Grand Opening Saturday August 23
Laura and Zach Miko, co-owners of Drowsy Whaler Coffee and Grog, are thrilled to announce the grand opening of their first brick-and-mortar location, Drowsy Whaler Cafe, at 1 Dorne Drive in Stratford. Situated at the entrance of the city’s scenic Short Beach (no sticker required to visit the cafe), patrons can order specialty drinks and homemade baked goods and enjoy the picturesque view from inside, on the spacious patio, or over a beachside stroll.
At the back of the building, the Drowsy Whaler Bake Shop will serve to-go beverages and snack items, catering to beachgoers and golfers teeing off at the adjacent Short Beach Golf Course. The recently renovated cafe area offers spacious seating for groups and individuals to kick back and stay awhile.
The opening comes on the heels of Drowsy Whaler Trailer’s tremendous success at Point No Point Park at the Stratford Sea Wall, where locals and visitors alike flock for their morning coffee and handmade southern buttermilk biscuits, coffee cake, and jumbo muffins. The trailer has garnered a cult following of Lordship locals as well as out-of-towners who come for the view and stay for the delicious coffee, treats, and neighborhood charm.
Drowsy Whaler Trailer has noticed explosive growth in recent weeks, thanks to rave reviews from TikTok and Instagram influencers including @foodswithfinn, @thesidedishers, @connecticutkelsey, and @gigigraziano. “We’ve been so humbled this past year with how much our Lordship and Stratford community has embraced us,” offers Co-owner Zach Miko. “We cannot believe people are driving in from so far and standing in line for so long just for us. It is a dream come true.”
All of Drowsy Whaler Trailer’s most coveted items — including the viral Cease and Desist peanut butter and fluff latte, delicious cold brew (the smoothest, chocolatiest around), 10 flavors of lattes, and a weekly special — will be available at Drowsy Whaler Cafe. In the fall, the location will also begin serving beer, wine, and signature cocktails. As always, baristas will craft the highest quality La Colombe espresso drinks, infused with the Mikos’ signature flavors and creative weekly specials. The Mikos even hosted experts from La Colombe to train the cafe’s staff of experienced baristas.
“When we first started Drowsy Whaler, we wanted to create a community hub, a third place, outside of home and work, to meet with friends and neighbors and feel like you’re a part of something,” adds Co-owner and baker Laura Miko. Along with Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick, the Mikos hosted a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 10am, before the official grand opening Saturday Aug. 23.
The cafe will be open 9am – 2pm opening weekend. From there, normal hours will be: Tuesday – Friday 7am – 4pm and Saturday/Sunday 8am – 4pm.
Information provided by Drowsy Whaler
