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Martha Stewart Draws Big Crowd For Norwalk Book Signing

NORWALK, Conn. -- Martha Stewart returned to her old stomping grounds in the Norwalk area as the home living entrepreneur signed copies of her 83rd cookbook under the fan-filled red-and-white Hoedown tent in front of Stew Leonard’s.

Stew Leonard, Jr., introduces Martha Stewart to a crowd of waiting customers on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Stew Leonard, Jr., introduces Martha Stewart to a crowd of waiting customers on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Martha Stewart signs a copy of her 83rd cook book at Stew Leonard's on Westport Avenue in Norwalk.

Martha Stewart signs a copy of her 83rd cook book at Stew Leonard's on Westport Avenue in Norwalk.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Martha Stewart arrives in the Hoedown tent to sign copies of her newest cookbook -- her 83rd.

Martha Stewart arrives in the Hoedown tent to sign copies of her newest cookbook -- her 83rd.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Sally Mcclenathan (left) and Viv Stewart pose for a picture after getting their copies of "One Pot" signed by the author.

Sally Mcclenathan (left) and Viv Stewart pose for a picture after getting their copies of "One Pot" signed by the author.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Fans waited for hours to be the first in line, before the tent was filled and Martha Stewart made her appearance.

Fans waited for hours to be the first in line, before the tent was filled and Martha Stewart made her appearance.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio

“I’ve been shopping at Stew Leonard’s since when they still had vending machines for their milk,” Stewart, a former longtime Westport resident, said to the crowd of fans on Saturday, Oct. 25. “I think that was back in the '70s.”

Stewart’s newest book, “One Pot,” features more than 120 “easy meals from your skillet, slow cooker, stockpot, and more,” and had customers waiting in line for about two and a half hours just to get their copy signed.

Corey Mercer and Kurt Fladten got to Stew Leonard’s at 10 a.m. and were the first in line.

“She was the original lifestyle expert,” Mercer said as he waited in front of the long line for the appearance of Stewart, who now lives in Katonah, N.Y.

By 11:30 a.m., the parking lot at the 100 Westport Ave. supermarket had reached near capacity and the tent had begun to overflow with customers. Some came to see what the commotion was about, others to grab a last minute copy of the book and hop in line.

Meghan Bell, director of public relations for Stew Leonard’s, said this wasn’t the first time Stewart had come to Norwalk to do a book signing. Stew Leonard’s has also played host to cooking giants Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay, she said.

“We’re a foodie place, so we love to bring in big name chefs for our customers,” Bell said.

Viv Stewart attended the event with her friend and co-worker Sally Mcclenathan, and the two were nothing but smiles after briefly chatting with Martha Stewart.

“Although my last name is Stewart, (Martha) got all the cooking jeans,” Viv Stewart joked. “Hopefully this cookbook will help me perfect my meatloaf.”

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