Stone Way Cafe Reopens May 15

Twenty months after shutting down due to the demolition of their previous location, Stone Way Cafe will rise again on May 15. The much-beloved cafe’s new space at 3525 Stone Way N is practically across the street from their old spot, whose next incarnation will be a five-story office/retail building. Longer term residents of Wallingford will remember Stone Way Cafe’s new location at the corner of 35th and Stone as the site of Daly’s Paint & Decorating, one of the many light industrial businesses that once graced this now booming corridor.

Walking down Stone on May 2, I noticed the nascent cafe’s door was open so I poked my head in and briefly spoke to a person inside, whose knowledge indicated that he may be an owner. He informed me that the permitting process had been arduous (surprise!) and that they had “just received their final permit that day.” He said they hoped to open on May 15, which the cafe’s website now confirms.

The space looks fantastic. It is open and airy, yet cozy, with big windows on two sides. They have reconstructed the mural that adorned the north wall of the previous location. There appears to be a walk-up window and space for outdoor seating that, as of this writing, was still under construction.

The cafe’s website seems to be only partially updated to reflect the businesses current status, but for now it appears that their hours will be from 7:00am to 3:00pm seven days a week. According to the person I spoke to on May 2, the menu will be the same as before the move, and live events will grace their small stage once again.

It’s been a long wait for Stone Way Cafe to reopen, but its reintroduction onto the ever-changing eponymous road will be a welcome throwback to the days when salmon tacos and a local IPA followed a visit to the nearby hardware store, paint shop, or plumbing supply, the latter of which are mere memories.