Business & Tech

Village Perk is Now Open for Business

It's a beautiful, breezy Friday morning, and I'm sitting on the back patio at the newly opened Village Perk cafe. On today -- the coffee shop's first day -- there's nowhere better to be.

"It's going to be a cool hangout," says barista Nick Tornatore, manning the counter for the first time. "We've got a bit of a classic, '20s feel ... Plus the back patio really lets you get into nature. People really look like they're enjoying themselves."

The selection of gelato, smoothies and paninis means there's more on the menu than just coffee and baked goods. Manager Jennifer Weller is excited about the sheer variety available to patrons, especially on the panini menu.

"They've all been tested and received the seal of approval," she says.

And the soundtrack -- The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Motown -- gives it the feel of a hip, urban coffee shop with a hometown twist.

This quaint little space was once the home of Demitasse Cafe, which closed in February. I struck up a conversation with two friends, Georgeanne and Melissa, chatting and trying out the the coffee nearby.

"This feels so much more open now!" says Melissa, who used to come to Demitasse and said she missed having a local coffee shop. "It's brighter and cleaner ... I didn't even know they had the back patio before."

"I like the style," says Georgeanne. "It's clean cut. And although I haven't tried a pastry yet, they smell really yummy."

Village Perk is located at 3 Glen Road in Sandy Hook Center. For hours and more information, visit their website.


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