Putting the 'Plus' In Glen's Variety Plus Store

Few people can multi-task like Glen Dudas. As the longtime owner of Glen's Variety Plus store on New Canaan Avenue, the Norwalk resident is a postman, gatekeeper of lottery tickets, and a distributor of the million and one things in his store. He's in perpetual motion as he serves his faithful and loyal customers.

"I don't need to go to the gym, that's for sure," said Dudas, who has owned his store for 20 years. "By the end of the day, I'm ready to drop."

Dudas starts his day at 5:15 a.m and finishes somewhere around 6 p.m. In between, he weighs and sends out packages, faxes letters and documents, and does everything but pour coffee for his customers. Dudas makes it, but they fill up their own cups.

"We do a little bit of everything," he said. "When we opened it up I tried to do more services and things other stores didn't have. Copies, faxing, and the little things that others don't do. It's really been enjoyable."

Dudas runs what it is truly a family business. His son, Doug, 28, and his wife, Bridget, also work in the store. They have become a big part of the community as many residents go to their store for great service and a friendly hello.

"It's a neighborhood store and we know most of the people," Dudas said. "We see a lot of the same people every day and that's makes it good."

Dudas has a contract with the US Postal Service to send out letters and packages, but unlike the mailman, he works on Sunday. Dudas, who has the stamina of a marathon runner, puts in a half-day, yet still wears out the carpet as he goes from station to station delivering the goods to his customers.