Glen's Variety Plus In Norwalk Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and others were in attendance to welcome the new owner of Glen's Variety Plus during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the store Friday morning.

While the store, located at 115 New Canaan Ave., has been a staple in Norwalk for over 25 years, the ceremony was intended to welcome Kunjan "KP" Patel as the store's new owner following the previous owner's retirement.

Mayor Harry Rilling said the store's great location, convenient services and loyal customers should all contribute to the its continued success under Patel's supervision.

"That's what's good about having the small business community that we have," Rilling said. "People find a place that they're comfortable with, people find a place they like to patronize and they come back time and time again. They get to know the owner, they come in for a coffee, they come in to chat. It's really a good thing."

In addition to its wide selection of convenient products, the Glen's Variety also operates a U.S. Post Office substation inside the store to benefit the local community.

Duff said he personally has utilized the store's post office substation a number of times. He also emphasized the importance of highlighting small businesses in town like Glen's Variety Plus, as well as larger business entities.

"[Patel] has a really great following," Duff said, "and I think it's important for all of us as elected officials to make sure that we highlight our small businesses and those who are working hard to provide a convenience for customers, but also those who live in our area, and we want to support them as well."

Duff complimented the store's recent interior remodeling work, noting it appeared Patel had put his own touches on the decades-old store.

State Rep. Lucy Dathan (Norwalk/New Canaan), a Silvermine resident who lives near the store, was also in attendance for Friday's event. She said the store's recent facelift was "wonderful" and "refreshing," and wished Patel much success.

"I know it has historically been a very successful shop," Dathan said, "and I hope his future endeavors are just as equally successful."

Prior to the ribbon cutting, Dathan, Duff and Rilling took time to meet some of the store's regular customers, including John Baldino Jr., who worked at Glen's Variety for six years following his retirement.

Baldino, who was at the store Friday to grab his morning coffee, said he lives right near Glen's Variety and has met many of his neighbors and made a number of friends through interactions at the store.

"I've been in Norwalk for 21 years," Baldino said, "and I've met everybody that I could imagine meeting."

As the event came to a close, Patel said he appreciated Rilling, Duff and Dathan's support of his small business. He also appreciated being able to offer customers convenient post office services right from the store and save them the trouble of having to stand in line at the regular post office.

"We work for you, so keep supporting the small businesses," Patel said. "Anything like the post office [services], newspapers; I have everything inside the store, just come inside and enjoy it."