By Gordon Joseloff

Westport’s Main Street is getting a Deli back. Rye Ridge Deli will open next year in space long occupied by Oscar’s Delicatessen, 159 Main St.

Partners Mike Ventorino (l) and Scott Martin today in the future home of Rye Ridge Deli and Restaurant at 159 Main St.. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Partners Scott Martin and Mike Ventorino will open the third Rye Ridge Deli sometime early next year, they said today.

Other Rye Ridge Delis – described as a New York Kosher-Style Deli and Restaurant—are in Rye Brook, N.Y. and Stamford.

Oscar’s closed in August a week before the death of longtime owner Lee Papageorge after a 42-year presence on Main Street. (See WestportNow Aug. 8, 2016)

William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty announced today the firm’s Westport brokerage will support the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program by hosting an official collection point.

The company said it would accept new, unwrapped toy donations dropped off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. business hours through Dec. 22 at its office at 199 Post Road East.

Toys for Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, in which new, unwrapped toys are collected and distributed as Christmas gifts to the less fortunate children of that specific campaign’s local community.

“We are humbled to be taking part in this great local cause,” said Marc Caldarone, manager of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty’s Westport brokerage.

It was an ironic announcement for this Small Business Saturday. Alice and David Marks, owners of Learning Express Toys, 425 Post Road East in the Compo Shopping Center, informed customers today they are closing after 21 years in Westport. “We have finally succumbed to the predatory nature of e-commerce in general, and Amazon more specifically,” said David. He said the store would offer 30 percent off all merchandise until the stock runs out. Six store employees will lose jobs as a result of the closing. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

By Dave Matlow

Westport’s iconic Art’s Deli at 13 Post Road West, near the intersection of Riverside Avenue, is under new ownership.

Art’s Deli, 13, Post Road West, will become Winfield Street Italian Deli. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

Breno Donatti, the new owner, also owns Norwalk’s Winfield Italian Deli, 69 Winfield St., and, since February, Winfield Street Espresso & Panini Bar, 4 Railroad Place, across from the Westport Metro-North Railroad Station in Saugatuck.

He said the name of the Post Road West business will be renamed Winfield Street Italian Deli once all town-required permits are approved and issued. 

Donatti said Richard Falcone Sr., former owner of Art’s Deli, recently underwent bypass surgery and is recuperating in Florida.