By: Maria Moore

If, like our reporter, you have been driving up and down Route 202 in Bakerville watching the signs of renovations going on at the old Bakerville Store, you must have been as thrilled as she was this past Thursday when driving by again, she saw the lights on and the parking lot filled.  Making a quick right-hand turn off 202, she pulled into the parking lot and stopped for a brief look into the store.  Customers lined up at the counter as Jeff Radwick, the owner, worked swiftly at the grill, and his helper took care of customers’ needs, while the smell of good food on the grill permeated the air.  A quick photo, a wave, and our reporter was off, with a promise to return soon.

Radwick's Coffee and Sandwich store in Bakerville

A couple of days later, on Saturday, December 19, our reporter and her husband, Bob, drove by the three stores that make up Bakerville’s strip mall on their way to the Grange’s Christmas Cookie Walk and both remarked on the full parking lot.  Time for a quick stop for lunch?  They both agreed and made the stop.  Again, there were customers at the counter, and even more arrived as our reporter looked the menu over.  ”Radwick’s Coffe & Sandwich” reads the bright yellow sign outside, and the menu certainly delivers on the promise:  There are Breakfast Sandwiches, 6 a.m. Subs, Cold Cut Sandwiches, Salad Style Sandwiches, Hot Sandwiches and Vegetarian Sandwiches, and more.  Looking up at the big board behind the counter, the Special of the Day caught our reporter’s eye: ‘Corned Beef Reuben.’  Now what could be more special than that on a cold winter’s day?  Two Reubens were ordered, and they settled in to wait.

As they waited, our reporter and her husband chatted with fellow customer Bob Vigue of Country Comfort and of Jillian Gardens fame.  Bob gave a brief update on the status of his gardens: the annual plants were safely indoors, the camelia and the jasmine were blooming, and the seedlings for next year had already been started.  And next year?  Bob said that he and wife Jill probably won’t be participating in the Garden Conservancy’s garden tour, giving them the leeway to try new things.  Jillian Gardens will probably host garden tours on their own and Bob promised to send us details closer to the dates.

Bob Vigue is  a long-time business owner in town and he made  a point of saying how nice the new store looked: Everything looked brand new, clean and bright.   “They’ve got a great business here!”  Bob said to our reporter, and he turned back to Jeff to convey the same message to the brand-new business owner.  Our reporter dallied a few minutes to talk with Jeff’s mother, Tory-Beth, as her husband Bob headed back to the car with their lunch.  Tory-Beth said their family is from the area, having originally lived in Litchfield, then moved to Pennsylvania, and now back in New Hartford.  Our reporter remarked that everything looked very professional when she had looked in the other day and she asked if Jeff had experience in the businesss.  Tory-Beth said that yes, Jeff is experienced, he’s owned a similar business to this one in the past.

“He’s set on doing everything the right way.”  Tori-Beth said of her son’s business methods.  ”He hasn’t advertised, he knows his business will come from word of mouth.”  Taking care of the basics really helps, our reporter agreed, and then asked about the sign on the front door that reads: “Open Christmas Day.” “Well, we’re not doing anything special on that day, so we thought we’d open!”  Tory-Beth confirmed, looking forward to spending the day with her son, and any customers who happen along.

So, the people are nice, the place is clean and bright, but how’s the food?  Our reporter went back to her car, where husband Bob was just polishing off his Reuben.  ”How is it?”  She asked.  ”Just great!”  He said, not a stranger to that American delicacy.  Encouraged, she unwrapped her sandwich and started to eat, and kept on eating, until all the sandwich was gone. “Boy, that was a good sandwich!!!”  She said, and they both agreed: Radwick’s willl definitely become a regular stop for them ~ as it will for many ~ as they go about their business in Bakerville and beyond.

Radwick’s Coffee & Sandwich store: is located in the strip mall on Route 202 in Bakerville.  The store is open Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., and Saturday 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

For more information: Please call Jeff Radwick at 860-482-7744.

Jeff Radwick works the grill at his new coffee and sandwich store in Bakerville on Thursday, December 17. Photo: Maria Moore

Best of Luck: To Jeff Radwick who’s setting out to feed the need in our community with the best food, the best people and the best environment!