Organic Krush brings healthy, organic dishes to Westport

Organic Krush offers an assortment of cold-pressed juices for its customers. Taken Nov. 2, 2020 in Westport, Conn.

Walrath said both families were so used to cooking healthy options for their families, but on the road selections were slim. She said Paniccia and her both started wondering how healthy eateries didn’t exist across the country and joked they should start one.

“And then our joke turned into a reality,” Walrath said.

Just a small selection of the healthy offerings inside Organic Krush. Taken Nov. 2, 2020 in Westport, Conn.

Since then, they have opened several locations across Long Island, the Hamptons and Virginia, with the latest being located at 374 Post Road East in Westport. The new business held a ribbon cutting on Nov. 2 to commemorate its opening.

Walrath said she grew up in a family that was focused on alternative and healthy living, and Paniccia similarly grew up in a household focused on home-cooking.

“She raised her kids with that belief that fueling them with a healthy food was a part of their well-being and success everyday,” Walrath said.

Organic Krush offers an assortment of healthy tea for its customers. Taken Nov. 2, 2020 in Westport, Conn.

The health-conscious menu offers everything from smoothies, to healthy juices and acai bowls. Walrath said the business offers 100 percent organic food and customization to make eating healthy fun and interactive.

“Whether it’s the grass-fed beef, to the organic chicken, to the organic free-range eggs, we get the highest quality of the food we have on our menu,” Walrath said. “We can offer that, and then as a customer you can choose how you want to piece that meal together.”

The new space is 3,000 square feet, seats up to 75 customers indoor with a patio for additional outdoor dining.

Organic Krush employees Jaden Dupree, a Stamford resident, and DJ Elliott, a Stamford resident, celebrate the store's opening. Taken Nov. 2, 2020 in Westport, Conn.

While COVID-19 has impacted the restaurant industry, Walrath said their experience managing other locations throughout the pandemic has helped them open the new business. All of their locations have remained open while also helping to serve hospitals, domestic violence shelters and other community organizations.

“We have built a little bit of confidence understanding how restaurants needed to learn how to operate,” Walrath said. “We never shut our doors for a single day at our other six locations.”

A sign inside Organic Krush shows customers some of the specials offered. Taken Nov. 2, 2020 in Westport, Conn.

The business also follows sustainable practices.

Walrath said she and Paniccia are excited to bring what they have to offer to a town that shares similar passions for healthy living, and sensitivity to the environment.

“People in Westport care about the environment, as do we,” she said.

dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com

A sign shows customers what Organic Krush has to offer. Taken Nov. 2, 2020 in Westport, Conn.

Organic Krush held a ribbon-cutting on Nov. 2, 2020 to celebrate the business' opening. Taken in Westport, Conn.