West Lane Pizza & Deli​​ Under New Ownership in Ridgefield

RIDGEFIELD, CT — A popular eatery in town has changed ownership and hopes Ridgefielders won't mistake that for closing its doors.

New owner Kosta Efstathiades says West Lane Pizza & Deli, which his father sold to previous owners John and Anna Saoulidis in 1988, won't miss a day of business. It's even keeping the same name, menu and employees, he says. The only changes will be the addition of daily hot specials and a new employee helping out on the register "to help with stock and prep."

Efstathiades said there are "false accusations" that West Lane Pizza & Deli went out of business when it changed hands away from the Saoulidis family on Dec. 31, and is concerned that residents know that the rumors of its death are only that.

"We're still in business and going to be better than ever," he said.

Efstathiades, a Wilton resident, continues to operate the I Park Grill on 761 Main Avenue in Norwalk, a corporate cafeteria for the medical building located there, but says he plans to be on site in Ridgefield in the beginning. His Norwalk location had a captive trade with little incentive to market itself, but Efstathiades says he will expand his new venture's online presence and e-commerce capabilities if the needs merit.

The new owner believes he is in the right place at the right time in Ridgefield.

"There really is not much around this area where people can stop and grab a bite to eat, get a cup of coffee, or some snacks," he told Patch.

Efstathiades says some changes are in the pipeline, but they are all positive, and include upgrades in the form of new deli cases, floors and lights. "We're going to bring it up to date, to 2020," he said.