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Westport Gourmet Store Proves Love Is In The Air - And Behind The Counter

RIVERSIDE, Conn. -- Love is practically baked into every cookie and cupcake at Aux Délices, with locations in Riverside, Greenwich, Darien and Westport. And not just because Valentine's Day is a mere two days away. It's because many of the staff here met and married as a result of working at one of the gourmet food store's four locations.

Debra Ponzek and Gregory Addonizio, owners of Aux Délices.

Debra Ponzek and Gregory Addonizio, owners of Aux Délices.

Photo Credit: Submitted
The exterior of Riverside store.

The exterior of Riverside store.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick
Some cakes at the Riverside location.

Some cakes at the Riverside location.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick
The Riverside store gears up for Valentine's Day with cupcakes and chocolate.

The Riverside store gears up for Valentine's Day with cupcakes and chocolate.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick

The family-owned business, founded by married couple -- Gregory Addonizio and Debra Ponzek -- has been going strong since 1995 when the first location opened in Riverside. 

The two, married 20 years, met at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and seem to have created a nice balance. Ponzek handles the culinary side of things, while Addonizio handles the business end.

As for the other married staff on their team? Ponzek guestimates five to six couples have met and married as a result of working for the company.

They have come from all departments of the business -- retail staff, cooks, accounting, pastry chefs and accounting.

"Generally the couples that have become romantically involved either do not work in the same store, or in the same department," she said. 

"I like to think we've created a really nice place for people to work -- and it really feels like a family," she added. "We are all here to contribute to the business and work together because we love what we do."

For more information, hours and locations, visit the website for Aux Délices.

 

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