Business

‘Apple Cart’ Owner Points To Sanitization Efforts As Tuesday Opening at Mead Park Nears

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The owner-operator of a popular gourmet food provider in Mead Park said that although he always looks forward to opening for the season, he’s “very anxious” this year with the presence of COVID-19 in the community. The Apple Cart will open Tuesday at Mead Park Lodge, according to Emad Aziz. “We are hiring a person specifically to walk around all day long and clean up, sanitize tables and chairs,” Aziz told NewCanaanite.com. The Apple Cart is one of several local businesses that’s communicating with customers about on-site safety measures as New Canaan adjusts in the wake of a confirmed case of COVID-19 here. Reported Wednesday by emergency management officials, the presence of the highly contagious virus led to decisions to have New Canaan Public Schools students learn from home for two weeks, as well as the closures until further notice of New Canaan Library, Grace Farms, Lapham Community Center, New Canaan YMCA and the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, among other organizations.

Apple Cart Food Co.’s Emad Aziz Opens ‘Mead Park Lodge’ for 2019 Season

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In a sure sign that spring has arrived in earnest in New Canaan, town resident Emad Aziz has opened the Mead Park Lodge for the 2019 season. 

The owner of the Apple Cart Food Co., which celebrated its twentieth year in 2018, officially opened his pristine gourmet food counter about 10 days ago. “We opened earlier than we usually do,” Aziz said Tuesday. “The weather  was nice and I wanted to open up and to expedite the summer, to come faster. When I open, psychologically it is here.”

So are a number of new menu items, including a shrimp New Canaan Po’ Boy sandwich and salad, Tuscan Eggplant Sandwich with eggplant, pesto, roasted peppers and avocado, and Falafel Supreme Wrap with falafel with hummus, tahini, roasted peppers, pickled turnips and mixed greens. Apple Cart also has increased its gluten-free options, Aziz said.

Business

Apple Cart Food Co. Marks 20th Anniversary

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Apple Cart Food Company, happily serving New Canaan families at Mead Park Lodge, Waveny Pool and Dunning Stadium, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The business started out with some small local catering gigs alongside operations at The Lake Club and The Field Club, according to co-owners Emad Aziz and Marianne Perry. When the opportunity arose to bid operating out of the Mead Park building 12 years ago, they seized it, and have been making their house specialty, the falafel wrap, with a signature “mom-and-pop” style ever since. “I believe there’s big value in business done old-fashioned way,” Aziz said. “We’re not getting caught up in all of the Uber Eats trend.”

The pair did not even realize their company had reached the 20-year milestone until they went to local business Nurenu to develop a new logo.

Business

‘I Am Excited, I Am Happy’: Emad Aziz Opens Mead Park Lodge for 2018 Season

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As New Canaan thaws from the latest in a series of snowstorms, one sure harbinger of spring is stirring in Mead Park. Emad Aziz of the Apple Cart Food Co. has opened the Mead Park Lodge for the 2018 season, with several new items on the popular menu. “I am excited, I am happy,” Aziz said Tuesday from his pristine kitchen in the gourmet food hut. “I cannot wait until it warms up.”

The town resident is in the final year of a 5-year lease with the town.

Business

‘I’m Feeling Refreshed’: Emad Aziz Opens Mead Park Lodge for 2017 Season

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A layer of snow from last week’s winter storm still covers the ball fields and tennis courts at Mead Park. Yet with spring officially arrived and temperatures expected to soar into the high-50s on Saturday, Apple Cart Food Co. owner Emad Aziz is prepared for a rush of activity at Mead Park Lodge. “I’m feeling great, feeling wonderful,” Aziz said Tuesday afternoon from his pristine kitchen in the gourmet food hut. “I’m feeling refreshed and ready to go after a huge, long vacation.”

That would be winter, the town resident’s “off-season.”

He appears to have spent part of it coming up with new offerings for his customers.