and had a pinball machine.
Such wonderful Memories of Westport when I was a kid (and an adult). We would walk down the Post Road from Bedford Jr. High( (now something else) or from Staples, now Saugatuck to get the town bus home from school. There was always the thought that maybe someone would buy you a coke from Colgan’s while you waited. Oh! Those were the days my friends…… They did end.
Thought it was painted green at one time.
You haven’t lived until you took the trolly (or trolley) to Reads Department Store in downtown Bridgeport. If you weren’t old enough to take the trolly, there was the CR&L bus that’d take you there in the 1950s.
From 1961-1963, when Bedford Junior High School had replaced the departed Staples (moved next door to a Nike Ballistic Site on North Avenue. WTF?) students frequented Thompson Pharmacy for a cherry coke and fries after school vice “Jack’s” which seemed to be more for adults? The YMCA was the hub for many activities after school as well as Friday night dances. We even had a movie theater down town then. Plenty of things for kids to do including working in many of the Mom and Pop stores. The Wonder Years, long gone.
I remember it being green. Muriel was a nice lady who took great pride in the place and served great food. Lots of us on WPD ate there often.
I was working the desk the night of the fire.
Dick where are all the WPD photos from years ago? they need to be retrieved, no?
Yes, Muriel’s was originally green. Had many lunches there when I worked downtown. If I remember correctly, Maria was her cook. I think she was originally from Hungary? Those were the days, my friend— we thought they’d never end.