By Dave Matlow
Elvira’s, the iconic convenience store opposite Old Mill Beach, will reopen around July 4 as Elvira Mae under the new ownership of Westport newcomers Hal and Betsy Kravitz.
Hal and Betsy Kravitz with Hal’s son, Sam, 14 at the new Elvira Mae today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
The couple, who relocated from southern California to Westport in October, have been busy overseeing renovations to the store even before the sale closed earlier this month from the Yiovanakos family, who operated Elvira’s for 22 years.
According to Betsy, the store will open every day for breakfast and lunch items at 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. and then operate from a front store serving window from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The after hours offerings will include ice cream, grab and go items, and bulk candy.
Busy getting ready for the opening of their new enterprise, Betsy said she completed her food certification requirements today at a facility in Rye, New York.
Renovations were in progress today aiming for a July 4 opening. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“The certification requirements are exactly the way we’ve been handling our food at home for years…so Betsy is now extra certified,” said Hal.
Their son, Sam, 14, a rising eighth grade student in the Atlanta, Georgia area school system, will spend time assisting his father and stepmother in the new business this summer.
“Westport’s a great place,” he said today as he visited the store. “I like it here a lot.”
The Kravitzs said they were eagerly looking forward to the opening, serving the neighborhood, and preserving a little bit of Westport history.
