Irwin’s was a life saver when my wife and I first moved to Wallingford last summer. It’s not too far from our house –and anyone that’s moved knows that a good cup of coffee and something (like a delicious baked good) to get the muscles moving are important ingredients in getting settled in a new house and neighborhood.
On
top of that – I work from home – and I NEEDED internet access right away. I was the shabbily dressed guy huddled outside Irwin’s at all hours, using the free wireless access to keep busy at work!
Irwin’s has history dripping from its pores: It began as a family grocery back in 1927 (stay tuned to read more about the relationship between Irwin’s and the Durn Good Grocery!)
Irwin’s became a bakery and soon became a neighbor fixture and for 15 years served up coffee and baked goods and, well, neighborliness.
When I met with Linda Fecher to chat about Irwin’s, that neighborliness was in full force. People coming and going greeted Linda, other patrons, joked with the barista’s and cooks, and the room hummed with conversations, clinks, and the good, good smells of baked goods and coffee drinks.
One of the patron’s caught Linda and I talking and told me “write this down – Irwin’s is the hub of Wallyhood!”
Linda
took over 3 years ago, and kept the original recipes, and augmented with some of her own. She had worked at Irwin’s, and while she didn’t have previous experience RUNNING a restaurant, her work ethic and business smarts have paid off. How’s this for some economic stimulus for Wallingford:
- Opened a 2nd store – Irwin’s Cafe Hydro House!
- Sells baked good wholesale to famous restaurants around town
- Hired drivers, bakers, and more – growing from 7 employees to 22 in just three years!
- Established a catering business
On top of THAT – Irwin’s is also a community partner. You can see local art on display, with new art rotating through every month. And every third Tuesday – 20% of proceeds are donated to a charity selected by the employees.
Linda attributes the success of Irwin’s to hard work, great mentors, knowing when (and whom) to ask for help, but most of all to the terrific community support.
Is that the place on 40th?
Yes – the corner of 40th and Bagley Ave N.
I don’t think Irwin’s has been there for 15 years. It was the Roadrunner Cafe for awhile in the mid/late-90s. And I think it had at least one other post-Durn Good incarnation.
Doug – it has had several names since it became a bakery / coffee shop. But as I understand it – it was under original ownership the whole time. Thanks for writing.
I think we should start using Before Durn Good and After Durn Good as chronological points of reference. This can be abbreviated BDG and ADG. This would amuse the owner greatly.
I live in Virginia, but Irwin’s is one of my very favorite places to visit in Wallingford. Often when I speak with my daughters ( who live in Wallingford) they are having coffee and goodies at Irwin’s. I’m jealous!
Actually, when the building hosted the Roadrunner Cafe (restaurant and comic book store), it was owned by Bill Kraut (the business, not the building).
However, I can’t remember when Roadrunner Cafe closed — it might have been longer than 15 years ago. I’m so old. 🙂
We moved here in early 1995. The space was ADG at that time, occupied by the Roadrunner. Bill used to cook us a great brunch on his new radient burner cooktop while we browsed his comic book collection. Don’t know what year he left, but we sure missed the visits to his store and those wonderful, simple meals.
Irwin’s has gotten consistently better over the years with one exception: today’s lemon scones are a poor representation of the ones early-Irwin’s used to make with much more tartness in the filling and sugary crispness on the top. Lemon scone day used to be SUCH a treat for our family!
Hm. I wonder if I’m too far north to be considered “Wallingford”? I’m nearer to Tangletown, does Wallingford include Tangletown (a name I loathe) or does it stop at 45th or 50th?
@ TheDeb – Real estate agents be damned – I consider myself Wallingford – I live at 53rd and Wallingford.
Not to date myself too much but all this talk got me to thinking about Durn Good Grocery. Does anyone remember when Archie McPhee’s used to be at that location? That’s how long I’ve lived in this ‘hood!
When I moved to Seattle (and Wallingford) in 1994, Archie McPhee was on Stone Way near 40th. I’d been mail-ordering from them for years and it was a thrill to live in walking distance. I’m so glad they’re back!
Beside being a tasty neighborhood bakery and coffee shop, did you know that Irwin’s donates the salad greens for the weekly GraceFeast Meal across the street at Gift of Grace Church? Truly a community building business!
I go here way too much. However they need to keep the apple cider, no one else does it and its a main reason I keep coming back!