One month after a court ruling put the future Old Mill Grocery in jeopardy — and still several weeks before their busy season begins — the historic Hillspoint Road deli/market/neighborhood institution is turning to the community for support.
Soundview Empowerment Alliance — the non-profit with a dual mission of preserving history and “serving good,” which owns the 107-year-old property — is asking 150 residents, customers and friends to make a pledge to support OMG.
The goal is to help the small business operated by the Romanacci Restaurant Group make it through the quieter months of the year, stabilizing operations and protecting its long-term future.
Old Mill Grocery & Deli. (Photo/Dave Dellinger)
“Our community stepped forward once before to save the Old Mill deli from demolition,” says SEA co-founder Ian Warburg.
“Now we’re asking people to step forward again to help ensure this place continues to thrive, as part of the life and rhythm of Compo Beach. It’s an important cultural resource for the neighborhood, and all of Westport.”
Old Mill Grocery & Deli was preserved in 2022, when hundreds of residents contributed to an effort to purchase the property and prevent its potential redevelopment.
Romanacci now provides a full menu, ranging from breakfast sandwiches and coffee to salads, sandwiches, pizza, entrees an prepared foods. There is seating at a communal table inside, and outdoors too.
Saturday morning, at OMG. (Photo/Jim Hood)
Many customers purchase items to go.
With its beachside location, OMG thrives during the summer. But it faces a significant challenge from mid-September through mid-June, when fewer people are in the neighborhood.
As a result — and during a protracted legal battle, with a few people opposing the deli’s alcohol sales, gelato cart and outdoor seating — SEA is asking 150 residents to shift $125 per month in spending to Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
The money can be spent on coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, takeout, catering, or special gatherings.
That would generate about $18,000 in additional monthly off-season revenue.
Community members can “Make the Pledge” by opening a house account, committing to spend $125 each month.
“This is about protecting something much bigger than a store,” says SEA co-founder Jim Hood.
“Old Mill is one of the few true ‘third places’ left in our town. It’s where neighbors see each other, conversations happen, and community life unfolds. If we want that spirit to continue for another 100 years, we need people to make Old Mill part of their weekly routine.”
“Never do we want to hear someone say, ‘I can’t believe we lost the Old Mill. That is not who we are as a community. When Westport cares about something, we show up.”
To partcipate, visit Old Mill Grocery & Deli, create a house account and “Make the Pledge.”
Possible thunderstorms have moved tomorrow’s Pops Concert from outdoors to inside.
The Staples High School Music Department says: “We continue to prioritize the safety of all students, staff and audience members. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for pre-concert acts. The concert will begin at 7. We look forward to sharing an ‘Evening at the Movies’ with you.”
The decision had to be made early, because setting up a concert of the Pops’ scope and scale takes time (and different equipment, dependng on the venue).
The music department and AV tech crew will work until midning tonight setting up the auditorium, to be ready for Friday morning’s run-through with sstudents.
The Staples auditorium’s sound and lighting replacement is long overdue. Without a working system, the school relies on rented equipment.
Despite the challenges, the hundreds of talented students and their remarkable teachers put on an excellent concert — no matter where the music comes from.
Meanwhile, the Staples Music Parents Association has arranged for Romanacci to help feed the hungry audience.
Romanacci is donating a portion of proceeds to the Staples music program. Mangia!
===============================================
The Community Gardens have garnered the most publicity from environmentalists, during debates over the new Long Lots Elementary School.
But another casualty is 25 to 30 trees. They’ll be removed, “06880” reader Margaret Freeman says, when the parking lot is reconfigured. She sent this collage:
(Photos/Margaret Freeman)
She says they were planted when the school was built in the mid-1950s, as a junior high.
And “they’re in swales, to collect water.” Each tree absorbs about 750 gallons a year, she says, citing the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.
“With the water issues well documented to the north and south of the site and the removal of the Community Gardens, this is cause for concern,” Margaret adds.
“This doesn’t have to happen. The lot could be ‘reconfigured’ to save the trees. It’s not too late.”
NOTE: Last night, both the Conservation Commission and Flood & Erosion Control Board gave their okays for the new school plans.
=================================================
Tonight’s Board of Education meeting (Thursday, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria) begins with recognition of the PTA co-presidents, Student BOE representatives Souleye Kebe and Calum Madigan, and 19 Westport Public Schools retirees: Valerie Babich, Judy Bachman, Anthony Buono, Peter Caligiure, Shauna Flaherty, James Forgey, Jane Garard, Frances Geraci, Suzanne Levasseur, Susan McCarthy, Karen McCormick, Joyce McNiff, Stephen Rexford, Mary Scaife, Anne Sheffer, Carolyn Siclari, Debra Spath, Maureen Vergato and Humphrey Wong.
After a reception, and public comments on non-agenda items, there are 3 seemingly quick agenda items: the 2025-26 school lunch program, approval of ’25-26 tuition rates, and authorization for the superintendent of schools to sign contracts.
Among this year’s retirees: assistant superintendent Anthony Buono.
Longshore Sailing School takes its maritime responsibilities seriously.
Beyond providing instruction for all ages — and rentals — they help keep the shoreline clean.
As they’ve done for many years, on June 14 they’ll lead a coastal cleanup kayaking event.
From 9:30 to 11 a.m., people can take a kayak for free to clean up the shoreline and Saugatuck River. There is plenty of debris. Longshore Sailing will supply buckets.
Here is the sign-up link. Click through to reserve a single or double kayak on the 14th at 9:30; then enter the code “cleanup” before adding to cart to delete the cost.
Among the debris from last year’s Longshore Sailing School clean-up: golf balls, from the nearby driving range.
Meet local self-help author (“Unapologetic Success” and business coach Shawniel Chamanlal (June 7, 3 p.m.)
Artist of the month: Erin Nazzaro (reception June 18, 6 p.m.); exhibit up all month.
2 raffles. There’s a prize for kids (4 lessons at the Stewie the Duck Swim School, plus a gift basket), and for adults (a sealed copy of “The New Yorker in Westport,” by Eve Potts and Andrew Bentley. Tickets are available at the store.
Short Story Book Club (June 19, 6 p.m.): Special Juneteenth stories: “King of the Bingo Game” by Ralph Ellison, “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker, “The Last Days of Rodney” by Tracey Rose Peyton. Registration is required: call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.
Erin Nazzaro
=================================================
The Cottage has always featured locally sourced food.
Its 10th-anniversary tasting menu highlights “under-appreciated seafood.” Among the menu’s highlights is a freshly caught eel, sourced locally in collaboration with Hunter Peterson of the Saugatuck Oyster Company.
Peterson’s year-round guided shell fishing tours on Long Island Sound teach participants to identify and safely harvest offerings like eastern oysters, quahogs, surf clams and slipper limpets, while addressing invasive threats such as Asian shore crabs.
Each experience concludes on the beach, where he shucks oysters and transforms slipper limpets into a delicacy with a blowtorch and herb butter.
“Working with overlooked seafood allows us to tell a deeper story about the ocean’s natural rhythms,” says Cottage chef Brian Lewis. “By embracing what’s abundant and underutilized, we create dishes that surprise, delight, and honor the ecosystem that sustains us.”
================================================
Eight members of the Artists Collective of Westport are heading north.
They’re painters, photographers and sculptors. They approach their themes in different ways.
But the women — Janine Brown, Louise Cadoux, Leonor Dao, Susan Fehlinger, Rebecca Fuchs, Fruma Markowitz, Barbara Ryan and Lisa Silberman — have found common threads.
The show — at A Mano Gallery in Torrington — is a testament to their work (and made possible by a Don Long Grant). After an opening reception on June 13 (6 p.m.), the exhibit runs through June 27.
Art by Leonor Dao.
=============================================
Westport Police made 5 custodial arrests between May 28 and June 4.
A 26-year-old Fairfield woman and a 28-year-old Bridgeport man were charged with larceny, robbery, and conspiracy to commit those crimes after a robbery at Westport Hardware. After the woman allegedly stole 2 power tools, she told an employee in the parking lot that she had a knife and the man in the car had a gun. She was charged with threatening, too. Both were held on $75,000 bonds.
A 52-year-old Philadelphia woman was charged with larceny, payment card fraud, payment card theft, identify theft, and conspiracy, following an investigation into a 2018 incident in which a wallet was stolen from a patron at Panera Bread. The suspect was transported to Westport from a prison in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after law enforcement information sharing.
A 39-year-old Westport man was charged with possession of a controlled substance and criminal trespass, after being in Terrain in violation of a trespass warning. During the arrest, he admitted to possessing Xanax and Oxycodone.
A 46-year-old West Haven man was charged with larceny, after an investigation into the theft of meat and seafood from Stop & Shop.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Driving while texting: 13 citations
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 11
Traveling unreasonably fast: 9
Failure to obey stop sign: 7
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 2
Failure to grant right of way: 1
Failure to renew registration: 1
===============================================
Staples High School Class of 1992 graduate Scott Cussimano died April 28. He was 51, and lived in Seattle.
Scott earned a BA in philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He pursued an MBA at the University of Washington, blending philosophical insight with business acumen. His business career included positions at Microsoft and Oracle. He recently established his own company, focusing on global quality-of-life initiatives.
Scott loved surfing in California and Mexico, playing frisbee with his dog, and traveling to foreign cities.
He is survived by his father, Patrick, sister Gail Cussimano, brother Erik (Margo Friedman), Cussimano and sister-in-law Margo Friedman, and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, Sissel Dreyer Cussimano.
Scott’s ashes will be scattered along the coastal waters of Santa Barbara, a place he loved.
A celebration of life takes place tomorrow (Friday, June 5, 11 a.m.; Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield). Friends can greet the family at 10:30 a.m. cClick here to send online condolences. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sierra Club.
Scott Cussimano
==============================================
Another “Westport … Naturally” feature, another coyote.
This one was spotted enjoying Susan Garment’s Pequot Trail garden.
Stay safe out there!
(Photo/Susan Garment)
=================================================
And finally … thinking about the first item above:
(It’s hard to keep up with everything happening in town. We hope “06880” helps. And to help us keep solvent, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here — and thank you!)
What do Garelick & Herbs, Romanacci, Organic Market, Kawa Ni, Rive Bistro and The Whelk have in common?
They serve the best soups in town.
That’s according to the 1,000-plus voters anyway, in this year’s Great Westport Soup Contest.
Results were announced today by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Winners by category are:
Best Chicken Soup: Romanacci
Best Vegetable Soup: Organic Market
Best Beef Soup: Garelick & Herbs
Best Matzoh Ball Soup: Garelick & Herbs
Best Asian Soup: Kawa Ni
Best Onion Soup: Rive Bistro
Best Chowder: The Whelk
Congratulations to all — particularly double-winner Garelick & Herbs (which is actually a couple of yards over the border in Southport, but who’s counting?), and Romanacci (a fourth-time champion, after winning twice for pizza and once for salad).
The winners, with Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell (blue shirt). Clockwise from upper left: Organic Market, Kawa Ni, The Whelk, Garelick & Herbs, Romanacci, Rive Bistro.
Congratulations to the Staples High School boys and girls tennis teams! Both are state champions!
The boys of coach Kris Hrisovulos defeated Westhill 7-0 yesterday, clinching their 5th straight — yes, 5th (!) — state “LL” (extra large schools) championship. They finished the season 22-1, shutting out all 4 state tournament opponents. Their only loss was to Darien, in the FCIAC final.
Singles winners yesterday were Tighe Brunetti, Robbie Daus, Brandon Felcher and Lucas Haymes. Doubles victors were Bradley Sheppard/Luke Brodsky, Alex Miller/Jack Motyl, and Matthew Chiang/Josh Suggs.
The 2021 state champion boys tennis team.
The girls of coach Paco Fabian beat Amity 4-3, for their 3rd straight title. Jenna Kornbluth’s 6-4, 6-1 victory at #4 singles clinched the match, after everyone else had finished.
Other victors for Staples: Karenna Birns (singles) and Elle Tesoriero/Audrey Kercher, and Carine Geijerstam/Maya Farber (doubles).
The 2021 state champion girls tennis team (Photo courtesy of The Ruden Report)=======================================================
Work continued on Railroad Place this morning.
During repaving, all the restaurant structures were removed. That’s done, and now all 3 restaurants — Harvest, Tarantino’s and Romanacci will be open this weekend.
In related news, Romanacci has taken over the former Commuter Coffee location It’s now a full restaurant, with bar.
Outdoors or in, Railroad Place is the place to be. And with reduced train travel, there’s plenty of parking nearby!
Your kid may not be a career farmer. But Wakeman Town Farm’s 2-week summer service program for 6th through 9th graders is a great outdoor, hands-on opportunity to learn about the land. And become more self-reliant and independent in the process.
Participants plant, water and harvest vegetables to be donated to local food pantries. Representatives from those agencies visit WTF, and discuss food insecurity in the area.
Teens and chefs also cook a nutritious meal for the Gillespie Center, using the Farm’s organic produce. They also run their own farm stand.
Students get to know the rabbits, ducks, chicken, sheep, goats and alpacas. They learn about animal care, feeding and halter training.
The program also explores environmental topics like composting, pollinator gardens and the Zero Waste initiative.
There are 4 sessions, each 2 weeks long. For more information, click here. To register, click here.
Mark Mathias spotted this at Stop & Shop yesterday:
(Photo/Mark Mathias)
Actually, the photo shows something that is not there.
Look closely. The supermarket has removed all those one-way directional arrows, which no one has followed for at least the past 10 months (if they ever did).
Stop & Shop is not the only place getting back to the pre-pandemic normal. Trader Joe’s shoppers no longer have to queue up, and be directed to a cashier; we’re now free to find our own, just as we did before March 2020.
And the Westport Weston Family YMCA has removed the absurd red tape on the stairs, demarcating the up and down sides. The staircase is way too narrow to have any effect.
Tomorrow’s “Songs for a Summer Evening: Music that Made Movies Magical” YouTube video benefits the Norwalk Sister City Project, a non-profit doing incredible community development work in a poor Nicaragua barrio.
But there’s a heavy Westport presence n the video. Broadway icon Kelli O’Hara, Staples Players stars Jamie Mann and Bridget Looby, and Emily Rabon Hall and her dad Bill Hall all join together to share the magic of music from the movies. Tom Kretsch is president of NSCP, and has worked with Bill Hall to create the video.
Click here for the link to the 7:30 video (and to donate), or click the link below:
The Westport Library’s Summer Reading Challenge is underway.
The 5th annual program — designed for adults — includes 25 categories of books. After reading one, submit it on a special web page. Then track your progress on the leaderboard.
Chalk up those categories. NOTE: Each book can be used for only one category. Click here for details.
Rae Suba’s family owns the Post Road storefront near Tiffany. She runs the Child’s Play occupational therapy center on the 2nd floor. Currently, the ground floor is vacant.
But now — just in time for tomorrow’s Pride rally, and at one of the most visible spots in town — she’s decorated it with rainbows.
She says, “It is my humble honor as a forever LGBTQIA+ ally to create this window display, in an effort to rise to the Westport Pride words: ‘Elevate. Educate. Empower.’
“These children, teens and adults deserve visibility, respect, hope, inspiration and kindness. Happy Pride Month Everyone! 🌈🌈LOVE WINS🌈🌈Compassion and empathy will save humanity. Namaste. 🙏🏼
“My clinic will always be a safe space for children, teens and young adults who are LGBTQIA+. Thank you to my family for letting me use the building display window.”
Around the corner on Jesup Green from Tiffany and Rae Suba’s rainbow storefront, Westport Book Shop has become one of Westport’s hottest destinations — and not just for used books.
Every month, a different artist is featured at the Drew Friedman Community Arts wall in the back. For June, the artist is Holly Hawthorn.
Her porcelain sculptures reflect her love of the ocean and beaches, and incorporate seashells gathered over many years of walks on beaches from Maine to Greece.
Holly is a sculptor, printmaker ceramic artist and former teacher. She studied art in the US, Italy and Greece.
The exhibit is open during the Book Shop’s business hours: Tuesdays through Fridays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m.
Speaking of art: George Billis Gallery hosts an opening reception on Friday, June 18 (146 Main Street, 4 to 7 p.m.).
New artists include Westport-based Jarvis Wilcox. The gallery says: “His lush still life paintings are poetic with much emotional connections stimulating the viewer. Wilcox brings delight and insight as he discovers seeing and then making his works of art.”
Also in the exhibit: watercolorists Derek Buckner Paul Pitsker, still life artist Julian Cardinal and ceramicist Alice Federico.
The owner of 3 very popular Westport restaurants — Don Memo, Kawa Ni and The Whelk — is opening a cafe in the new Norwalk Art Space (455 West Avenue). The breakfast and lunch menu includes flour water salt and Idylwild breads, Riverbank Farm kimchee, and barbecue smoked turkey.
Suzuki Music Schools is back to in-person learning. To celebrate, they’re hosting a free concert in the Colonial Green parking lot (246 Post Road East).
The program next Tuesday (June 8) includes great music — and food vendors.
As Westport restaurant owners get ready to reopen — outdoors only, with tables 6 feet apart and no bar service — one resident has an idea to help them succeed.
The other day, David Basich and his wife Vanessa took a walk by the train station. A daily New York commuter before COVID-19, this was his first time there in nearly 10 weeks.
That got him thinking. David says:
As I looked at the restaurants on Railroad Place — Tarantino, Harvest, Romamacci — I reflected on how tough it’s been for them (and all other restaurants around town).
I started thinking about what would put them in a position to best optimize the situation when they are able to reopen, and what would make patrons comfortable coming back. I know outdoor dining is one possible solution.
I thought it would be great if we could close down entirely the street that runs past them, and open it up entirely for outdoor seating.
Railroad Place has been closed before — for the annual Slice of Saugatuck festival.
We talked with Graziano, the owner of Romanacci, about the idea. They are the only one thus far that had carved out some small space.
Closing down the entire street would open it up even more. Restaurant-goers would feel more comfortable overall if some capacity could move outside, social distancing could be maintained more easily, and of course this would create a pretty unique al fresco dining row for Westport.
Regarding the impact on commuters, I don’t think closing this street would be too great of a hardship (at least for a while). I imagine Metro-North numbers will be down for the foreseeable future.
However, to alleviate some of the hassle, the one-way portion of Railroad Place that runs north past the parking lot off Charles Street, could be opened up to two-way traffic.
We could try this for a while — maybe through Labor Day — and readjust as things evolve.
I don’t know exactly what this would entail and how much of a hassle it would be. But I do know Westporters love our town, love dining out, and want to see these business given the best chance to survive.
“06880” readers: What do you think? Is this a good idea? Are there other places in town that could benefit from something similar? Click “Comments” below!
The Basich family (from left): Vanessa, Greens Farms Academy senior David, David Sr., Staples High School junior Lucas, Bedford Middle School 7th grader Michael. Though the photo shows them at home, they look forward to dining outside soon — perhaps on Railroad Place?
This Wednesday — May 20 — marks the day Connecticut restaurants can reopen for more than curbside takeout and delivery .
There are restrictions: For example, outdoor dining only is permitted; there is no bar service. Tables must be 6 feet apart.
That should be good news for owners, employees and diners. The restaurant industry has been one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus.
Le Penguin’s mascots are making it through the pandemic. Like restaurant owners all over town, their owners are figuring out how to adapt to new state reopening regulations. (Photo/Marcy Sansolo)
But don’t expect a rush of al fresco options 2 days from now. Several steps — beyond simply configuring space (and ordering single-use menus) — must be taken first.
Westport Planning & Zoning chair Danielle Dobin notes that Governor Lamont has temporarily suspended municipal laws regulating outdoor dining. So instead of the traditional permitting process, restaurateurs here must submit a simple application to P&Z director Mary Young.
Westport Police and Fire Department officials, along with the Westport Weston Health District, must sign off on each application. Restaurants that already have outdoor dining must apply too, ensuring they comply with revised health regulations.
Romanacci already has an outdoor dining permit. Under new regulations, tables — shown here last year — now must be 6 feet apart. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Lamont’s executive order “provides tremendous flexibility to restaurants looking to create an outdoor dining space,” Dobin says.
“Normal requirements for parking and setbacks have been waived. Restaurants can even explore using neighboring properties or parking lots, so long as the owners of those properties approve of the plan.
“Residents should expect restaurants all over the state to create larger outdoor dining areas than in the past. Our outdoor restaurant spaces will often look and feel a bit different.”
Sherwood Diner prepares for outdoor dining. (Photo/Dan Woog)
You won’t hear a lot of live music, however. Previous noise regulations remain in effect.
Dobin says that the board of selectmen are also looking at “the creative use of certain town roads to facilitate outdoor dining and outdoor shopping.”
Matthew Mandell, executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, is the restaurant liaison for the ReOpen Westport Advisory Team. On Friday he led a Zoom call, with over 3 dozen restaurant owners.
Restaurant owners and town officials joined a conference call on Friday.
“Our restaurant owners are committed to providing a safe environment for their guests,” Dobin says.
“There is no rush to reopen. Many owners will take their time. I hope that all of our residents are supportive and patient with our fabulous Westport restaurants, as they find their way in this new world.”
“This is not a race,” Mandell agrees. “Slow and steady will win this one. The goal of ensuring health and safety for customers, staff and owners will ultimately lead to everyone’s success.”
After digging themselves out — and getting power back on — “06880” readers were eager to offer up a few Unsung Heroes. Usually we wait until Wednesday, but it’s nice to strike while the iron (if not the weather) is hot.
Gil Ghitelman — who must have gotten his power back quickly — writes: “I suggest a hat tip to Eversource. Consummate professionals.”
Chip Stephens nominates the baristas at Starbucks. Despite the snow, they were there bright and early with his morning Joe.
But the greatest Unsung Hero — so far, anyway — works at a different coffee shop. JP Vellotti tells this tale:
“Like a lot of people this snowy morning, I was shoveling since 5 a.m. Like a lot of people, I needed my coffee before the train.
“The new Mystic Market was closed. Winfield Street just closed too, and Desi’s is out.
“But Romanacci — which is just taking over from Winfield — had a makeshift counter, and one pot going. The line was long, but it went fast.”
Here’s the best part: The credit card machine isn’t set up yet. So Venlich Aguilar — who is staying on after Winfield Street leaves — asked people to pay cash, if they could. Round numbers, please — too many people, so no change.
And if you had no cash — no problem. Just come back later and pay!
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
