Congratulations to Atticus Bookstore Cafe in New Haven, Conn., which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The New Haven Independent reported that founder Charles Negaro Sr. (who retired in 2019) and current owner Charles Negaro Jr. joined city and Yale University Properties officials to celebrate the coffee-and-bookshop that "was an early harbinger of new downtown urbanism."
Atticus began as a bookstore, but in 1981 Negaro Sr. decided to add a cafe, which "was so fortunate to have incredible people who came and made it," he recalled. "My original idea for the cafe--I thought we'd have cannolis."
Negaro Jr. succeeded his father in 2019. Alexandra Daum, Yale's associate v-p for New Haven Affairs and University Properties, described Negaro Jr. as "one of the most talented restaurateurs" and someone New Haven is lucky to have.
"I promised not to make fun of my dad too much," Negaro Jr. said. "What my dad gave me was he gave a college dropout a job. And then he didn't fire me. He should have probably a dozen times.... Hopefully I get to do this for 50 more years. Thank you to New Haven and to Yale for being a great place to do business."
Mayor Justin Elicker presented Atticus with a city proclamation, highlighting Negaro Sr.'s role in founding New Haven Farms and Negaro Jr.'s founding of the CT Food Launch Pad, the Independent noted. The family also founded wholesale Chabaso Bakery in Fair Haven. "It's not just about business," he said. "It's about New Haven; it's about taking care of the community."