Danbury Zoning Commission Approves Two Café Alcohol Permits After Lengthy Hearings

DANBURY, CT — The Danbury Zoning Commission approved two separate alcohol permit applications on Nov. 25, that examined hours of operation, food service, neighborhood impacts and the city’s downtown revitalization goals.

The virtual meeting began at 7:07 p.m. and included presentations from two different food-service businesses seeking to add alcohol sales. Both applications were unanimously approved later in the meeting and advanced to the commission’s old-business agenda for immediate action.

Blend and Brew Seeks Café Liquor Permit Downtown

The first application came from Steven and Mayerli Salazar, owners of Blend and Brew, a smoothie, coffee and light-food café at the corner of Maine and Crosby Streets. The business, which opened Aug. 1, sought a café liquor license to serve specialty cocktails such as espresso martinis, mimosas and Bloody Marys.

Associate Planner Allie Smith’s review, read into the record, found the 1,600-square-foot café met zoning requirements for seating, parking and use within the downtown district.

Commissioners questioned the owners at length about food offerings, the role of alcohol in the business model, staffing levels and closing times. Several members said they wanted assurances the establishment would remain a café rather than evolve into a late-night bar.

Salazar told commissioners the family-run business intends to focus on brunches, specialty drinks, smoothies and coffee, not nightlife. “We want to invest in downtown,” he said.

Commissioners discussed potential conditions, including limits on signage, sidewalk activity and the use of a service bar rather than walk-up counter drinking. The owners said they had no plans for sidewalk service, loud entertainment or neon beer signs.

After public comment — including support from City Council members and residents — the commission voted 7–0 to approve the permit with conditions:

• Service bar only (no standalone bar service)
• No sidewalk seating or sidewalk entertainment
• No window signage advertising liquor
• Café operation capped at 20 seats, as required by zoning

Commissioners said the application aligned with Danbury’s plan to strengthen downtown food and beverage offerings.

Deolinda’s Artisans Bakery Approved for Beer and Wine Permit

The second hearing involved Deolinda’s Artisans, a bakery and café at 5 Padanaram Road seeking a restaurant beer and wine license. Attorney Larry Pereira represented owner Rui Texeira, who also operates a granite and marble business in the city.

Texeira has expanded the café’s offerings since opening in April, Pereira said, with a fuller menu that now includes Portuguese entrees, seafood dishes, grilled meats, sandwiches, pastries and gelato. The space seats 43 patrons, split between table and counter seating.

Because the site lies in a CN-20 neighborhood commercial zone, beer and wine sales are allowed under special permit, but hard liquor is not. Smith’s review confirmed that parking requirements and layout needs were met and that the application qualified for a site-plan waiver.

Commissioners asked about kitchen capacity, the transition from bakery café to evening dining, and whether the establishment could operate as a full restaurant. Pereira emphasized the business is already preparing food on-site and would remain family-friendly with typical hours of 6:30 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m., slightly later in summer.

Public comment included support from residents praising the food, atmosphere and the owner’s track record of investment in Danbury.

The commission approved the beer-and-wine permit unanimously, with a condition that alcohol be served via service bar only.