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Cafe Ruche is the brainchild of Barbara Chopin, who decided to combine her love of yoga with a restaurant that would offer healthy food and help build a community.
The Weston resident began to practice yoga a few years ago and said it inspired her to make a change in her life.
“It was real transformative for me and I started to do research about women and exercise. Women place a high value on the social experience when they exercise,” she said.
“I thought, wouldn't it be great to be able to come and do some yoga and then have a smoothie or lunch or whatever and that sort of builds a community. You see the same faces in the classes and you see the same faces in the café.”
Chopin has a long background in marketing and product management, but this is her first foray into a restaurant.
“I have spent a lot of time in Europe, and in Europe the café is really the heart of the community, and so I liked that idea," she said. "There were definitely moments when I thought ‘What am I doing?’ because I have never had a brick and mortar business before."
The cafe is located at 101 Old Ridgefield Road close to the Subway restaurant.
The cafe features salads, sandwiches, soups, sweet and savory crêpes pastries and this month, Café Ruche expanded their offerings to include a dinner menu, which includes fondue, pates, filet de boeuf and roasted salmon – to name just a few entrees. Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The cafe also offers a full service bar, she said.
Among the classes offered by Studio Ruche is the popular, free Community Yoga Class on Saturdays at 11 a.m. Chopin has six yoga instructors.
The business adds another element to the Wilton dining scene, said the Chamber of Commerce's executive director Janeen Leppert.
“We are thrilled to officially welcome Café Ruche to our vibrant dining scene. Whether you are enjoying a sweet or savory crepe, a signature cocktail, or a hot cup of espresso, Café Ruche brings a quaint, European charm we are fortunate to have right here in WIlton.”
It opened on Dec. 29 and celebrated its official opening last week.
Café Ruche is open Sundays through Thursdays from 8 a.m.to 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information on Café Ruche, visit www.caferuche.com.
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