Lion’s Den Café off to a roaring start at Eastern Branch Library in Shrewsbury

Monmouth County Library commissioners and ballet dancers mingled at the Eastern Branch Library in Shrewsbury for the grand opening of the Lion's Den Cafe on Dec. 11.

Café manager Debbie Disakias served patrons slices of her creation, a cake shaped like a giant red and white Nutcracker soldier. After the ribbon–cutting ceremony, more than 130 patrons enjoyed a free performance of The Nutcracker ballet, performed in the Children's Room by the Performing Arts Ensemble of Red Bank.

Library Commission Chair Renee B. Swartz formally welcomed patrons to the café, which she said meshes well with the commission's vision of the library as a community center. "We are delighted to add this new dimension to our library service," she said.

On hand to help with the ribbon-cutting were Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, R-Monmouth, and the Mayor-elect of Shrewsbury, Donald Burden.

"The timing of this couldn't be better," said Handlin of the café opening. "When there seems to be so many things in the world today that are pulling people apart, libraries are perfect examples of something that can bring people together, and build a sense of community."

Burden said one of the goals he has as the new mayor of Shrewsbury will be to encourage residents to make use of all the Eastern Branch Library has to offer: for programs, books, and of course, as a place to "enjoy a wonderful cup of coffee."

Handlin, Swartz and Burden joined Library Commission members Christine Saavedra, George Callas and Michael Sockol in cutting the red ribbon to formally open the café.

Saavedra said she hopes that the café will help the library become a center for culinary programming. "Food and cooking is something that brings everyone together," Saavedra said. "There so much we can do to expand our programs on this topic."  

Disakias, who has run her own catering business for the past six years, is also a certified nutritionist. The first nutrition program has been set for Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. at Eastern Branch. The topic will be "Eat This, Not That: Nutrition 101."

The café will serve coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cold drinks, snacks and wraps. Hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. The café will be closed on Fridays.