By Dave Matlow
UPDATE The owner of the now closed Westport Baskin Robbins ice cream franchise said today he was done in not only by a higher rent but a lifestyle that frowns on high calories.
Babar Mustafa outside his closed store today: Grateful for support of Westporters. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“I was paying $5,000 rent plus $2,000 electricity,” said Babar Mustafa, who had owned the franchise for seven years and was store manager for seven years before that. “I could no longer keep the store open.”
Mustafa, who closed the store at 180 Post Road East on Monday, said the landlord, Marc Nevas, has been very kind and discounted his rent for a year but told him that they “could no longer be in business together.”
Mustafa took exception to a comment posted on WestportNow Monday night that called his landlord “greedy.”
“If there were more landlords like Marc Nevas in Westport, businesses would be better off,” he said.
He said Nevas repeatedly had offered rent concession after rent concession to him—more than he had sought—but that he could just no longer make the numbers work.
Emphasizing his gratitude for the support of Westporters over the years, Mustafa said this is not the time for an ice cream franchise here—even though Baskin Robbins has been at the same location for 40 years.
“No longer the days of banana splits—everyone is worried about calories, health conscious and only buy the children’s size cup,” he said. “People don’t enjoy anything today. They starve themselves.”
Talking about his experience in Westport he smiled widely. “I am so happy about the people of Westport,” he said. “They always were supportive of me. It’s one of the best communities anywhere.
“The children are very well mannered. I’m very impressed with Westport and its young people.”
Mustafa, 57, who has commuted daily from Hopewell Junction, N.Y. in Dutchess County, said he loves the one-hour commute each way.
“It’s the most peaceful time of his day,” he said. “I listen to music, it’s private time to think.”
Born in Pakistan, Mustafa was chief engineer for a Hong Kong-based merchant marine company before emigrating to America with his wife in 1994.
They first resided in Virginia where he managed a 7-Eleven store and then moved to New York State. 
The Baskin Robbins interior familiar to Westporters for 40 years no longer held tubs of 31 flavors of ice cream today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Married for 25 years, Mustafa and his wife, a pharmacist who owns a pharmacy in East Fishkill, NY, have three three children aged 24, 23, and 20.
“All are in college—the two oldest daughters working on advanced degrees and a son an undergraduate,” he said.
He said his oldest daughter told him, “Don’t worry Dad—I want to be a doctor and I will take care of you.”
Mustafa vividly recalls his experience as a Pakistani in Westport after 9/11.
“Everyone in Westport came into my store to support me,” he said.
He said that one of his most lasting memories is when a woman came into the shop shortly after 9/11—she was with her elderly parents—she was crying maybe because she lost someone in 9/11.
“She said through her tears she ‘does not eat ice cream but will buy some today because I do not want you to feel bad,’” Mustafa said.
As for the future, Mustafa only said: “One door closes, another door opens.”
Would that there be more folks around these days with as much class, style and grace as this man. He is an inspiration as a hard working man who ran a wonderful operation for 14 years, the first 7 as the manager before becoming the owner.
Thanks Mustafa.
I agree this is a class act. He was always on the job and helpful to all who visited his store.
Tom Bloch
Mr. Mustafa:
My children are in mourning! We will miss seeing you on our (apparently too infrequent) trips to BR.
May the next door that opens lead to much fulfillment, and include a pleasant commute for thinking.
BTW, it seems like you have some pretty great kids too.
Sad story but overlooked is the outrageous utility
bill. Ct ranks as one of the highest in the country.
I doubt a lower bill would have kept him is business but over seven years that would add up to a big chunk of change.