Spotlight on Town Business

By Colleen Gundlach

To build a successful business in Norfolk, it takes a special kind of strong and business-savvy person. That person needs to be able to know instinctively what the 1,500 or so locals need year-round and what the expanded summer population wants during their few months here. In Norfolk, one of these special entrepreneurs can be found right in the village center.

Stefanie Gouey opened Station Place Café seven years ago because, after spending weekends in Norfolk for many years, she decided she wanted to move here full-time. Seeing the need for a place where people could enjoy delicious food, good company and Norfolk in general, she put together a menu and opened the café in the former railroad station at 10 Station Place.

One of her main goals for the new business was to serve locally sourced foods, cooked fresh to order by Gouey herself. All ingredients are from local farmers or specialty food purveyors such as Guido’s, the tempting sweets on display under glass domes are from an artisanal bakery in Housatonic, Mass., and the coffee is direct from Barrington Coffee. “I’m very particular about what I serve,” says Gouey. “ I don’t like to buy ‘off the truck.’”

No one ever said that owning an eatery in Norfolk is easy, but with a combination of a great location, delicious and fresh food offerings, a cozy and welcoming room and rousing conversation, Gouey has made Station Place Café not only a local success but a destination for travelers as well. One on-line review of the café says, “This is one of those places that you look for when you are traveling . . . very creative menu, well executed, served by a very knowledgeable and caring staff. It’s a low-key breakfast/lunch place with a cozy feel that if in the area for any length of time you’ll want to come back to several times to try all the great sounding things on the menu.”

While the tourists and travelers are a huge plus for the business in the summertime, the café is actually quintessential Norfolk—a place where townspeople can gather for a monthly bridge game, complete with dinner, or stop in for a leisurely lunch of homemade soup and a creative and healthy sandwich or salad while chatting with their neighbors.

Those customers who don’t want to cook on Friday evenings after a long week can take advantage of Station Place Café’s Friday night specials, which are available only by email. Every Monday, participants receive an email from Gouey, outlining that week’s special, such as Russian salmon in a puff pastry or a lasagna. Offerings change each week, and customers who want to have Friday evening dinner made for them simply email Gouey with their choices by Wednesday and their meals will be ready for pickup between 5 and 6 p.m. on Friday. “This is very popular,” says Gouey. “I try to serve special comfort foods that people love but don’t necessarily want to make themselves.”

Station Place Café will be undergoing some renovations during the month of March, including new floors and fresh paint, but will remain open throughout, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends (hours will change in the summer). Gouey also offers catering of her fresh foods—vegan included—for gatherings small and large. To reserve a catering date or to sign up for the Friday night specials, contact Stefanie Gouey at stationplacecafe@gmail.com.

Photo by Bruce Frisch.