You never know where a conversation with Lloyd Allen will go.
The other day I stopped in at Double L Market, to pick up their trademark box of fruit.
The longtime owner of the beloved Post Road East fruit stand-and-much-more was in an expansive mood. He had a strong case of spring fever — exactly what someone whose life revolves around the seasons should have.
Lloyd Allen, at Double L Market.
Lloyd talked nostalgically of his original farm stand, where Kings Highway North runs into the Post Road.
He told me that Paul Newman loved loved LOVED Double L’s honeydews.
Of course, Lloyd is much more than just a fruit and vegetable vendor. He is pursuing multiple avenues on stage and through the media. The Westport Library has been a great partner throughout, he said.
Lloyd has always felt close to the people of Westport. He thrives on the town’s vitality, energy and charm. To give back, he hopes to build a stage of giant iPhones — the theme of a play he’s written — on the side of Double L Market, so he can workshop scenes. (Michael Calise, his landlord, is okay with it, Lloyd said.)
Then he showed me early signs of spring: fiddlehead ferns, spring garlic
and early onions. (All are from the West Coast, alas.)
Double L bounty, spring 2021.
Today — April 6 — Lloyd turns 75. He is filled with gratitude for Gianna. They love each other’s company; they collaborate, and respect each other greatly.
Then Lloyd backtracked 40 years. He talked about how the seasonality of his early roadside stand gave him time with his kids, in their early years.
He might soon take a few days with Gianna, just the two of them, to get away and ponder next moves.
Lloyd still has a whole lot to get done.
But for now: Happy 75th birthday, Lloyd.
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And may the rains fall soft upon your fields.
We all love — and need — all that you offer all of us!
“Eddington” — Ari Aster’s film about political and social turmoil during the pandemic — opened Friday.
There’s a familiar face (besides Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal and Emma Stone) on the screen: Staples High Class of 2024 graduate Cameron Mann.
He debuted with Staples Players long before entering high school — as an elementary student. He continued through his senior year, stopping only that spring when he filmed “Eddington” in New Mexico.
Cam — who previously starred in HBO’s “Mare of Easttown” — is a rising sophomore at the University of Michigan. (Hat tip: Kerry Long)
Cameron Mann, in “Eddington.”
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The Sunday morning church service at Compo Beach is always special.
Yesterday’s worship was extra special.
Pivot Ministries — the Bridgeport organization that addrseses — drug and alcohol addiction as a spiritual problem — was the guest of this week’s hosts, Saugatuck Congregational Church.
Pivot members offered uplifting testimony — and music — to the early morning gathering.
Pivot Ministries, at Compo Beach. (Photo/Lisa Tantillo)
Lloyd Allen workshopped songs from his timely new musical “Screen Time” yesterday, at the Westport Library.
Dick Wingate was there — and was very impressed.
“I’ve known Lloyd for 40 years going, back to when he was a fashion designer and made a music video of his song that showcased his latest line,” Dick says.
“It was so catchy that I released it on Epic Records. It became a minor MTV hit. He is truly a renaissance man.”
But we already know that.
To learn more about “Screen Time” — or many other things — stop in at Lloyd’s day job. He owns the Double L Market (get it?) near Calise’s, on Post Road East.
La Source — whose stores in Darien and New Canaan offer “a curated collection of best-in-class delicates, sleepwear, swimwear, and gifts for the women we love” — is expanding to Westport.
As I started my walk at Compo’s South Beach yesterday, I passed a Jeep with its motor running.
More than 20 minutes — coming back, the other direction — it was still there.
An hour later, I got a text from a reader. She sent a photo of a car that had idled for at least 10 minutes outside Cold Fusion, while the driver’s family was inside.
Not cool!
Except that these drivers are quite cool (as in “comfortable”). They’re sitting in their cars, chatting on their phones, while the A/C is on.
But wait!
Although a Connecticut law prohibits idling for more than 3 minutes, there are exceptions.
One is when traffic prevents movement. Another is when the temperature is below 20 degrees.
A third is — wait for it — “when using heating, cooling or other auxiliary equipment.”
Who knew?
Still — though it may be legal, it’s not environmentally wise.
Yesterday was beautiful.
Maybe the Compo guy could have made his phone call on a bench that was 3 steps away.
Maybe the gelato guy could have joined his family for ice cream.
And maybe the word can get out that among the synonyms for “idle” are “lazy,” “indolent” and “slothful.”
From 2017.
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Speaking of Compo: We’ve had 2 straight days with rainbows over Long Island Sound. Here’s yesterday’s:
(Photo/Meredith Holod)
Gorgeous!
I just have one question: Aren’t rainbows supposed to follow rain?
The newest addition to the Levitt Pavilion lineup: Mihali.
The Vermont-based singer/songwriter/guitarist/co-founder of Twiddle continues to evolve. His third record, “Before The Dream” features big names in the reggae, rock and pop worlds, including Little Stranger, Tropidelic, Lily Fangz, G. Love, Brett Dennen, Andy Frasco, Seven Suns, Satsang and Moon Taxi.
Speaking of the Levitt: Our new header (on the “06880” home page) was taken last night, at the sold-out Sweet Remains concert. (Bonus feature: an impromptu appearance by Broadway star Kelli O’Hara, the wife of Sweet Remain Greg Naughton. They live in Westport.)
Jim Honeycutt – retired Staples High School media teacher, well known for his many Players and Music Department video projects there — snapped the shot.
If you’re not seeing the image on our website, here it is:
And finally … Happy 77th birthday, Cat Stevens (Yusuf). There are so many songs to pay him tribute. Here are 3. What’s your pick? Click “Comments” below.
(Another week begins … and, as always,”06880″ is here to bring you news, features, events, photos and much more, all with a hyper-local twist. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Speaking of beating the heat: Lou Mall had a chance to do that yesterday.
And he didn’t even plan on it.
The Representative Town Meeting member was on his way into the Senior Center, when he saw 2 teenager girls offering free lemonade.
From left: Taylor Lunney and Nicole Tooker. (Photo/Lou Mall)
Taylor Linney and Nicole Tooker also invited seniors to join them in a “When life gives you lemons, play Cornhole!” event there, on July 30 (10:30 a.m.).
“What great young women!” Lou says.
“I had a wonderful conversation about their upcoming senior year in high school, and colleges.
“It was so nice of them to volunteer their time and energy. And who doesn’t love free lemonade on a hot day like today?”
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The Westport Downtown Association sponsors music on Church Lane, every Friday and Saturday from early June through mid-September.
Now there’s music on Wednesdays too. Spotted Horse hires the performer. But they play outside the popular restaurant, so diners at other venues enjoy them too.
Ethan Walmark was last night’s featured act. The very talented 2024 Staples High School graduate — a rising sophomore at the University of Southern California’s prestigious Thornton School of Music — rocked the al fresco roadway with a sampling of some of his 3,000 covers, of popular tunes in a variety of genres.
Of course, Ethan took requests. That’s the way he rocks.
Also yesterday: 2 well-attended events, on either side of the Westport Library parking lot.
In the Trefz Forum, the 50th anniversary of “Jaws” was celebrated with a special screening of the iconic thriller — followed by an intriguing talk with nephew Christopher Shaw Myers, author of “Robert Shaw: An Actor’s Life on the Set of Jaws and Beyond,”and film critic Joe Myers.
(Photo/Copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
Meanwhile, a few yards away, the Levitt Pavilion welcomed the folk trio I’m With Her:
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
As if all that wasn’t enough: Singer Rosanne Cash and her husband, guitarist John Leventhal performed at the Westport Country Playhouse.
(Photo/Susan Garment)
In the words of former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe: “If you can’t find something to do in Westport, you’re just not trying.”
It tells the story of Angie (a bookeworm) who meets Marshall (a coder) building Angela (an AI chatbot).
The humans fall in love. Marshall introduces Angie to his influencer friends. Cautious at first, she acquiesces. With Angela’s guidance, she becomes a viral influencer.
“It’s the biggest artistic risk I’ve ever taken,” Lloyd says. “But it feels right.
“And I can’t think the Library enough. They haven’t just given me a stage — they’ve become partners in the artistic endeavor.”
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker says: “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Fairfield 1st Selectman Bill Gerber.
“He was a kind, engaged and accomplished public servant, having served the Fairfield in a wide range of elected and appointed roles over the past 30 years.
“Personally, I found Bill to not only be a good colleague, but even more importantly, a good human.
“On behalf of the town of Westport, I extend my sincere condolences to his wife,Jessica, his family, friends, and the entire Fairfield community. Please know that you are in our thoughts during this time of profound loss.”
Fairfield 1st Selectman Bill Gerber
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“Nature can heal itself, if we give it a little help.”
That was the message from Bob Mazzone, SoundWaters’ vice president of development, the the Westport Rotary Club on Tuesday.
The Stamford-based non-profit teaches students about the environmental challenges threatening Long Island Sound, through programs like sailing, growing kelp to improve the quantity of oxygen, and harbor maintenance.
Bob Mazzone addresses the Westport Rotary Club at Green’s Farms Church. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
5th through 8th graders interested in history and photography: Check out “History Through a Lens.”
The 3-Saturday workshop (August 23, September 13 and 27, 10-11:30 a.m., Weston History & Culture Center) encourages youngsters to dive into photographs from the archives, uncover the stories they tell, capture their own images, and become storytellers too
No experience is necessary. Bring a camera or smartphone (or one will be provided).
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between July 9 and 15.
A 23-year-old West Haven man was charged with larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny, after an investigation into the October 4 thefts of tires and wheels from Honda of Westport. The loss and associated damage was estimated at $15,530. He posted a $75,000, and was turned over to Stamford Police, who also held a warrant for his arrest.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Driving while texting: 7 citations
Traveling unreasonably fast: 5
Failure to renew registration: 5
Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 5
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
Failure to obey traffic control regulations: 2
Criminal trespass: 1
Reckless driving: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
Passing in a no-passing zone 1
Failure to obey stop sign: 1
Following too closely: 1
Improper turns: 1
Failure to grant right-of-way: 1
School zone violation: 1.
Criminal trespassing is a crime.
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Longtime Westporter and civic volunteer Mary Shaughnessy died peacefully in November in Stamford, 2 days after celebrating her 95th birthday.
Raised on a Minnesota farm during the Depression, and one of 10 children, she was Homecoming Queen at Rochester High School.
She put herself through the University of Minnesota by working at the Mayo Clinic. She then taught physical education and health at Minnetonka High School.
Mary was married for 60 years to Tom Shaughnessy. Together, they raised 6 children.
In Westport Mary was active with the Church of Assumption, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and was the only female coach of Westport’s first co-ed softball league.
Mary is survived by her children and their spouses: Tom of River Forest, Illinois; Mary Kay of Stamford; Elizabeth of Nashville; Peggy of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Patrick of Redwood City, California and John of Coral Gables, Florida; 11 grandchildren, and her siblings Margaret Tushaus, Donna Mae Stock and Eugene Tushaus.
Carolyn Doan sends a pair of spectacular “Westport … Naturally” photos.
She reports: “The Fresh Market osprey is getting ready to leave the nest.
“There is one chick this year. It can lift itself high above the nest. and is now assessing the idea of leaving. Proud parent looks on as this unfolds.”
And finally … see you tonight at our “06880” blog party (story above)!
(Sure, it’s hot. But the AC is cranking at “06880” Central, and we’re pumping out our usual mix of news, events, features, photos and more, without letup. Please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
Posted onJune 13, 2025|Comments Off on Lloyd Allen Grows “Organic” New Musical
Generations of Westporters know and love Lloyd Allen.
The eponymous owner of Double L Market (get it?) serves extra-fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, bread, meat, fish, baked goods, soups, salads and flowers — and plenty of wisdom, about all of those and everything else — from his down-home store on Post Road East, next to Calise’s Deli.
Lloyd Allen, outside his Double L Market.
Some of his many customers/friends may know about Lloyd’s artistic side. When he moved from Texas in the early 1970s, he worked in the Metropolitan Opera’s millinery department.
He later designed and produced women’s clothing. When MTV launched, he wrote and produced their first fashion video.
And — hey, this is Westport!— Lloyd wrote “Being Martha,” a fan bio about you-know-who.
Now he’s got another project. Soon, we’ll see the fruits of his labor. “Screen Time” — a new musical Lloyd wrote — debuts at the Westport Library July 20.
It tells the story of Angie (a bookeworm) who meets Marshall (a coder) building Angela (an AI chatbot).
The humans fall in love. Marshall introduces Angie to his influencer friends. Cautious at first, she acquiesces. With Angela’s guidance, she becomes a viral influencer.
The cast includes many well known locals (and influencers). Among them: leads Emily Hall and Jayden Saenze, plus Zac Mathias, Stephanie Webster, Nina Clark, Megan Shinella, Meghan Hedge and Genie Morris. Eric Kupper is the musical director.
Emily Hall rocks “Screen Time.”
“Screen Time”‘s plot is as modern as it gets. But it’s been 20 years in the making.
Lloyd started on a musical 2 decades ago. He finally dusted it off, got past writer’s block (with help from Stephanie), and reworked it.
The original romcom was “20 years too early,” Lloyd says. The theme still works, though: “How do you stay in love while dealing with the good and bad sides of technology?”
The show is already on Instagram (@ScreenTimetheMusical). Fans can follow the production, as it builds to the Library launch.
“We’re adding to it all the time,” he says. “The whole thing is very organic.”
And organic is something Lloyd Allen — as a playwright and fresh produce store owner — knows very, very well.
(“06880” regularly covers local businesses, the arts, the Library — and their intersections. If you enjoy stories like this one, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Comments Off on Lloyd Allen Grows “Organic” New Musical
As the owner of the Double L Farm Stand, Lloyd Allen is directly impacted by the Post Road East renovation project.
It started last month. It will last last least 2 years. And — with big machines, barrels and noise — it’s taking place right in front of his store.
One sign near the Double L Farm Stand …
But his take is not the teeth-gnashing, eye-rolling, middle-finger-pointing you’d expect. Lloyd says:
The other day I was chatting with the policeman on duty. I told him that if anyone came into Double L complaining, I’d tell them to save it and keep it outside.
His matter of fact response: “Yeah, it’s Westport. Traffic’s bad everywhere“
Yes! It is bad, especially summertime. It gets worse by the day.
But hey, all this traffic is a testament to the fine community Westport has become. It’s a nice place to live. A nice place to bring up your kids. I know change can be tough. Real tough when it crimps your style — especially your driving style.
Early on I have to admit I too had a little dread. Then I decided to find the positive sides to the situation.
… and another.
What may not be immediately apparent is that when finished, this crew will have fixed a drainage problem in a low-lying area of Westport. In the past some residents found themselves stranded in deep waters, cars flooded, further down the Post Road.
Then there’s this: Just last week, a DayGlo vested man walked into The Double L. I asked his position on the project. He said he was foreman on the night crew on the Merritt Parkway (“I’m one of the guys everyone yells at every night there”).
He added that he had a meeting with the foreman of the Post Road project. He’s a real gentleman too, as are all the men working on this project.
I’ll go even further. These guys are artists, all working together to create a beautiful roadway. Take a look! Engineering a road is no easy feat.
Lloyd Allen, at the Double L Farm Stand.
When I was over on Kings Highway North, I ran an ad in the paper with this lead line: “I’ve Been Driving By For Years, and Finally Decided To Stop.”
That’s what’s happening now. People have to slow down. They go slower, pull in, and are pleasantly surprised at their roadside find.
The last sentence on that old newspaper ad read: “Hey, I haven’t see you in a while.”
The response was: “I’ve been too lazy to take a left.”
One more thing: I’ve noticed that most of the time the line of traffic out here moves faster than the one at Starbucks. I’ve been in both.
For over 30 years, Lloyd Allen has served Westporters.
First at actual farm stands, now in a Post Road store next to Calise’s, he offers the freshest fruits, vegetables, eggs, bread, meat, fish, baked goods, soups, salads and flowers.
For the past 14 months though, he’s actually had to serve his customers.
COVID dealt a death blow to many small businesses. Food services were particularly hard hit.
Lloyd Allen, outside his Double L Market on the Post Road.
But Lloyd knows his onions. As soon as the pandemic shut his doors last March, he pivoted. His Double L Market pivoted immediately to curbside.
“We didn’t dither,” Lloyd says. “We transformed completely into a warehouse.”
Unlike many markets, he did not create a website for customers to order from.
Double L Market is always in season (Photo/Ed Simek)
Working with Apple (the company, not the fruit), he devised a text-based ordering system. Rather than clicking items into a virtual “shopping cart,” Double L developed a friendly, interactive conversation-style experience.
Customers texted what they wanted. Armed with iPhones and iPads, employees filled orders. If they had a question — “What kind of berries exactly?” or “We’re out of those potatoes; what would you like instead?” — they texted immediately.
Employees texted again when the order was ready for pickup.
At first, customers simply sent lists: “2 blueberries, 1 strawberry, 3 broccoli crowns, 4 honey crisps, 2 little gems, 1 cauliflower white, 1 baby bok choy.”
Soon, they started adding messages: “2 raspberries, 2 chicken empanadas, 1 piece of salmon. You rock!”
One customer asked Lloyd to recommend items. “Peaches?” he asked. “Sure! 4 is good!” came the reply.
“It felt like texting a friend,” Lloyd says. That makes sense. Most of his customers already were friends.
Vendors got into texting mode quickly too:
Last weekend — for the first time since March 2020 — Lloyd opened Double L Market’s doors back up.
Many customers were grateful. Perhaps 20%, he estimates, had never been inside before. They’re new arrivals to town, who know his store only through curbside.
They are thrilled to finally roam the aisles.
Customers who knew Double L from before were impressed too. The long shutdown proved to be a good time to paint and freshen up the interior.
But other people like the convenience of texting and pickup. They want to keep shopping that way. So Lloyd will continue offering the option.
He’ll also still deliver to local customerx who for any reason cannot come to him.
Back in business — indoors.
Lloyd’s quick pivot enabled him to keep all his employees, throughout the entire 14 months. He did not even need a PPP loan to keep going.
In fact, he says, he even hired out-of-work restaurant employees to help.
Lloyd left nothing to chance. During the darkest times, he divided his crews into 2. Each worked separate days. That way, if one was diagnosed with COVID, only half of his staff would have to quarantine.
The “time off” — Lloyd was on only one crew — offered him time to start a blog. He writes deftly about food, in all its forms: what’s at the market, how it got there, and much more.
As he spoke about the past 14 months, Lloyd grew emotional. He’s proud of what he and his employees accomplished, gratified at the loyalty and trust his customers showed, and happy to be back.
All his life he’s watched farmers sow, nurture and reap.
Lloyd Allen is one of the most chill people I know.
The owner of Double L Market has cultivated a loyal clientele. Customers love his fresh, local, organic, free-range, gluten-free and grass-fed meats, produce, seafood and more. They come not just to buy, but to banter with him.
He’s been operating for more than 30 years, first in actual farm stands, now in a Post Road store next to Calise’s.
Lloyd Allen, outside his Double L Market on the Post Road.
But yesterday Lloyd was upset. Also angry, appalled and disheartened.
His voice shook as he told me that 2 weeks earlier, the Westport Weston Health District inspected Double L, and gave him a 94.
On Wednesday, another inspection. Another grade of 94.
But then, he said, he got a call. There was a problem with labeling, he was told. He said he’d be in at 8:45 yesterday morning.
At the meeting he was told: “You’ve got a serious problem. We’re going to close you down today.”
The problem was with labels on salsa, tomato sauce and canned peppers. They did not include the weight, or indicate where the products came from.
He asked exactly what was needed to rectify the problem. “I don’t know,” a young inspector told him.
She said the state Department of Consumer Protection might be involved too.
Lloyd told “06880” that Double L buys from producers with HACCP food safety accreditation — “and you can’t get higher than that.”
Westport Weston Health District inspectors at Double L Market. (Photo/Lloyd Allen)
The WWHD inspector came into his store, and embargoed everything she said was improperly labeled.
Lloyd does not dispute the need for proper labeling. His issue, he says, is that he was not told earlier about the issue, offered a chance to rectify it — or even given the proper information on what he needed to do.
He is also furious at the way he was treated.
“They showed me no respect,” he said. “I’ve been here for 35 years. I have the healthiest, freshest stuff in town. I love local. I work with big farmers and small farmers.
“I’ve made this town better. I’ve worked with so many kids. The Health Department used to come in, and tell me what was needed. This time they just came in and acted, without any respect at all.”
He worried yesterday he might be shut down, right before Mother’s Day.
Double L Market is still open — though there are empty shelves where his salsa, tomato sauce and canned peppers used to be.
Empty shelves at the Double L market.
“It’s like I was walking down the street with my baby, and someone suddenly grabbed me and shook the baby,” Lloyd said.
Bert Porzio is one of Westport’s all-around good guys.
The tree service owner lends a hand — no questions asked — in emergencies large and small. He helps families in need, Little League fields — you name it, Bert’s there.
With all those trees, it’s no surprise that a side gig is selling firewood. For years, customers picked up cords at the Mobil Self-Serve next to Barnes & Noble. Many say it’s the best wood around.
Unfortunately, the gas station closed earlier this fall. With winter near, what’s a Westporter to do?
Lloyd Allen to the rescue!
The owner of Double L Farm Stand less than a mile west of the Mobil station told Bert he’s happy to sell his firewood.
For over 3 decades, Westporters have known — and loved — the Double L Farm Stand. Lloyd Allen’s Post Road spot is the place for locally grown fruit and veggies, grass-fed beef, banter and community.
For more than 5 years, it’s also been a library.
Every 2 or 3 weeks, someone leaves a book just underneath the front window. Most are by best-selling authors, and/or from the New York Times bestseller list.
Some of the books left underneath the farm stand’s front window.
Lloyd has no idea who his secret donor is. Nor does he know why he or she does it.
But he’s built a very nice lending library. His customers love it.
And — just like Lloyd’s produce — it’s growing very nicely.
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