We urgently need your help to sustain Old Mill Grocery & Deli in 2026!
Because of your support, Old Mill Grocery & Deli (OMG&D) is once again the thriving heart of our community, welcoming more than 4,000 friends and neighbors on a regular basis. We are deeplygrateful, and we also want to recognize the Romanacci team for the food, service, and warm experience they bring to the community every day.
Today, SEA is asking for immediate support to keep this work going. In 2025, we spent approximately $35,000 on necessary building repairs and upgrades, including a new roof, HVAC work, and electrical improvements. At the same time, SEA has been required to respond to ongoing legal challenges brought by a few neighbors opposed to our efforts to preserve this 106-year-old community gathering space - and the costs have been substantial. Our legal fees in 2025 alone exceeded $75,000 - our entire annual operating budget, and we expect legal expenses to continue into 2026.
As a result, we urgently need your help to raise $100,000 for 2026 to help cover ongoing legal and operating costs to protect the long-term preservation of OMG&D, fight alongside the City of Westport to keep our doors open for generations to come, and in support of our efforts to create meaningful job training opportunities for young people with special needs.
If you are willing and able, please make a tax-deductible gift today.
How to give: Please make your check payable to Soundview Empowerment Alliance and either leave it at Old Mill Grocery & Deli or mail it to:​
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Soundview Empowerment Alliance
33 Soundview Drive
Westport, CT 06880Give
Or give online:
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Ways to Donate
Additional questions about donating?
Please contact us directly at soundviewempowerment@gmail.com
Preserving History. Serving Good. Together.
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The Soundview Empowerment Alliance (SEA) began as a local effort to save a century-old gathering place and has grown into something much larger — a movement to preserve history while creating new opportunities for belonging. When the Old Mill Store faced demolition, neighbors came together to protect this beloved landmark and keep its doors open for future generations. Today, the Old Mill Grocery & Deli continues to serve as a living reminder of what community can achieve when it acts with care and purpose.
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Your gift helps SEA carry this legacy forward. Each donation supports both the preservation of this historic shoreline landmark and SEA’s inclusive employment programs, which provide training and meaningful job opportunities for adults with disabilities. These efforts strengthen the heart of Westport, fostering connection, dignity, and shared purpose among all who live here.
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Together, we are keeping history alive and ensuring that the spirit of the Old Mill — a place where everyone is welcome and everyone has something to give — endures for generations to come.
