About The Café at Darien Library

The Partnership

The Café at Darien Library is a partnership between Darien Library and Abilis to write the next chapter in café and local coffee shop service.

Café equipment and technology made possible through a generous grant from The Darien Foundation

Providing Jobs for Adults with Disabilities

The Café at Darien Library is run by Abilis as a competitive employment program and provides adults with disabilities meaningful employment, an opportunity to learn important job skills and to be gainfully employed.

As a nonprofit, Abilis supports more than 800 individuals with special needs and their families from birth throughout their lives.

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Darien Library's Mission

Darien Library’s mission is to provide education, entertainment, enrichment, meaningful employment and community building through compassionate service to all. Darien Library is the heart of Darien and provides experiences that are loved and remembered and to provide meaningful employment to special needs. Darien Library is a Library Journal Star Library. It is among the busiest public libraries in the state, with more than 1,300 visiting on an average day and has the highest per capita circulation in Connecticut.

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Meet Our Team

Here are some of the friendly faces that you'll see at The Café!

Joe Champagne

Café & Concession Manager

Ali

Ali enjoys hanging out with her parents, her dog Bailey (a Lab mix), and her brother. Ali is partial to the outdoors and enjoys walks in the nice, warm weather. She has been busy recently working with the Special Olympics on her swimming. Ali’s favorite food at The Café is the quiche.

Annabelle

Annabelle loves to sing, dance, bake and try new foods. Her favorite item at The Café is the Breakfast Sandwich, which she enjoys after her work shift is over. Annabelle also enjoys working out at the YMCA and loves listening to K-pop.

Harry

Harry describes himself as friendly, outgoing and a hard worker. He likes to watch videos, listen to music and hang out with his friends and do activities with the members of his group home. Harry has a family dog he enjoys spending time with as well. At The Café, Harry is a big fan of the delicious cookies!

Joe

Joe loves to cook and is passionate about his big Italian family. In fact, Joe speaks and sings songs in Italian! Cooking and eating Italian food and celebrating Italian holidays have always been a big part of his family. Joe spends his free time performing with the Off-Beat Players Theater, watching sports and is a fan of the New York Giants, Yankees and also the Islanders. He has an Italian Greyhound dog named Riley and loves the Caesar Salad at The Café.

Melanie

Melanie is an avid singer and enjoys hanging out with her friends. Her favorite menu item from The Café is a ham sandwich.

Sophia

Sophia is an equestrian and enjoys riding her horse and spending time with her family’s two dogs and cat. In her spare time she also enjoys beading crafts and volunteers at her barn to help with the other horses. Sophia is a huge lover of animals, regardless of what type they are — she loves dogs, cats, horses and bunnies! She enjoys spending time with her siblings and walking her uncles dogs, as well as going out to eat. Sophia’s favorite menu item at The Café is the Bacon Cheddar Chipotle Panini.

Our Food & Beverage Partners

The Café offers a variety of delicious and popular food choices and has partnered with local favorites including Friends & Company Kitchen, Happiness Is Back Country Market and Neri’s Bakery. The Café is also proud to serve local, organic coffee from Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters.

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Gift Cards Available

Looking for that perfect gift? Consider a gift card for The Café at Darien Library for some great coffee and delicious treats!

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