Bridgeport Native Opens Kickstart Cafe

Bridgeport native Stephanie Champagne opened a new café. It was referred to me by an acquaintance so I visited...

Walking into Kickstart Café on Howe Avenue in Shelton, Connecticut for the first time, you automatically feel at ease as there is a friendly ambiance in the cafe. It feels like you are in Mayberry with people chatting at the counter. A warm smile greets you by the cashier ready to help you navigate their extensive menu of coffees, smoothies, breakfast, lunch, desserts and more. Arriving at lunchtime, I was told the most popular lunch sandwiches were "Butchy Boi" and "Super Freak" so that is what I ordered.

Butchy Boi is Buffalo chicken, pepper jack, bacon, Sriracha aioli, shredded lettuce with a blue cheese drizzle. Super Freak is turkey, spinach, mozzarella, tomato, pesto chipotle and secret sauce. You can have the sandwiches toasted or not, full or half grinders, brioche, wheat wraps, bagels, rolls, multigrain bread or gluten-free bread. The grinder roll was suggested and it was the right choice, it was so delicious all on its own.
The owner, Stephanie Champagne of Stratford, was busy in the kitchen personally preparing meals. When she came out with an order, she greeted me with an ear-to-ear smile. She busy cooking so a photo would have to wait until all the customers' meals were prepared. Soon after, her fiancé, Matthew Bartol arrived with my lunch.

The longtime couple were classmates at Notre Dame Catholic High School in Fairfield and have been together ever since. Stephanie is pursuing her dream of working in a coffee shop and Matthew was willing to hold off on their wedding plans to help make her a successful small business owner. It's truly a family affair as Matthew's mom, Linda Thompson, is the official baker of Kickstart Café and shares her delicious coffee cakes, cookies and other desserts with customers.
The Washington Post reported that "more than 70,000 restaurants closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic," yet that did not dissuade Champagne from forging ahead in a shuttered Subway storefront. Opened in Fall 2022 to brisk business keeps the couple excited. Plans for 2023 are to get a larger espresso and cappuccino machine to keep up with the demand, according to Champagne.

Kickstart Café is located at 462 Howe Avenue at the corner of Canal Street in Downtown Shelton. It is open for breakfast and lunch 7 days a week with special hours on holidays. Phone Orders can be placed at (203) 513-2106. If you want to feel good and eat delicious food, try #KickstartCafe

You can follow @kickstartcafeshelton on Instagram, Facebook and on the web at https://kickstartcafe.co/