While we haven’t been able to establish the exact date, we’re pretty certain Harborview existed as far back as the 19th century, specializing in Swedish fare to supply Black Rock’s burgeoning Scandinavian population. For much of the latter part of the 20th Century, Harborview operated as a full scale grocery store and butcher shop. But by the 1990s, when our family bought our home in Black Rock, it had become at best, a rundown convenience store occupying only half of the once thriving market and encased with a chain link fence that served to further diminish the already degraded appearance.
Today, we are so grateful for the many that visit Harborview and continue to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that has come to characterize our business. It is truly a reflection of the wonderful Black Rock neighborhood around us, and a testament to our belief that “if we built it, they would come.”
And so we took on two very significant challenges - raising a family that grew to include five children and reviving a business that was operating on life support, a shadow of its former self. Our first step was to take down the chain link fence and add full size windows to the front of the store and re-establish a friendly welcoming vibe. Little by little business began to return and with it we continued to make improvements. Eventually, we abandoned the grocery business entirely and became a breakfast and lunch establishment, with a heavy emphasis on baked goods made on the premises.
Over the years, we have been fortunate to win a number of accolades such as Best Breakfast, Best Lunch, Best Cookie in the state, and most recently, one of the 51 best coffee shops in America. But the award we were most humbled by was when Fairfield County Weekly voted us, “Best Place to Dine Alone.” For the past 26 years as owners of the Harborview, it has been so rewarding to watch the friendships and relationships that have been formed and cultivated here. It is with tremendous pride that we continue to try to improve on what has been a very long “labor of love” and on some days, “a labor of like”!