Readers love photos of “old” downtown.
This one evokes memories of businesses that stood the test of time.
And there’s an added bonus: a reminder of what 2-way traffic all the way down Main Street looked like.
(Photo courtesy of Christopher Maroc)
In the photo above, Swezey Jewelers was noted for its elaborate Christmas displays, with a real model train set operating in the window.
Oscar’s was in its original location, before moving a few doors north. (Where it is now 159 Main Street, after several years as Rye Ridge Deli.)
What else do you notice? Click “Comments” to share your memories.
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where are the trees?
In the reflection of the Swezey’s window you can see the Mobil gas station sign from across the street. I remember those Christmas time windows at Swezey’s. Pack Roads had an elaborate Christmas window too with an animatronic Santa as I recall.
And Gene Hallowell, the Mobil owner, would throw a Christmas party, with all the food spread out on the pneumatic lifts.
I didn’t know that; you have to love “old” Westport.
The furniture store is there on the right…
I notice Wallace Real Estate owned by Judith Wallace. My mother was an agent there, and Judith’s daughter, Judy, was one of the first friends I had in Westport, in kindergarten at Saugatuck Elementary.
Bill’s Smoke Shop was just down the way a bit, past the many paned window. That was where we bought comics and candy when we were down town after school, “hacking around,” as it was called then.
Did Oscar’s and Bill’s smoke shop occupy the same retail location, but at different times?
As I enter the sunset of dementia I shall attempt to opine that they were close but a couple of doors apart from each other. I am thinking ‘62-‘70ish timeframe.
I don’t believe so, Russell — Oscar’s was where you see it in this photo and Bill’s was where Westport Pizzeria eventually took over. I think.
Oscar was my grandmother’s cousin. I remember going to the deli with my father every weekend when I was really little. Oscar would pick me up so I was high enough to choose a pickle from the pickle barrel. That was in the mid-50’s. Not sure at the time of this photo if Dorain drug, Greenberg’s and Gristede’s were still on the same side of Main. By the 60’s, the Sport Mart would have been on the same side, Klein’s (including Sally’s record department) and Country Gal were on the other side of the street.
Swezey’s was the Lord and Taylor of Christmas windows🎄
Sport Mart used to have a gun counter. When it was in SHERWOOD Square. When they changed the name to Sconset I knew the town had sold its soul and its best days were in the rear view mirror.
There is only one Sconset, and it’s located on Nantucket. I know, ACK beaches can’t compete with Compo, but we’ve learned to suffer and accept.
I knew it was up there somewhere. There was historical substance to Sherwood Square and I would like to know the basis for the identity theft of the Sconset you refer to. Somehow, I sense that some developer from NYC may be the culprit.
As a member of the Westport Fire Dept. (volunteer), I remember the major fire that burned down the white building. Which if my memory serves me correctly was the original home of Westport Hardware.
VW bug parked, and maybe a Carmen Gia (spelling?) driving up from background. And looks like The Ships restaurant facade way back on Post Road. I remember Sweezy’s too, plus all the other places from the 70’s & 80’s while I was in grade school!