Drivers struck in traffic on Saugatuck Avenue — in other words, all of us — have been intrigued by the transformation of #58.
The tiny brick storefront — home to, at various times, a barbershop, catering kitchen, liquor store and (most recently, but a while back) a pop-up art gallery — has been renovated.
The red brick is now white. The interior and exterior are spruced up. There is still, however, no parking.
The 1967 Staples High School graduate (Ellen Barker, then) found this photo —
— and wrote:
“My mother is driving her first car. Her sister Lyn is beside her; my grandparents in the back seat. I don’t know who is sitting on the back.
“The DeMeo family had that house above the store, built in 1922 along with the little store at the edge of the road and the house next door for my grandfather’s brother Luco DeMeo. Julia M. Gault co-signed for the loan.” (The DeMeos house has also been rehabilitated lately.)
“Many years later, when my Aunt Palma was still living there but had fallen on hard times, I went to the Gaults, who were having their 150th anniversary celebration at the Westport Historical Society where I was working, and asked them to help fix up her 90-year-old furnace to get her through the winter.
“I showed them how their grandmother had helped start the DeMeo family. Not only did they fix the furnace; they also put in a bunch of oil. No charge.
“My grandfather Samuel DeMeo emigrated from Italy. My grandmother Carolyn (Carrie) Chappa was born here.
“Grandpa had a nursery on the corner of Sunrise and Saugatuck Avenue, where the duplex is now.
“He also had a beautiful greenhouse, where I spent many hours watching him poke holes and plant seeds in soil. That gave rise to his store in the photo: SAM DE MEO FLORIST.
“I still have the hand-whittled poker he used to plant his flowers. It’s a treasure of days gone by.”
What’s going in the new building?
That’s up to the owner. Current zoning allows almost any retail use, from another catering kitchen or gallery to a law office, or an artist’s or interior designer’s studio.
Or — who knows — perhaps a florist.
BONUS PHOTO: Andrew Colabella found this 1940 photo of Ellen Naftalin’s mother, Ellen DeMeo, at “Westport’s finest & most modern non-synthetic dry cleaning plant: not far away, on Railroad Place.” The owner was Joel Strauss.
(If you enjoy our weekly flashbacks — or our coverage of Saugatuck, or anything else — please consider a contribution to “06880.” Just click here — and thank you!)
It may not be the biggest controversy in Westport, but it is the most visible.
On this week’s “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and anti-blight officer Steve Smith discuss the history — and latest action — involving 233 Hillspoint Road: aka the blue eyesore at the old Positano restaurant near Old Mill Beach.
It’s quite a saga. Click below to listen to the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston production.
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For decades, 58 Saugatuck Avenue has been an object of intrigue.
The tiny brick storefront has housed, at various times, a barbershop, florist, catering kitchen and (perhaps) a pre-Prohibition liquor store.
58 Saugatuck Avenue before …
It’s been vacant for years though, ever since the previous tenant — a pop-up art gallery — closed.
Recently, it’s gotten a nice (and much-needed) makeover.
(Photos/JD Dworkow)
What’s going in?
The use of the building is up to the owner. Current zoning allows almost any retail use, from another catering kitchen or gallery to a law office, or an artist’s or interior designer’s studio.
One fairly big drawback: There is absolutely no parking.
The building has been on the market for months. It’s in a residentially zoned lot (with a 2-family home, also recently renovated) behind.
A zoning permit was recently issued for the storefront, authorizing its continued (non-conforming) retail use. (Hat tip: Gloria Gouveia)
When it comes to pet health food, Earth Animal is the GOAT.
So it’s no coincidence that the Post Road all-natural shop is sponsoring Wakeman Town Farm’s summer goat program.
Earth Animal provides the goats with food, bedding, animal care, veterinary needs, pen maintenance and more to keep them healthy and happy.
The sponsorship also includes “goat classes.”
WTF’s goat husbandry program includes 30-minute private feeding and socialization sessions. Its “Bottle-Feed the Kids” class offers a goat-feeding experience, along with cuddling and playing.
Earth Animal funded the recent construction of a new animal barn at Wakeman Town Farm, adding an additional animal shelter, feed storage and veterinary care space.
Merritt and Abbey Goldstein, co-owners of Earth Animal, are not kidding around.
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The world changed forever on September 11, 2001.
On September 11, 2023, servicemembers who were injured in post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will benefit from a special event.
Catch a Lift — the national non-profit that provides combat-injured veterans with nutrition, fitness, emotional wellness and community help, to heal emotionally, physically and spiritually — returns for a 9th year in Fairfield County.
The Patterson Club event includes pickleball, golf, dinner, and an inspiring program. Click here for more information on tickets, sponsorships and donations.
Senator Richard Blumenthal recently recognized the Westport Library, Verso Studios, and their compilation album Verso Records, Volume One, in the Congressional Record.
“This record is the product of collaboration among local artists and is the first of its kind issued by a public library,” Blumenthal said. “This endeavor is an example of Westport at its best — the vision and vibrancy of the community and its commitment to artistic achievement, powering culture throughout the State of Connecticut.”
Blumenthal added that the Library has enriched the community as a leading innovator for decades, noting the MakerSpace, Library of Things, Seed Library, Cafe and Store, and prized artwork collection.
“These resources make The Westport Library one of the best libraries in all of America — a ‘noisy library,’ as its supporters say, and a true jewel of the community.”
Senator Richard Blumenthal, at the Westport Library.
In 2012, the Suzanne Sheridan Band performed and recorded a concert of Leonard Cohen’s music at Voices Café.
Since then, Sheridan’s band has continued the tradition in many venues. On August 6 (12:30 p.m.), Sheridan (vocals, guitar), Bob Cooper (keyboard) and Joe Meo (woodwinds) will add the VFW to the list.
There’s a $10 cover. Brunch and a Bloody Mary bar (plus mimosas) are available for an extra charge.
Lyn McCarthy, development director of Caroline House, spoke yesterday to the Westport Rotary Club.
Bridgeport-based Caroline House — a regular recipient of Rotary grants — provides food, clothing, English language and life skills education to immigrant women.
Lyn McCarthy of Caroline House at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Ellin Curley)
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