Transformational Bridgeport Icon Selma Miriam, Co-Founder Of Landmark Bloodroot Restaurant, Dies At 89

Selma founded Bloodroot with Noel Furie in 1977, two culinary ambassadors that made the destination a landmark at the end of Ferris Street along the harbor. They touched the pleasure centers of thousands with their groundbreaking concept enriching both brain and belly. Her impact was such that all you had to say was Selma and people knew.

Bloodroot.

In 2021, Selma and Noel sat down for an interview with OIB friend Bob Fredericks.

Q. What is your first memory of Bridgeport?

Selma: I grew up in Bpt. My first memory is sitting on the steps at 205 Marion St and crying when I was 4 years old! I don’t know why, but the picture is on the wall at Bloodroot. My father started Davidson’s fabrics when I was 1 year old. I graduated Bassick High School.

Noel: I am tied to Bridgeport in many ways. In 1980, I bought a Victorian house on the West Side for myself, my two children and a couple of friends. I love the house and the neighborhood and that my children grew up here with friends of many ethnic and economic backgrounds. I live across the street from an elementary school, at which, in the late 90s, I helped organize and build a flower garden with the students there. Together with some of my neighbors, we founded Maplewood Action Committee and hosted clean-ups, a vegetarian block party, etc. It was a great way to get to know my neighbors! Our committee supported the renovation of the old Maplewood school into low- and middle-income housing when there was some objection to that. It was a successful solution to housing needs in the area.

Q. What do you like best about Bridgeport?

Selma: What I like best about Bridgeport is the wonderfully diverse population here.

Noel: What I love about this city is the diversity we find here, the small grocery stores where we can buy ingredients for our restaurant’s ethnic dishes, my neighbors from many parts of the world. I am also very pleased that Color Blends, a Dutch bulb company has a show garden in my neighborhood on Clinton Avenue. It is beautiful and not to be missed!

Q. Where is your favorite spot in the city to visit and why?

Selma: I often tell visitors about a couple of unknown or hidden gems: Color Blends beautiful Spring garden on Clinton avenue, free to visit the paths often. A beautiful treasure! Also Seaside Village, a tiny replica of an English Cotswald community from another century.

Noel: Bridgeport is the home of Mercy Learning Center, an amazing organization which helps immigrant and local women find jobs, learn English if necessary, apply for citizenship, etc. In a word: how to succeed in a culture so often very different from their own. Many of the women who have worked at or are still working at Bloodroot have come from MLC. We have been very fortunate to have the connection with the Center so that this has happened. We have learned from these women and they from us.

Q. What is your favorite restaurant in Bridgeport and what do you like there? Ha, not a trick question.

Selma: My favorite restaurant (besides my own Bloodroot) is Pho Saigan. Authentic, and vegetarian enough for me.

Noel: Of course, Bloodroot is my favorite eatery! Favorite foods? Depends on the season.