Longtime Ridgefield residents Michelle and Joern Tittel are preparing to open the Corner Cafe at 622 Main Street, taking over the space formerly occupied by Tony’s Corner Deli. The target opening date is the third week of April.
Joern, a seasoned wine and food entrepreneur who also owns the legacy bakery "Topps" in Bronxville and a wine establishment in Scarsdale, describes their vision as the blend of a modern café with clean, inviting aesthetics and the charm of a country store.
“It’s a European-influenced cafe with European-inspired menu options," explains Joern, who is of Czech, Polish, and German descent. "My wife is half-French." Michelle has a background in fashion and her past stops include Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and American Essentials. She also has experience in the food industry as Joern’s Topps Bakery co-owner and former manager of New Canaan’s popular Garelick & Herbs.
Corner Cafe is a family business at its core. In addition to Joern and Michelle at the helm, their youngest daughter Chloe, a sophomore at Ridgefield High School, will work at the Cafe after school. Tittel's oldest daughter, an RHS grad, is now a junior at Skidmore.
The vibe
Farrow & Ball's historic French gray paint will compliment the original wood floor of the 1880s historic building and Joern says the tin ceiling “will stay”. The Cafe will have couches and coffee tables. “We are building a platform using high-grade plank flooring in an off-white color that matches the trend.” Hanging brushed nickel pendants and other accouterments will be modern European French. Corner Cafe guests may also choose to enjoy a meal Al fresco. “We will have attractive planters and about 12 outdoor seats,” says Joren.
The Cafe has retained Pelham-based Ammirati as the coffee purveyor. “They are not servicing a business in Ridgefield with their coffee so it sets us apart,” says. In addition to breakfast offerings and a limited selection of fresh baked goods from Topps Bakery, lunch options will include an array of protein-driven fresh salads. “We will offer higher-end goods but with a keen eye towards value, " says Joern. The Cafe plans to partner with Soulber in Bethel for grab-and-go dinners and is in the midst of choosing a head chef. And… you can purchase more than food. “We will carry a select limited range of home accessories and kitchen-related items but very curated,” says Joren.
Parking - more (and better) than you may think!
Guests can park behind the small brick building next to the Cafe where there are several parking spots. In addition, Joern says, “Four spots are facing Cafe on the Rt 35 side and six spots side by 116. With 16 seats inside and 12 outside and 15 plus parking spots.
With the Cafe just two miles from their home, Joern couldn’t be more excited to add to the culinary scene in the town his family loves. "We want to use our talents and vision to add something in the food “cafe” lane that I think is still missing in Ridgefield.