Darien Sport Shop landmark spruce doesn't survive storm

The landmark 110-foot tall Norway spruce that has witnessed a century of growth in downtown Darien and has heralded the holiday season for more than 30 years with the glow of its thousands of lights will soon become one of the latest casualties of the March storm.

With its root system weakened by the combination of over-saturating rains and near hurricane force wind gusts, local tree expert Tom O'Neill, owner of O'Neill's Tree Service, has advised the Zangrillo family (owners of the property that is home to the Darien Sport Shop) that the tree's safety is now severely compromised and that it must come down.

"It is very, very sad to lose such a special tree," O'Neill said. "I, personally, have been fertilizing, pruning, and mulching its base for over 25 years and hate to see its time come to an end."

Stephen F. Zangrillo, founder of the Darien Sport Shop, was saddened by the decision to remove the tree.

Recollecting that the tree was on the property when he moved there in 1954, and had already been saved once in 1978, he added that it will be a noticeable void in the store's park-like vista that will take another century to replace.

"I have looked at that tree every morning for over 63 years and have admired its majesty and strength," he said. "I am heartbroken."

Gina Zangrillo, President of the Darien Sport Shop and daughter of the founder, views the loss of the tree from another perspective.

"The tree has always been a symbol of the growth of our family's business in town," she said. "From the store's humble roots at its first location just down the Post road, to the unique family department store that it is now; I share the memory with all generations of my family, gathering at the beginning of each holiday season and signaling my father to switch on the lights that brought the magic of the holidays to town. Losing this tree is like losing a member of our family."

Zangrillo also commented on her search for a replacement.

"A 110-foot tree is a huge void for the town's landscape ... after a serious search, we have found a spectacular 30-foot Norway spruce to be planted in its place."

This new tree will continue the tradition set by its predecessor and will be adorn with lights to herald the arrival of this year's holiday season.

The big tree at the Darien Sport Shop parking lot is scheduled to be removed near sunrise Monday, April 12. Plans for its remains are still uncertain at this time, although the Zangrillo family is hoping to find some environmentally friendly use which may include free mulch for area gardeners or lumber donated to help Habitat for Humanity to preserve the tree's legacy.

The Darien Sport Shop has been a landmark in the Darien downtown business district since Steve Zangrillo founded it in 1946. After more than six decades of service to the community, this family business that started as a single room sporting goods store has grown to include specialty departments offering men's, women's and children's fashions, several designer boutiques and a premier collection of swim, sports and ski apparel and equipment. The Darien Sport Shop is dedicated to being a good neighbor in the communities it serves and helps others through numerous outreach initiatives. For more information, please contact the Darien Sport Shop at 203-655-2575 or visit www.dariensport.com.