Kristin Marie's Café moves into Geer

NORTH CANAAN — If the good wishes of Geer Village workers and residents could do it alone, the just-opened Kristin Marie’s Café and Grill (off the lobby of the retirement community on Route 7) would be an automatic success.

But owner David Russo knows it will take all his know-how plus long days and lots of hard work.

The café (which is named after his girlfriend) opened two weeks ago in a space that was last Geraghty’s Café. That restaurant started out strong but closed recently.

Perhaps it’s a good sign that Russo is nervous. With 21 years of experience cooking at and managing restaurants (he started in his cousins’ business at the age of 14), he understands it is going to take more than just hard work. He needs to be responsive to  his customers as well.

That’s one of the lessons he learned during almost 10 years working as a chef/manager at A.J.’s Steakhouse in Goshen and about three years at Fredo’s Pizza in Torrington. Keeping customers happy is a tricky thing.

Russo has some interesting plans, but said he will decide on which way to go once he knows his customers.

He likes his tiny kitchen, a cozy space that will allow him to prep and cook alone but still stay out behind the counter, where he can connect with diners.

If experience has taught him anything, it is to keep the food simple and fresh. Sauces and soups are homemade. Diners will find an ambitious menu for breakfast and lunch seven days a week and dinner Thursday through Saturday, at least for now. Catering is also available.

Those who live and work at Geer Village, or visit there on a regular basis, are looking forward to patronizing the restaurant. More of a challenge will be getting the general public to come in and eat.

The retirement community was built to include a YMCA, a television studio and large room for gatherings and catered events to bring community life to Geer’s less-mobile population.

“I love being here, in a beautiful building with lots of great people, but it’s not the best location to draw from traffic going by. Even with a sign out on the main road, people don’t think of it as a public restaurant,� Russo said.

That said, he knows word-of-mouth is the best advertising in small towns.

“I’ll be here all the time, and there will always be everything. They can get hot coffee and soups ‘to go,’ or they can sit down for a nice meal,� Russo said. “I know that if I can get people in the door, I can keep them coming back.�

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