New Coastal Coffee Shop Opens In Rowayton

NORWALK, CT — When Arden's owner Jill Brody and her partner, Laura Jayson, set out to open a high-quality coffee shop in the heart of Rowayton, they wanted create a concept that evoked a neighborhood living room.

With that in mind, customers who enter their new coastal cafe, which officially opened its doors this month, will notice vintage Rowayton swim meet plaques, old Long Island oyster tins and other local touches adorning the walls.

"We wanted to really capture the coastal charm of Rowayton," Brody said, "kind of an ode to the seaside village."

The pair also drew design influences from travels to Mediterranean seaside towns, specifically Greece and Portugal, resulting in a light, airy feeling that embodies the nostalgia of summer.

"From the moment you walk in," Brody said, "we wanted it to be a place where you could just take a deep breathe and kind of put your feet up and stay awhile."

For Brody, it also embodies the type of escape she was looking for after moving to Norwalk from Ohio years back. While she found Norwalk and the Rowayton area to be very welcoming, she noticed a need for a communal experience that could be found in a specialty coffee shop.

"I support and love all the local businesses here and I think they're each great at what they do," Brody said, "but I felt like I was constantly having to drive to Darien, New Canaan or Westport to just get a really solid cup of coffee or a nice salad. I started pitching the idea to different people around Rowayton, thinking somebody else would do it. Everyone thought it was an amazing idea, but nobody really jumped on it."

Having previously worked in the technology field before opening Arden's, the cafe also marks a massive career change for Brody.

"I had no experience in anything culinary, food or design-related," Brody said, "so this has been my first project, but it's been an amazing experience."

According to a press release provided by the cafe, Arden's aims to provide a high-quality and healthy culinary offering to Rowayton locals and visitors. Tucked away on Rowayton Avenue, the cafe's menu was thoughtfully developed and hand-selected utilizing local purveyors and ingredients.

"We've tried to source as much locally as possible," Brody said. "What we can source locally, we do."

Those partners include Millstone Farm in Wilton, who provides greens, eggs and other products, as well as 5 Mile River Honey in Darien and ILSE coffee in Stamford. Much of the furniture and art featured in the cafe were also acquired locally.

In an email, Norwalk Chamber of Commerce president Brian Griffin said the cafe's summery aesthetic and emphasis on local ingredients should be a hit with Rowayton customers.

"Arden's will be a fitting and welcome addition to Rowayton and Norwalk overall," Griffin said. "Between its thoughtful menu, locally sourced items and coastal design and vibe, it should be a great success."

The Arden's menu features sweet and savory cafe classics alongside elevated culinary provisions, including local coffee, toasts, sandwiches, salads, roasted vegetables, warm olives, daily pastries and handmade pies.

Brody recommends first-time customers try the BLT-A, which she describes as a simple sandwich prepared in a special way, as well as the grilled baby artichoke and the Turkish eggs with yogurt, aleppo and dill.

"Every time I get asked [for a favorite item], I pick something else because I love this menu," Brody said.

Arden's is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cafe also hosts a monthly communal dinner series called "Arden's After Hours," an intimate dining experience that includes a lively beverage hour followed by a four-course dinner with a soulful live listening experience.

As crowds continue to pour into Arden's on a consistent basis each week, Brody and Jayson find themselves reveling in every aspect of operating a high-quality communal space in the heart of the coastal village they love.

"I think the way that we felt is that we're spending every day here, so we want it to be a place that we love," Brody said, "and I definitely feel that way. It's my happy place."