UPDATE: Still Fighting to Protect the Old Mill Grocery & Deli in Westport

Oct 27, 2025

Dear Friends,

It has been a while since our last update, and we want to thank you for your patience and continued support. Many of you have reached out or noticed that our “Don’t Kill the Old Mill” signage around town has come down. We paused our public campaign earlier this summer when the plaintiffs in the lawsuits against the Town of Westport and the Soundview Empowerment Alliance (SEA) invited us to enter settlement discussions. We agreed to do so in good faith, hopeful that we could resolve things amicably and move forward together.

After months of discussion, those negotiations have stalled. The legal actions are still active, and the threat to The Old Mill Grocery & Deli and SEA’s charitable mission to Preserve History and Serve Good remains very real. The next hearing before the Connecticut Liquor Control Board is scheduled for October 30.

As a reminder, these lawsuits and petitions seek to overturn zoning regulations that allow the store to operate as it does today, and to revoke the Romanacci Group’s license to serve beer and wine, both of which are essential to the store’s survival. Even if the plaintiffs ultimately fail in court, the cost of defending these actions continues to drain the limited resources of both SEA and the operator.

The plaintiffs’ hypotheticals centered on fears that beer and wine service at the Old Mill Grocery & Deli would lead to traffic congestion, parking issues, late-night noise, under-age drinking, and a loss of neighborhood character. They also questioned the Town’s zoning and licensing decisions.

In reality, none of these predicted problems have occurred in the more than a year since operations began. The store continues to operate responsibly and respectfully, with strong community support and no evidence of the harms alleged.

We remain committed to protecting this 106-year-old neighborhood institution, not only for what it represents, but for the people it brings together and the opportunities it creates.

How you can help:

1. Donate to Soundview Empowerment Alliance to help fund our legal defense.

2. Sign and share the “Don’t Kill the Old Mill” petition if you have not already.

3. Join our newsletter at www.soundviewempowerment.org to stay informed about hearings, progress, and community events. Please note that Change.org does not share supporter contact information, so joining through our website ensures you receive updates directly.

4. Follow us on social media and share updates to help spread the word.

5. Reach out to local and state officials to express your support.

   
   

This fight is about more than a building. It is about preserving a space that has always belonged to the community, a place where history, inclusion, and connection meet. Together, we can ensure that the Old Mill Grocery & Deli continues to serve as a gathering place for generations to come.

With gratitude,

The Soundview Empowerment Alliance Board