Bees Knees Café Closing In Milford After 3 Years

MILFORD, CT — The popular Bee's Knees Café is closing its Walnut Beach area location effective Dec. 31.

"Our landlord decided not to renew our lease option and we were not given ample time or consideration to find a suitable space to move to in this area," owner Nancy Burke said in an Instagram message.

The café opened in November 2019 and has since become a popular spot for coffee, breakfast and lunch in the Walnut Beach area. It is located in the same building as Walnut Beach Creamery.

Burke is looking for another location in town, ideally in the Walnut Beach area, she told Patch. In the meantime, people can support the café and its employees by purchasing the Bees Knees Cookbook, which is available for preorder. Those interested can preorder at the shop, or contact Burke via Instagram or email at cateringservices@hotmail.com. The cookbook will contain Bees Knees recipes and others from Burke's career in the food service industry.

Susan Patrick, who owns the Walnut Beach Creamery building, said she told Burke she had planned to expand the creamery and that she wouldn't renew her lease when it expired in October.

"I’ve tried my best to give her leads on other locations, and I would certainly like her to stay in the Walnut Beach area," Patrick told Patch. "I think she runs a great store, but it’s just a decision that I’ve been hoping to do for a while."

Patrick previously planned to expand the creamery, but the COVID-19 pandemic put plans on hold until now.