Tag Archives: Elvira’s

Remember Last Week’s Big Compo Bathhouse Debate?

Posted on November 1, 2012 | 1 comment

So last week — remember last week? — “06880” was filled with a discussion on whether to renovate the Compo bathhouse, and if so, who should pay for it.

What a difference a Hurricane Sandy makes.

Here’s what the bathhouse looks like today. Yes, that Kowalsky truck stands in front of what used to be the brick entrance to the lockers, next to Joey’s. Yes, that’s the lockers you now see, right from the beach. And yes, in the foreground there’s a section of the boardwalk that does not belong there.

But that’s not all. Here’s what else I saw this afternoon:

Another section of the boardwalk that ended up far from home.

Hurricane Sandy drove sand through the very sturdy Compo men’s room door.

Legendary former Staples football coach Paul Lane has lived at Compo Beach since the 1930s. He saw the famous Hurricane of 1938, and the Nor’easter of 1955. On Monday, Sandy — one of the worst — inundated his house. Several Staples soccer players (and a friend) spent hours today shoveling out his front yard. Also today, members of Staples’ Service League of Boys (SLOBS) worked at Old Mill, cleaning and repairing damage there.

Flanking Coach Paul Lane at his Soundview house during cleanup (from left): Alex Spector, Staples soccer players Harry Birch and Patrick Beusse, and Paul’s son Peter Lane. Not pictured: soccer players Ethan Bradeen, Noah Bender and Greg Shikowitz.

The sign on the garage says “Welcome to the Beach.” Hurricane Sandy — not so welcome. (Photo/Betsy Phillips)

It pays to advertise.

Last winter, Elvira’s embarked on a top-to-bottom renovation.  The bottom included a new foundation.

It was money well spent. Sandbags, plywood — and the new foundation — kept damage to a (relative) minimum.

After 2 days of cleanup, Elvira’s will open tomorrow — as usual, bright and early — to serve great food (and plenty of coffee) to the grateful Old Mill community.

Two days after Hurricane Sandy, Elvira’s is again spotless. And, as of tomorrow morning, open.

The path leading to Compo Cove, off the Old Mill parking lot, is cluttered with debris this afternoon.

Strollers on the Compo Cove bridge have long admired the big tree — and enormous planter — behind the old Akins house. We’ve always wondered how it got there. Now we’re astonished that it too felt the wrath of Hurricane Sandy.

If there was any doubt: Yes, this was a Big Event. The TV truck at Old Mill Beach proves it.

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Posted in Beach, Restaurants, Weather

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Delightful Danbury Avenue

Posted on July 31, 2012 | 32 comments

The other day, a post about a beloved beach bungalow looked back on a bygone era. Former owners and renters of 12 Fairfield Avenue — and dozens of commenters — shared memories of growing up by the beach.

Just one street over — on Danbury Avenue — young kids today are making their own memories.

Much of the Compo area now teems with boys and girls. But Danbury Avenue has even more than most other streets. And the tight-knit families — and tightly packed houses — contribute to a spirit of shared adventure and neighborliness rare in these times of individual activity and hyper-vigilant parenting.

Several residents recently described an almost idyllic summer, in which children of all ages race in and out of each other’s yards (and homes). One woman described half a dozen elementary schoolers trooping into her house one morning, to rouse her teenager as he slept in.

A recent summer activity on Danbury Avenue was a lemonade stand. Jamie, Cameron, Spencer and Mason (above) — and many others — spent 4 days raising over $500 for the Hole in the Wall Gang.

Parents casually watch out for everyone — sometimes from porches, as the sound of laughter echoes up and down the street.

Older kids shepherd younger ones to the jetty to fish, or further away to the local community center (Elvira’s).

Danbury Avenue is also one of those rare places where, during the school year, kids gather at communal bus stops. And if that doesn’t describe a special place in town, nothing does.

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Posted in Beach, Children, Local business

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Καλώς ήρθατε και πάλι, Elvira’s!

Posted on March 3, 2012 | 10 comments

The extended Elvira’s family threw a party this afternoon, to celebrate their re-opening after an extended remodeling.

But it was hard to tell who was smiling more: the Yiozanakos family, who have owned the popular deli/grocery store/pizzeria/community center for 15 years, or the hundreds of Old Mill/Compo Beach residents who rely on it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, conversation, gossip, and a “Cheers”-type ambience where everyone knows your name (and and knows everything important about you).

Welcome back, Nick, Nicki, John, Stacey. And congratulations — the place looks better than ever!

Nick and Nicki Yiozanakos are all smiles in the new Elvira's.

Gyros, kebabs, pizza -- it was all there and more for the Elvira's crowd. Note the handsome new cabinets!

Elvira's fans of all ages enjoyed today's party.

Stacey Yiozanakos waves to one of her many customers/friends, from behind the counter.

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Posted in Beach, Local business, People

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Elvira’s?

Posted on February 21, 2012 | 30 comments

For years, Elvira’s has served as Old Mill’s community center. Far more than a store for milk and eggs, and a take-out restaurant for great deli, gyros and pizza, it was a place where families ran tabs, parents left messages for their kids, and — like a non-alcoholic “Cheers” — everyone knew your name.

Elvira’s was a favorite spot not just for beach residents, but bicyclists, tradespeople, and everyone else just passing by.

Elvira's, on a midsummer day.

Winter was always slower than the rest of the year, so most people thought little of the sign that appeared around New Year’s: “Closed for Renovations.”

But Elvira’s has now been closed for several weeks. There’s been a bit of activity — some painting, a couple of new appliances, a note about deliveries — but not much else.

Westporters are worried.

Friends have tried to contact Elvira’s, to no avail.

Several years ago, neighbors rallied around the store in time of need. I can’t speak for them, but I’m sure they — and many others — would be willing to do so again, if that’s the case.

We talk often about the disappearance of mom-and-pop shops from Westport. Elvira’s epitomizes the type of mom-and-pop-plus-kids–cousins-and- grandparents store that makes this town a community.

Spring is almost here. Like the flowers and trees, that’s traditionally the time Elvira’s comes alive.

Let’s make sure it happens again.

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Posted in Beach, Local business, Restaurants

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Elvira’s Gets What It Deserves

Posted on December 22, 2011 | 10 comments

Alert “06880” reader Tom Feeley was in Elvira’s yesterday.

He’s a regular at the Old Mill deli/grocery store/community center.

So are plenty of other Westporters.

But — no matter how often we get our coffee, pizza, a salad or wrap at a regular place — how many of us think to send it a Christmas card?

Plenty, apparently.

This season, Elvira’s is exhibiting dozens of cards from grateful customers.

They even crowd out the school photos of local kids that Niki, Stacy, Nick, Harry and the crew proudly display on the front counter.

Elvira’s is that kind of place.

So — as they say back in Elvira’s homeland — Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

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Posted in Beach, Local business, People

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Heading Back To Elvira’s

Posted on May 17, 2010 | 9 comments

Summer is finding its way here in fits and starts.

When it arrives, the crew at Elvira’s will be ready.

The small store on Hillspoint Road, opposite Old Mill Beach, is open year round.

Fall, spring — and, of course, winter — are quiet times.  Contractors, lawn guys and deliverymen stop by; so does everyone in the neighborhood, from commuters grabbing coffee and parents picking up pizza, to area kids who pop in and out several times a day.

A school bus stopped there one recent morning.  A couple of children ran out, grabbed energy drinks and cookies a very healthy breakfast, then hopped back on the bus.  There was not enough time to pay; they must have put in on their tab, as so many area families do.

For most of the year, Elvira’s serves the neighborhood.  Parents leave messages behind the counter for their kids; the owners and other help — most of them family members — look out for those same youngsters as if they were their own.

The bonds were solidified in 2003, when neighbors rallied to save the grocery store/deli/pizzeria from possible doom.

Elvira’s is headed into its busy season.  For the next few months, from opening to closing, the place will be packed.  New faces will appear — folks who don’t know the menu by heart, who ask for the one thing the store doesn’t carry, who don’t clean up after themselves outside.

Elvira’s will treat them with the same warm smiles, open hearts and overstuffed wraps they provide their most loyal customers, the ones who are there in the dead of winter.  They’ll be swamped this summer, but they’ll still have time for everyone.

Elvira’s is that kind of place.  It’s the Westport of our dreams.

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Posted in Beach, Local business

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Allen’s Clams, Elvira’s Sandwiches

Posted on October 2, 2009 | Comments Off on Allen’s Clams, Elvira’s Sandwiches

This weekend, tons of volunteers descend on Sherwood Mill Pond.  They’ll plant a bazillion grass plugs, plants, shrubs and trees, turning the old Allen’s Clam House parking lot into a legitimate park/preserve.

It’s the culmination of hard work by hordes of folks, including the Sherwood Mill Pond Committee, Public Works and Parks & Rec Department; people who donated money and goods; neighbors and friends, clubs and organizations.

Elvira's

Elvira's (Photo by Wendy Crowther)

But the volunteer planters still have to eat.  So Elvira’s — the round-the-corner, much beloved deli/pizzeria/general store — is donating food.  And they’re naming a sandwich after the park.

The Sherwood Mill Pond sandwich is filled with grilled chicken, grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms and melted cheese.

And, of course, heaps of love for the neighborhood that loves Elvira’s right back.

Westport artist Hardie Gramatky painted this view of the Mill Pond, from the back of Allen's Clam House

Westport artist Hardie Gramatky painted this view of the Mill Pond, from the back of Allen's Clam House

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Posted in Local business, Westport life

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