Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk to Unveil 300 lb. Bronze Statue of Store Founder
Grand Reopening Celebration with Local Officials After $30 Million Store Renovation
Norwalk, CT – June 19, 2024 – Farm fresh food store Stew Leonard’s will unveil a 300 lb. handmade bronze statue crafted in honor of store founder Stew Leonard, Sr. on Friday, June 21 at 10 a.m. Local officials will join the Leonard family at the unveiling ceremony, which is the kickoff to a month-long grand reopening celebration of the company’s flagship store in Norwalk.
Stew Leonard, Sr., a local milkman who opened Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk in 1969, passed away in April of 2023 at age 93. Before the statue was cast in bronze, Mrs. Marianne Leonard, Stew’s wife, carved her initials into the statue’s belt to symbolize the pair’s 70-year marriage, which produced four children, 13 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. Stew Leonard’s remains family-owned and operated, with eight food stores throughout the tri-state area with nearly $600 million in sales.
The Norwalk store's $30 million, 2-year renovation and expansion enhanced Stew Sr’s original vision of making food shopping fun for families but still maintains the building’s original charm. The expansion furthermore makes the Norwalk location Stew Leonard’s largest supermarket with more than 140,000 square feet of retail, dining, storage, and office space. Highlights include:
- A newly built 10,500-square-foot four-season indoor garden center and an interior farmer's market, including a second-floor flex space to host birthday parties.
- The installation of more energy-efficient systems, including updated refrigeration, and LED lighting throughout the store.
- The relocation of the store’s restrooms, creating a new space for the ice cream and coffee departments and the customer service desk.
- An open-concept kitchen and barbecue department, with the smoker, the grills, and pizza ovens visible to customers as they shop.
- An extended fish bar as well as a reconfigured bakery department.
- Stew Sr’s Divco truck, which he used to deliver milk in the 1950s, was moved from Westport Ave. to the interior of the farmers’ market so that customers can take an up-close look.
Customers also will enjoy a month-long calendar of delicious demos, extra sales items, and special events to celebrate the grand re-opening of Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk.
WHEN:
Friday, June 21, 2024, at 10 a.m.
WHERE:
Stew Leonard’s, 100 Westport Ave., Norwalk, CT
MEDIA CONTACT:
Meghan Bell
203-948-7374