From the drafting board to the cutting board: Kelly’s Cafe tasty second act for its owners

F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "There are no second acts in American lives," but when Dan and Kelly Guzzi open Kelly's Cafe May 26, it will show just how wrong a noted author can be.

The Boothbay couple operated a civil engineering and land surveying company and has lived in the area since moving here from New Jersey in 2010. Dan's father was from Maine and the couple discovered Boothbay Harbor years ago.

It was Thanksgiving and they stopped for lunch in Portland where kind restauranteurs provided their meal at no charge. Kelly was so touched by the generosity, "That was the moment I knew I wanted to be part of Maine." Dan and Kelly continued on to Boothbay Harbor and, "It became a dream of ours to live here," she said.

"Our families had restaurants and grocery stores," she told the Register. "So it's not entirely new to us." They knew the Bridge Street Cafe space and had helped out there from time to time. "That experience ignited a spark in me," Kelly said. "I realized that I could do it and enjoy it."

The couple took over the space on the By-way Nov. 30 and say the renovations and creating a new color scheme ("modern seaside vibe") has been fun. There have not been a lot of surprises because they figured it would be a lot of work. "Shopping for food takes forever," Kelly added. They set up the kitchen and bought new equipment and work tables.

Kelly's Cafe will offer traditional breakfast and lunch food and will have vegan, vegetarian, paleo, Whole 30, keto and gluten-free choices. Pizza is on the menu for breakfast and lunch as well. And bag lunches – sandwich, chips and fruit – will be available for people walking around town or heading out on a boat.

Everything will be listed, so if an item is in a special category, it will be noted on the menu. Kelly said a goal is to make the menu as clear as possible so people know they will find something they want.

"We’ve been feeding family and friends non-stop with a full run though of the menu," Kelly said. Cooking was a hobby for her and a way of showing people she cares about them. The cafe is open Wednesdays through Sundays for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to noon until mid-June and then from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The Guzzis hope to add one or two new members to their team. Anyone interested can call Kelly at 633-7447.

Asked how skills they learned in their previous careers translated to running a cafe, Kelly said, "We worked with people previously and we’ll provide services like we did before. Those things we learned over the years will help us have a good start at the cafe."

"We’re so grateful and so excited," she added.

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