Your Business: Newtown Café, 3 Glen Road, Sandy Hook Village (the former Village Perk, adjacent to the Foundry Kitchen)

Owners/Manager: Shen Yousaf

How long have you been in business? “Since early March of this year.”

What does your business offer? “A wide variety of beverages including fresh squeezed juices, baked goods, gelato, salads, pasta, wings, and sandwiches to take out or enjoy inside — or on our spacious deck overlooking the Pootatuck River. My homemade chicken salad and paninis are already getting famous, along with a chocolate-filled flake pastry I make myself called doole. I also make all my own muffins and have fresh brewed coffee, teas, soft drinks, and my special iced coffee sweetened with ice cream.”

What would you most like Bee readers to know about your business? Yousaf grew up around the food service business as his family owns several IHOP franchises in Missouri and Connecticut. But instead of opening a franchise, he decided to strike out with his own, first working for the US Postal Service and then searching for a location to open his own business. “I wanted my own shot at success — I didn’t want to work for anybody else and I’m a morning person, so a coffee shop was the perfect opportunity.” He found the site with the help of his brother, Mosin, took one look at the park and river flowing just off the rear deck, and said, “I got to have this place.”

How do you like Newtown so far? “This town surprised me after living for two years in Hamden. People here in Sandy Hook are amazing — they are so friendly and welcoming. I’ve already had a few customers bring me gifts, a few display items and signs for the walls.”

Website: newtown-cafe.com

Social: facebook.com/thenewtowncafe

Phone: 203-491-2270

Hours of operation: Sunday and Monday, 8 am to 5 pm; Tuesday through Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm, expanding to 9 pm by summer