Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story! HamletHub launched this initiative in Ridgefield in early 2018 and due to its overwhelming success, we brought it to neighboring communities - all in the name of keeping it LOCAL.
You're IT Mothership Bakery and Cafe!
Three questions with Andrea White, owner of Mothership Bakery and Cafe.
Why did you start your business?
Mothership was birthed out of a desire to make good food and coffee and serve it up with love! Our original location on Ridgebury Road gave us the chance to learn and grow as a small business, but when the opportunity to expand and open a café on Main Street was presented, we were excited to be part of the revitalization of downtown Danbury. We are so happy to see more businesses follow!
How many people do you employ? Any youth or seniors from the community?
We wanted to create a business that could grow with and help support not only our families but the families of our employees. We now have 20 employees, including high school students, college students, moms, dads, and even a retiree who returned to the workforce because he wanted to be part of our team! We have participated with the CT Department of Rehabilitation Services to hire individuals who might otherwise have difficulty finding steady work and are looking forward to having several high school interns this summer who are interested in a future in food service.
Encourage more businesses to take a chance on downtown Danbury! Since we have been on Main Street, we have gotten to experience the great history and people that call Danbury home. And yet, we can envision a great future, Danbury, too! We are situated geographically in a prime location for access to lower Fairfield County and NYC, but also have the advantage of being the gateway to the beautiful Litchfield Hills. Downtown Danbury has great sidewalks, parks, parking garages, and enough business to bring some bustle to the area. But if I could wave my magic wand….I would see the still empty storefronts filled with new businesses and downtown be a real destination for dining and shopping again!
I am tagging Wags Doggy Daycare, as we are a dog-friendly café and my own grandpup Beaux loves to go play while I am attending to business!
Mothership is located at 331 Main Street in Danbury. Visit them online here.