Station Place Café, based in the historic former Norfolk station of the Central New England Railway,will close its doors at the end of September, says owner Stefanie Gouey. She cites Covid-19, rising food costs and decreasing walk-in business as factors in her decision to close the well-reviewed eatery.

Gouey first started serving fresh breakfast and lunch in downtown Norfolk a dozen years ago. A part-time resident since 1987, she was looking for a way to stay year-round. “I was living in the Frog [condominiums] and looked out the window and saw that this place was empty,” she recalls. “I just called the landlord and decided to give it a try.”

An avid home cook, Gouey learned the business as she went along, determined to source only the freshest ingredients. “I do my own shopping and like to use whatever I find local and in season,” she says.

She soon learned that business ownership in a very small town comes with inherent challenges. When “lunches started getting a little weak,” she began offering takeaway dinners that diners could preorder via a weekly email.

When the pandemic forced her to close the physical café space to diners for over a year, Gouey relied on takeaway orders and built up the catering side of her business. She didn’t apply for government Covid-related relief for the business, feeling that “it just didn’t seem fair in a way . . . my needs weren’t that great,” and was grateful that her landlord, Colleen Hellerman, “was very accommodating and just great” throughout those uncertain months.

Station Place Café reopened in spring 2022, but Gouey says she knew by early summer that things were not sustainable. “Just stocking a restaurant is expensive, whether people come or not,” she says. “And since I do the shopping myself, I’m in the car all the time.” The decision was made to close at the end of September.

Gouey is philosophical about the change. “I’ve enjoyed being here, and I love my customers,” she says. “I will miss it.”

However, Station Place Café will live on in another form. “What I plan on doing now is to work from a licensed commercial kitchen and offer more takeaway dinners,” Gouey explains. 

Twice a week, she will send out an email notice with menu options, including full dinners, soups and other seasonal dishes.“People can request their favorites,” she prompts. Catering will also still be available for small weddings, cocktails, dinners and holiday parties, and she has “staff people that I’ve been working with for years” behind her.

Gouey’s outlook for the future is hopeful: “If I can make a go of it, it would be easier on me, and I can continue doing what I love.”

To be added to the email list for takeaway menus or to request information on catering options, email Gouey at stationplacecafe@gmail.com.