The last 4 years have been rewarding for Cindy and Danielle Hartog.
And challenging.
The mother and daughter run NewBrook Kitchen & Artisan Market on Saugatuck Avenue, next to Dunville’s. Their “paleo café” — offering tasty full course meals, salads, soups, cookies, nut milk coffee and vegan ice cream — has been a passion project.
But COVID hit hard. They tried to reinvent their business. Unfortunately, they say, it wasn’t enough.
NewBrook hopes to close on June 7. Yet challenges remain.
They must sell most of their furniture and inventory. That includes a French antique tasting room table, Restoration Hardware high tops and West Elm smaller tables, along with truffle mayo, organic dark baking chocolate and much more. Pricing is over half off.
Among the items for sale: a Parc Monceau French antique parquet table.:
The bigger challenge is finding someone to take over the last year of the lease, and buy the kitchen equipment.
The entire setup is for sale: 2 ovens, refrigerators and freezers, plus everything else necessary to cook professionally.
The Hartogs are willing to negotiate. The remaining 1-year lease is extremely affordable — under $2,500 a month — with the option to renew for another 5 years. That’s rare for Westport.
Their landlord is “incredible,” they say. He’s helping any way he can.
The full store of gluten-free gourmet groceries is dramatically on sale. The Hartogs hope to hear too from restaurants or bakeries that need bulk ingredients, like chocolate.
To learn more, text or call Cindy Hartog (203-858-6993), or email NewBrookKitchen@gmail.com.
