Barbara Crowley, owner of The Chocolate Shell on Lyme Street, has announced the re-opening of her Café on the premises. The cases of cakes and pastries, which have been empty for a couple of weeks, are full once more, as shown in the photo at left.
The Café was closed under a Cease and Desist order issued by Old Lyme’s Zoning Enforcement Officer, Ann Brown, who contends that the Café is operating as a full-service take out restaurant and a full-service restaurant. The Cease and Desist Order required Crowley to remove all tables and chairs from the front lawn and back patio, to stop selling coffee and to remove the “Café Open” flag.
Crowley has now filed an appeal with the Zoning Board of Appeals. Pending the hearing of that appeal, Crowley has been advised that she can operate her Café under the regulations prior to the issue of the Cease and Desist.
Great news! We certainly hope the ZBA rules in your favor, Barbara, and that the cafe continues to add its wonderful flavor to Lyme Street. Let’s all think warm thoughts of the coming spring and hope that we can be on your back patio or at front lawn tables sipping good coffee and munching decadent pastries while we enjoy it. Good luck, Chocolate Shell! Thank you for your innovation and hard work, Barbara and family, and please keep your many fans all posted if we can be of help.
I love this place! So glad it is reopening and that I can get a cup of tea there as well.