By James Lomuscio
When Carmelo and Joe Mioli opened the Westport Pizzeria at 107 Main St. on Oct.12, 1968, a good car could be had for a couple of thousand dollars, a decent home, $30,000, and a slice, 25-cents.
Mel Mioli chats with an employee at Westport Pizzeria, a Main Street mainstay since 1968. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) James Lomuscio for WestportNow.com
On Saturday, from 11 a.m.to 5 p.m., Carmelo, (known as Mel to generations of Westporters) will turn back the clock to a simpler time—25-cents per slice and per soda—as he celebrates the pizzeria’s 45th anniversary on Columbus Day.
“It’s been a 45 wonderful years, dealing with wonderful people from all over town, and many of them have become our personal friends,” says Carmelo.
Currently, slices sell for $2.50 with tax, 10 times the original price, but still a bargain, Carmelo says.
“Think about it,” he said. “In those days you could get two slices and a Coke for 75-cents, but you could fill your gas tank for a few dollars,” he pointed out.
His brother Joe retired 10 years ago to run as the Democratic candidate for state representative, a position he was elected to for three terms before stepping down to run for the Italian parliament.
Despite all the changes in town, the Miolis have remained fixtures on Main Street, the pizzeria one of the last surviving mom and pop shops along a stretch awash in national chain stores.
Though Carmelo and Joe have been the faces of the pizzeria for decades, all of the Mioli siblings—Santo, John and Rita—have at some time worked there (John was a partner for a few years), making pies and Italian dinners and waiting tables.
“Joe and John still come into chat and to make sure I’m doing a good job,” Carmelo joked.
All of Carmelo’s nieces and nephews have worked there, too, most regularly Joe’s son Frank. Carmelo’s sons Francesco and Alessandro, have helped out summers since they were small boys through their college years. Carmelo’s wife Carrie regularly pitches in, as well.
Carmelo said that while some of his family had settled in Westchester County, he had been drawn to Westport because its beaches, the small town feel and its downtown along the Saugatuck River.
He said that it reminded him of his hometown, Santa Teresa di Riva on the eastern seaboard of Sicily, a place where his father, a native of Bologna, opened a cafe after a retiring from the armed services.
Retirement, however, is not something that Carmelo is thinking of just yet.
“I’m willing to stay as long as I enjoy doing what I’m doing,” he said.
“I did not set a limit on when I’m going to leave,” he added. “When it’s time to quit, I’ll quit.”
This is where I’ve taken all three of my kids for their first lunch at a restaurant. Great Pizza and Mel Mioli is a great guy! A Westport landmark.