Darien Sport Shop - Then & Now

By Mara du Toit

When I was young, my family and I went to the Darien Sport Shop to get my first pair of skis and boots. I remember the day vividly; it was on Christmas Eve, with no snow on the ground, but the forecast called for snow flurries that night (just in time for Santa).

The Darien Sport Shop had more of a ‘sporty’ feel back then; almost like an upscale ski lodge… and though it is still a full-service sports store (an excellent one, I might add) this family-owned ‘Ma and Pa Shop’ has stood the test of time and blossomed into a full-out department store. It has top designer clothing names for boys and girls, men and women, that spans a full range of tastes.

But The Darien Sport Shop never, and I mean never, lost its vision, and stays to this day a charming and quintessential New England store that so many seek around these parts.

It’s an upscale store with all the amenities that come with it… the service was, and still is, exceptional. And when they say they know their customers by name, they really do! They knew my family by name many moons ago, and I still shop there.

And a huge perk for this mom is that this is one store I can get both my sons into happily with the knowledge that they can go look at the sports equipment while I look for a swimsuit, a bag, a dress; from informal to formal.

We had such fun that Christmas Eve; all seven (of eleven) kids swarming the ski shop and getting our equipment was a day that I shall always hold near and dear to my heart.

I shall never forget my first days with the Darien Sport Shop and certainly won’t forget my first set of skis and boots: (My skis were shiny-white, and my boots were bright red – size 5). So, go see what I’m raving about and say Mara sent you!!

Mara du Toit is an agent in our Darien office. You can reach Mara on her cell at 203.383.0275 or via email at marad@afahomes.com.