Happy Birthday, Millie!

PHOTO: Caitlin EmmaIt’s the kind of birthday reception reserved for community legends.

Dozens of people — including city and state officials — packed into Millie’s II Luncheonette on Main Street over four hours Friday to honor the fixture’s namesake: Millie Culmo. 

Millie owned the original Millie’s” on Main Street, next to the Capitol Theater, from 1963 to 1982. She turned 85 on Thursday, Jan. 5.

Her nephew, Robert Bobo” Kolakowski opened up Millie’s II further down on Main Street in 2004.

The party was a celebration of Millie’s life — and her influence on hundreds of people in the Valley during her time running the popular lunch counter. 

You had to check in at Millie’s before you went out on Friday or Saturday night,” said Larry Connune of Ansonia, who has been friends with Millie for 45 years. 

PHOTO: Caitlin EmmaMillie’s niece, City Hall worker Tara Kolakowski, said Millie’s used to open at 4 a.m. — and her first customer each morning would be a Derby police officer on patrol. 

Everyone was equal at the restaurant: 

It didn’t matter if you were a judge, a police officer,” Tara Kolakowski said. You had 20 minutes and then you had to get out.”

That’s how popular the restaurant was during a time when downtown Ansonia was filled with factory workers and shops. 

Millie filled a motherly role for her customers, according to Barbara Angelucci of Seymour. 

She made sure you had had a good breakfast,” Angelucci said. She watched who you dated and who you hung out with, she made sure that you did your homework.” 

She didn’t marry and doesn’t have any children, but Millie doesn’t lack family.

Millie has 27 nieces and nephews, more than 30 great-nieces and nephews and five great-great nieces, according to Kolakowski.

And a million great, great friends,” said Flo Camilleri, a friend of Millie’s.

The party was held to celebrate Millie’s legacy in the Valley. 

Millie’s family also decided to start a fund at the Valley Community Foundation that will allow them to give a scholarship to a future Ansonia graduate who embodies the spirit of Millie,” Tara Kolakowski said. 

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