Peter Tauck is a lifelong Westporter. He has lived in the Old Mill Beach neighborhood for decades. He and his children are frequent customers of Old Mill Grocery & Deli. and its predecessors. (His kids’ photos were among the dozens that the owners of Elvira’s kept under glass at the front counter.)
Now retired, Peter is a former CEO and board member of Tauck, the family-owned worldwide travel business. He is still part owner of the company.
In the wake of this week’s ruling by a Superior Court judge against OMG’s sale of alcohol, and use of a gelato cart and outdoor picnic tables, Peter writes:
The ruling against the store is especially upsetting to me as I mourn the passing of my father, Arthur Tauck, Jr.
Arthur was a humble but committed steward of Westport history, culture and traditions. He never fought majority sentiment for personal victory or gain.
He always supported the little guy, the underdog. Old Mill Grocery would have been just the type of place he supported.
Old Mill Grocery: a community hub.
He would have enjoyed the picnic tables as he valued human connection and storytelling, as an enabler of a healthy community. As I reflect now, my motivation to support the store for over 20 years came from lessons I learned from my dad.
When Nick and Stacey first took over the store, they were all smiles — yet struggling. There was a rotted picnic table outside, supported by cinder blocks.
I arranged to have a new table and umbrella delivered in the night. No one ever knew where it came from, until now.
I remember thinking “that’s how dad would have done it.” It felt good. Reading how the picnic tables have become such an issue is difficult for me.
Picnic tables at Old Mill Grocery. (Photo/Dave Dellinger)
I have supported Soundview Empowerment Alliance, both in the purchase of the store and their ongoing legal battles with a group that has included a family member. While I respect the group’s right to their opinion and voice, I want to be clear that to my knowledge, no other family member actively supports the actions taken against the store. In addition, our business is in no way involved in any of these efforts.
I hope that the supporters of OMG continue in their resolve to keep it viable and vibrant. As a neighbor, and someone whose 4 children so enjoyed the store in their youth, I will continue to stand with the supporters.
Respectfully,
Peter Tauck
(“06880″‘s Opinion pages are open to all. Please send submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com.)
I bought food and drink there as a teenager and later a lifeguard. Keep OMG open for the neighborhood. It’s sacred place to true Westporters!
Thank you Peter. Please keep up the fight worth fighting for … OMG “is” a Westport blessing… as was your Dad. I am deeply sorry for the passing of your amazing father.
Dear Peter,
I am sorry for the loss of your father. I’m also sorry for any strife this is causing inside your family. This situation is surely causing much frustration and sadness for many of the community, not just at the beach. The finacial struggle of restaurants is real, high seasons vs low seasons. Our town took a stand to help support these businesses who add so much color to our lives. Let’s remebember even that little ice cream cart that would have attracted kids. I thank God that kids can still roam from home alone for a little slice of pizza and a cone. To the neighbors with the problem, it is never too late to change course. Now is the time.
Financially it’s a reality. They need this to survive … We are down in the Campo area almost every night , we are sunset watchers… and love the mill , especially when the beach snack bar closes … I couldn’t imagine living down there and having to drive to the other side of town to get milk or eggs as well . Also, as far as I can remember going back 30 years, I thought there has always been a picnic table outside to enjoy a snack, a cup of coffee Who would petition against a gelato truck ??? Especially that actually looks so inviting and a few tables and chairs with umbrellas ???
Isn’t his sister leading the charge against OMG?
Thank you, Peter. I’m sorry for the loss of your father. I didn’t get the opportunity to meet him, but sounded like a one of a kind person. We need strong voices like yours to continue to get the word out about the judgment & OMG’s need for year-round shopping support. Legal fees are killing the business & SEA. I implore both sides to re-think the circumstances and compromise to end the legal feud.
As I understand this, the vast majority of the neighborhood loves this store. Also, as I understand things, without wine sales, they could go bankrupt. So here’s an option- raise prices to the extent that you’ll be financially stable! Whether that be 5%, 10% or 20%. It seems to me, people would support that to keep the place open and functioning. Another possibility, is do a small GoFundMe.
Thank you for your message and continued commitment to the community Peter, replicating just what your father did…sharing/showing the world and supporting “the little guy.”
The community came out, $1.5million strong to KEEP what we all wanted. A place for the community and visitors to enjoy, a break along their walking path, a place to stop and rest.
It has been this way for decades, people sitting outside and even alcohol at one point.
14 people do NOT get to yuck our yum, with this entitled arrogant approach to drag and drain them out now for $60,000 all because of:
Outdoor seating
A liquor license
A gelato cart
If this place fails, it’s over. Her crusade to get rid of Allen’s, Positanos, and now old mill grocery so that no commercial entity can exist on a coastal town with public beaches is a travesty.
What was here before you will be long after you, even if one of the plaintiffs moved! Or couple of the other plaintiffs rent out and are barely here.
Destructive behavior.
Btw, you can build an 8-30g right there, 5-6 stories high, would you rather have that? Insult to injury, cutting nose off to spite your face.
Knock it off.
That’s definitely a nicer picture and shows the outside seating. I’m sure the neighbors will figure out how to keep it afloat! If it’s that important, they’ll figure it out!
You need to find a hobby Jack.
Jack to Jack, What’s the problem with my three comments? I actually think they were polite and respectful and constructive. I don’t get it. Why say I need a hobby? That seems like a “ put down.” Although maybe you said it in jest.
Why wouldn’t people want gelato and picnic tables at a takeout restaurant near the beach that serves good food?
Plaintiffs filing the lawsuits include:
Ellen and David van Dorsten,
Robin Tauck
Ernest Ferrari
Joe Coelho,
Janice Bergin,
Nicholas Visconti,
Clark Hanford,
Ellen and David Sosnio,
Rosemarie Doino,
Deidre Kantor, and
Anthony and Jennifer Woodson.
For purposes of transparency.
Don’t shoot the messenger. 🤷
Nothing more Westport than a nepo baby beach resident battle on the town blog.
Those are the Plaintiffs and their position was legally upheld. Time to move on.
To those who live here, the 5,000 that donated to keep this place, we all feel otherwise. No thanks pal.
My 5th and last comment. Whether you like it or not, Andrew,, you’re moving on! I know you don’t like the outcome; but it’s the legally binding outcome, and complaining won’t change anything!
Robin Tauck is or was the lead plaintiff? Crazy.