In the wake of the Planning & Zoning Commission’s decision allowing Old Mill Grocery & Deli to serve alcohol, and use pre-existing picnic tables and a gelato cart, 2 neighbors filed 3 lawsuits.
Soundview Empowerment Alliance (SEA) — the non-profit that owns the 222 Hillspoint Road building — has written a note to donors who funded the purchase of the building 2 years ago. Here is a slightly edited version of that letter.
Three years ago, you and nearly 600 other neighbors and friends generously donated to save Old Mill Grocery & Deli from the wrecking ball.
Since then, thousands of people have frequented OMG&D, loving their neighborhood gathering place.
Along the way, OMG&D received 3 historic designations from Westport and the state of Connecticut, acknowledging its 105-year history as the oldest continuously operating retail food establishment in Westport — and the heart and soul of the Compo Beach community.
Thanks to you and many others the OMG&D tradition lives on, generational memories continue to be shared (and new ones made), neighbors connect over great coffee and food, and new friendships are forged daily. We hear countless times every day how grateful the entire community is that the neighborhood gem called OMG&D was spared.
The good news: In January of last year, the Romanacci Group took control as the operating tenant of OMG&D. They have been embraced by the community for their great food and beverage offerings, and warm sense of hospitality.
Additionally, the Planning & Zoning Commission approved a text amendment to the zoning regulations which permits the sale of beer and wine for on-premises consumption, the use of pre-existing picnic tables, and more, for “retail food establishments” in residential neighborhoods. This includes Old Mill Grocery & Deli, and 2 others.
More than 600 residents signed a petition, wrote to the P&Z, or spoke at meetings, offering their unwavering support and approval of these regulatory changes.
The bad news: While there is so much to be happy about and grateful for, SEA and the Romanacci Group face significant challenges, in the form of 3 lawsuits filed against SEA (owners of the building), the town of Westport and Romanacci Compo Bach LLC, which operates OMG&D).
These lawsuits challenge the beloved market’s very existence.
The lawsuits were filed by an attorney on behalf of 2 neighbors who are leading and funding the efforts, along with a very small number of others from across town who have joined the suits.
The lawsuits seek to overturn the decisions of the Planning & Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, with respect to adoption of the text amendments, and the P&Z’s approval of the liquor license application.
The Romanacci team, at Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
We need all the support we can muster. And support comes in many forms.
First, we need to raise money. At $400 an hour, our legal fees are significant and mounting. Our attorneys have advised us that these fees could exceed $100,000. Your GoFundMe donation will help pay our legal bills, and ensure that SEA has adequate resources to fulfill its charitable mission of preserving the historic building and providing job training for people with disabilities.
Second, please let your RTM representatives know how you feel about OMG&D, and its importance to the community.
Third, please support the Romanacci team with your business. Make OMG&D one of your top choices when getting something delicious to eat or drink. And don’t forget the amazing wines, sold at wine store prices.
Feel free to reach out to us with comments and questions. For more details on “How We Got Here” and “What Happens Next,” please click here, then scroll down.
(NOTE: “06880” has contacted opponents of Old Mill Grocery’s regulatory approvals, and invited them to respond.)
Picnic tables flank Elvira’s, a predecessor of Old Mill Grocery. (Photo/Katherine Bruan)