No wonder the sale of the Woodstar Cafe was headline news in the Gazette last week, 9”Changing hands,” March 23). Over the 20 years since it opened in downtown Northampton, the Woodstar has established itself as a vibrant bakery cafe offering a wonderful variety of breads, an ever expanding array of pastries and hot and cold drinks to suit all tastes. It also has become a favorite meeting place in the community to build friendships, run into old friends, make new ones, plan rallies, and political campaigns. It is a delicious coffee shop to share with visiting family and friends.
This has all happened under the leadership of Rebecca and Dmitri Robbins and as long-time customers we want to add our personal note of appreciation to them for their years of hard work and commitment to the community. With Rebecca’s skill as a baker heading up an amazing team, and their flair for attracting and retaining a terrific staff, they even managed to survive and thrive during the Covid years. During the changing restrictions of Covid, they adapted to each phase, continuing to provide baked goods through the window pick up at first. When the guidelines allowed they expanded outdoor seating, adding heaters in the winter and shade in the summer. We ourselves treasure our times spent at the Woodstar, a welcoming space where we have laughed and cried, mourned and rejoiced. Thank you Rebecca and Dmitri for all you have done and gratitude to Sam for loaning us his parents for these years. We wish you many happy and exciting adventures together in the days ahead.
Jenny Fleming-Ives and Marion VanArsdell
Florence