Imagine the scent of espresso and fresh baked goods lingering in the air, while locals fill up the tables in a cafe that gives you the same feeling as being wrapped up in a warm blanket. For owner Aaron Stark and manager Melissa Lefebvre, Café Wren isn’t just a business—it’s a dream become reality.
Café Wren, a local business in Milford, began when Stark created the color palette, theme and the overall vibe. Coming up with the name was easy for Stark as he named it after his niece Wren. When it came to deciding on who would manage by his side on Café Wren, Lefebvre was the perfect choice.
“We realized that we’re really on the same page as to what we wanted for the space, in terms of having somewhere for people in the community to come and hang out,” Lefebvre said.
Café Wren isn’t just about coffee; Stark chose Milford for its outdoor activities, natural beauty and the central location between New Jersey and New York. Their appreciation for the outdoors is shown throughout Café Wren.
“I feel like Milford has a lot of that to offer between the river, trails and just the natural beauty of the place,” Lefebvre said.
Although coffee shops are frequently associated with picking up your drink and leaving, that is exactly the opposite of Café Wren’s meaning. Stark’s café has a very relaxed atmosphere where customers can get food and drinks, sit down and stay for as long as they want. This isn’t the only thing that makes them unique, as all of their food, drinks and syrups are made completely from scratch as well as many other ingredients are from local suppliers.
“You don’t have to be in and out here,” Lefebvre said. “You definitely want people to relax and take their time.”
Not only does the environment make Café Wren special, but so does their community involvement. Throughout the year, Café Wren hosts various events including art meetups, book clubs and many other meetings for local organizations. Most importantly, they have small, local artists and musicians come and perform. Every third Thursday of the month, Café Wren holds an open mic night for anyone to come out and share their talent with the community.
“First and foremost, it’s a meeting place for people,” Lefebvre said. “Most importantly, it’s a community space.”
Café Wren’s environment is an extraordinary place to spend your time and meet with the community.
Lefebvre shared wise words of advice to those who one day would like to start a business: “Work towards it in a way where you can gain the practical experience of working in that type of industry before you jump into being a business owner.”
