A cooperative effort of the Voice and West Haven EDC
Ahhhh…that salty tang in the air is unmistakable…it’s a summer day at the beach, and West Haven boasts the longest public beach in the state, a beautiful sweep around the harbor and the sound with its expansive views of the lighthouses, breakwaters and Long Island. And let’s not forget the boardwalk, picnic groves, playgrounds, spacious green fields and Savin Rock standing sentinel as it has for millennia.
Planning a perfect beach day can be as simple as throwing a drink and a snack into a bag and heading down to the shore, or it can involve a little more. There are businesses in town ready to help provide a wonderful experience for you, and the Economic Development Commission would like to focus on two of them today.
You can begin your beach day at the Prospect Beach Deli on Ocean Avenue…or end it there…or wedge it firmly in the middle of a day chock full of fun. Recently given the honor of being chosen the best deli in New Haven County, it opened in 2018 after Duffy’s owner Chris Walsh decided the location was perfect for his vision of an oceanside establishment. Extensive renovation was done to transform the tatterdemalion grocery which formerly occupied the space to a sparkling shop with an upscale New England beach vibe.
Manager Chris Serra says that the most unique item on the menu is the honey garlic shrimp quesadilla, which continues to garner a substantial following, though he adds that “the fan favorite is definitely the West Shore Cheesesteak.”
There’s also that location, location, location. There are picnic tables alongside the deli that take in the beach view, but many people order and enjoy their food at the beach itself – maybe on a bench or maybe on a beach towel. The fact that the deli now carries slushies and soft ice cream is also a great addition to any shore sojourn. But Serra says that the main attraction is the combination of a high quality deli sandwich – hot or cold – plus the interactive relationship the business maintains with its customers. “We know our regulars by name, and people are loyal to us,” he says with a grateful smile. “During the pandemic, people lined up outside in the cold to support us.” That’s a business we want as part of our beach day!
A short trip down the road brings us to the Savin Rock Surf Shop in the Savin Rock Parkade, which owners George Curtis and Kevin Darcey, born and raised near our beaches,opened a few years ago. Darcey explains the decision to open a surf shop after a late-night discussion on the potential of our shoreline and how it was ripe for a business catering to beach activities. “It’s such a shame that such a beautiful natural resource is so underutilized by both West Haveners and out-of-towners alike,” he says.
“Kayaks and paddleboards are the biggest attraction,” he continues. “Customers also like our hands-on approach, with training and safety procedures ensuring that they’ll have a fun and safe experience.” The shop also delivers equipment to the beaches as well as to private homes for parties, gatherings, corporate events and small group excursions – the only rental shop in the area that delivers “with a cool bus”, laughs Darcey.
The shop rents bicycles for beach jaunts, and also stocks fishing gear, chairs, umbrellas, canopies, hammocks and coolers for rent, as well as selling sunglasses and sunscreens, t-shirts, mugs, local artisan work, kites and kids’ items – sidewalk chalk, goggles and beach toys – everything you need for a great day at the beach.
Darcey adds that the addition of Lilybridge accessories has been a huge success. These colorful, tropically themed bags and clutches are produced by a company co-owned by West Haven native Abby Votto Belge, and are huge (and expensive) sellers in places like Martha’s Vineyard and the Bahamas. They’re exclusive locally at the Surf Shop (and won’t set you back anything like what they would if you did your shopping in Negril, Nantucket or Newport).
Nevertheless, Darcey says that the shop’s most unique draw is “the one-of-a-kind experience of being able to say that [you’ve] kayaked or paddled Bradley rock and the point.”