By Dave Matlow
Commuter Coffee, 46 Railroad Place, the iconic family-owned eatery across from the westbound platform of the Metro-North Westport station in Saugatuck for four decades, is for sale.
Family-owned Commuter Coffee has been a Railroad Place mainstay since 1976. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“It’s time to move on. We’re at the end of an era,” said owner Fred Whelan, son-in-law of original owner Tom Papan.
Papan opened the business in 1976 and expanded it in 1988 by adding an eating area.
Whelan emphasized: “We’re not closing. We’re not going out of business. We’re working closely with our landlord to make it easy for a new owner to take over, but we don’t know what a new owner will do with the space.”
I think we’re one of the oldest, continuously family-owned, shops in town,” he said.
Whelan said his father-in-law, now a Stratford resident, still comes around on weekends.
Westport resident Gregg Ryder (l), a longtime customer, talks with Fred Whelan at Commuter Coffee while picking up a takeout order. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
A listing for the property from Coldwell Banker Commercial said the asking price for the business is $219,000.
The listing adds: “Located directly across from the Westport train station with a great deal of foot traffic, ideal neighboring co-tenants, favorable demographics, convenient to all major forms of transportation, not to mention a local favorite!
“Perfect for any type of restaurant or general food use. All fixtures, furniture and equipment included in the sale.”
