Hathaway’s closes for business in Millerton

MILLERTON — Local residents walking down South Center Street to grab a fresh cup of coffee at Hathaway’s were in for a surprise when they saw the sign on the door announcing the café is permanently closed for business in Millerton.

Bidding farewell to countless local and visiting customers who have stopped by his café over the last few years, Pete Hathaway posted a notice on the café door and on the Hathaway’s website.

“We would like to thank all of our loyal customers, visiting patrons and the village of Millerton for your tremendous support,” it stated. “We have enjoyed serving you!”

With his 65th birthday approaching, Hathaway, a resident of Lakeville, Conn., accredited his desire to retire as the main reason fueling his decision to close up shop.

As a bookseller working next door at Oblong Jr., Therese Stanford has observed the number of sad faces walking away from the café after discovering it had closed.

“Since Monday, cars have driven up, people have gotten out of their cars to go there and the look on their faces is just heartbreaking… just a lot of really disappointed faces,” she said.

As she continues selling books and toys at Oblong Jr., Stanford said she’ll miss the steady foot traffic of patrons walking past the bookstore in the direction of Hathaway’s. She also mentioned that her daughter, Sophia, and son, Harry, had both previously worked at Hathaway’s and had good experiences. Her daughter was looking forward to returning to the café this summer. 

The property has since been placed on the market with Elyse Harney Real Estate for a price of $495,000. Described as “a well-equipped café with a welcoming vibe” in the center of the village, Elyse Harney Real Estate advertised that the space is “ready for a new entrepreneur to make their culinary mark on the ever-evolving village.” In addition to its updated electrical, heating and plumbing systems, the space’s two-unit infrastructure includes a large basement with storage, a large open space inside for dining and an outside patio that can accommodate patrons.