New Downtown Cafe Revives Worcester of the ‘80s

Monday, January 21, 2013

Jeffrey Starr, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Paris of the Eighties Café, a unique new coffee shop owned and operated by the same management that oversees the Palladium, will have its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, January 22.

The café is located right next to the Palladium on Main Street and will serve locally-sourced coffee, tea and assorted hot beverages and other high-end drinks, as well as several breakfast and lunch selections. The local feel, however, will go beyond just the food and drink items served.

"The café is all about Worcester and Worcester history. The decor is a mix of modern and Victorian. Trying to keep it local and about Worcester as much as possible is what we're about," says Chris Besaw, co-owner of the café along with Gina Migliozzi.

The history theme and name was developed with the help of Erika Dunn, the current GM of the café. Paris of the Eighties combines a Victorian design with a quintessential Worcester style.

The name itself suggests this, explains Besaw. "’Paris of the Eighties’ was an official city slogan in the 1980's. The term didn't last long as a city slogan, but the Worcester arts scene has kept it alive; there's even a popular t-shirt with the slogan on it."

While many local business owners are desperately trying to bring big city style to Worcester, the Paris of the Eighties Café is content to show that Worcester has rich history, classic charm—and, of course, great coffee—that is unique to the city itself.

"It's been a long term goal of Gina and I to open a cafe in this space. A lot of businesses have come and go in that space but no one has ever tried a cafe catering to the business and clientele of the area," says Besaw. The local business owners have long been passionate about their local community and this coffee shop is truly the embodiment of that passion.

“Our mission is to serve delicious, locally-sourced drinks with a side of Worcester love,” says management. “We want this café to be an experience. You won’t just get a great cup of coffee; you’ll get a history lesson about the community you are a part of.”

Menu items include: gourmet coffees, with beans roasted and supplied by Red Barn based in Upton; pastries supplied by Worcester's own Wholly Cannolli; and cupcakes from the The Queen Cups in Millbury. Even their signature sandwiches come with a Worcester twist. These include the Banccroft Brunch Panini, Hamilton and Cheese, Belmont, Lincoln and Tomato, Turtle Boy Tuna and the Major Taylor Turkey to name a few.

Also try the positively succulent sounding Nipmuc Nutella and Banana Sandwich. During larger Palladium shows, the café will offer customers a late-night menu that includes a made-to-order, gourmet grilled cheese menu.

"Our menu is still growing; we're listening to our customers and taking suggestions to further expand the menu. We want to make sure we are giving our customers what they want," says Besaw.

The café will be open 7 am- 3pm Monday through Friday, and when the Palladium is open for all major events. There are some plans to hold smaller events in the cafe as well.

Opening week promotions and festivities in addition to the ribbon cutting ceremony include a coffee and pastry tasting, and various special coffee, soup, and sandwich deals.

For more information, visit the Paris of the Eighties Café Facebook page.