Abilis Opens New Café At Stamford Superior Courthouse

STAMFORD, CT — Abilis, the nonprofit organization that provides services and support to more than 800 people with disabilities and their families in Fairfield County, has opened a new café at the Stamford Courthouse, located at 123 Hoyt St.

The nonprofit organization was selected in a Request for Proposal (RFP) by the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District to run and staff the eatery.

Lindy Urso, an attorney and former Abilis board member who is on Abilis’ Human Resources Committee, saw the courthouse café had been closed since the pandemic. He heard of the RFP and brought the opportunity to Abilis.

Abilis runs six other cafés in Fairfield County in partnership with Greenwich Library, Darien Library, Darien YMCA, Darien Depot, the town of Greenwich and its Island Beach concession, and its own headquarters café in Greenwich.

"We are thrilled to have won the RFP for the new Abilis Courthouse Café," said Abilis CEO and President Amy Montimurro in a news release. CEO and president of Abilis. "To be selected by the Stamford Superior Courthouse, which is a very high-traffic venue, is really validating that our competitive employment program for adults with disabilities is a great model that more organizations are excited to embrace."

Montimurro said the Abilis Courthouse Café employs Abilis community members, along with job coaches and a manager.

"Employment rates for those with disabilities has often been low, with 80 percent unemployment, but we are helping change that statistic," Montimurro added. "We have had such a positive response to our Cafés with the Greenwich and Darien Libraries, the Darien Y, the Darien Depot and the Town of Greenwich, and we are excited to be expanding our Café concept to Stamford."

The café features a variety of delicious and popular hot and cold food options as well as snacks and beverages and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The food at the café comes from partnerships with some of the area’s favorite restaurants and caterers, including Arcuri’s Pizza and Salad, Friends & Company Kitchen (gluten and dairy-free baked goods), Garden Catering, Happiness Is Back Country Market and Neri’s Bakery. The café also serves local, organic coffee from Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters.

Specifically, the menu includes hot and cold brewed coffee; cappuccinos; lattes; tea; hot chocolate; cold drinks; breakfast pastries and wraps; oatmeal; bagels; chicken nuggets and cones; mac bites; fruit and green salads; sandwiches; wraps and paninis; pizza slices; soups; yogurt; cookies; nuts; chips; and more.

The Abilis Courthouse Café also features seasonal specials and gift items from Abilis’ retail training site, shop and greenhouse, Abilis Gardens & Gifts, where café patrons can also purchase gift items and flower arrangements on-site.