Renovated Head Store turns out the neighborhood

Renovated Head Store turns out the neighborhood!

EverythingWestport.com

August 30, 2008

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Rory Couturier is quick with a smile. The new, sociable proprietor of the Country Store at the Head Town Landing was greeting customers at 6 a.m. on opening day. “Ronnie (the previous owner) told me to be prepared for the rush of neighbors seeking Ray’s Eggs first thing in the morning,” Rory said. “Them folks sure do like those eggs,” he quipped.

Rory and his wife Kathy (pictured left) have spent the last few months transforming this old-time, corner convenience store into a fresh, new destination point for neighbors and friends to gather over a cup of Green Mountain coffee, blended to their taste of course! The modern, spacious interior is more reminiscent of an urban variety store or a Starbucks, with technology enhancing functionality, and the glitter of contemporary merchandising adding eye appeal.

But then you look around. The wide, southern pine floors and ceiling, and the fully windowed interior beckon customers to stay an extra minute or so, socializing with friends, and catching up on neighborhood news. Friendly, courteous clerks smile and ask how you are doing today. Penny candy housed in row after row of glass canisters waiting for small hands to seek them out. All the amenities of a family-owned general store.

From an historical perspective, the location of the Country Store at the Head Town Landing has a rich and storied past. According to the book “Head of Westport” compiled by the Westport Historical Commission in 1987 and based on the notes of Westport historian Eleanor Tripp, Percy Macomber in the early 1820’s moved his store from the blacksmith shop area to the north side of Old County Road by the east side of the river and went into partnership with John Anthony. Soon after, Abner and Adam Gifford built a store alongside, but did not stay in shopkeeping for long. Their son, C. A. Gifford, built a new store on the site of Macomber’s and Anthony’s in 1889 and it became the post office. The last owner of this property as it existed in the 19th century was J. M. Shorrock.

“I remember buying penny candy in that store,” said 90-year-old Bill Pierce of Pine Hill Road, Westport. “I was about 9 years old. I remember that it was a wooden building.” Shorrock’s was a general dry goods and grocery store with a common supply of all farmers’ needs.

The timing was right to make a change.

“I was in retailing for 30 years,” Mr. Couturier said. “Three years ago I started thinking about this venture, and when Ronnie and Sue Meunier put the R & S Variety Store up for sale, I moved my project to the front burner. This is my thing now!”

“The timing was right to make a long-term investment for the kids,” Mr. Couturier said. “I didn’t want to run a convenience store. Kathy and I are thrilled that we will have a destination point at the Head.” Part café and bakery, part convenience, part creamery (Bliss ice cream), lunch items, and penny candy. Something for everyone. The general store of the 21st century. “We will have a wireless internet connection in the very near future,” Mr. Couturier said. “And ice cream will be served year round! Lottery will be hooked up in about three weeks.”

The Head of Westport, like Westport Point, has an area history dating back to the old mills and whaling. As the area prospered, so did the Head businesses, turning a rural farming village into a retailing and commercial center. But after the turn of the 20th century business ebbed as the automobile expanded people’s horizons.

Now the Head is on a rebound. The 1800’s homes are being restored, and small business is one again on the rise. “Part of the charm of this area is the village-like quality of the people,” Mr. Couturier said. “We wanted a warm and friendly social center for customers to relax, enjoy a coffee and pastry in the morning, stop in for lunch, and pick up sundries on the way home from work.”

The hundreds who turned out Saturday to welcome the Couturiers seemed to agree. Anne and Roger Griswold from up the street stopped by Saturday morning. “The store is new and bright and a different format, much less a variety store and yet much more. The ice cream is a welcome addition to the head. I think it’s terrific,” Roger Griswold said. “I like it and I’m delighted it opened.”

Samantha Ladd, owner of Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures (across the street) with husband Carl is delighted. “I love it! They have my favorite ice cream – black raspberry chocolate chip,” she laughed. Mr. Couturier said he has talked to Osprey Sea Kayak about providing box lunches for kayakers.

Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Left to right: (1) From the left - Kathy Couturier, Stacy Beaulieu, Katelyn Couturier (daughter), Shelby Normandin, Kate Carpenter, Lindsey Couturier (niece), and friend Melissa Vadeboncoeur with the ice cream; (2) the inviting tiled coffee and espresso corner; and (3) the wide, southern pine floors and ceiling, and the fully windowed interior beckon customers to stay an extra minute or so, socializing with friends.

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