Annie's Cafe holding open house today at new location

LACONIA — Passersby on Gilford Avenue may have noticed a new neighbor in the old “Georgio’s” building: Annie’s Cafe and Catering. In December, Annie’s Cafe and Catering relocated from its eight-year Union Avenue location to 138 Gilford Ave. in order to accommodate the growing business needs and better serve the daily influx of cafe and catering customers.

Customers new and old are invited to attend Annie’s Winter Warmer, a grand opening gathering taking place today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the new location with food, beverages, and fun.

“We had catering dishes stacked high on counters, and a daily line out the door,” laughed Lisa Delampan, catering and operations manager of the Cafe, as she explained the decision to relocate, “and my ‘desk’ consisted of a corner cafe table which we often had to clear so customers could sit!”

It was at this point that, along with owner Annie Bridgeman, Delampan knew it was time to search for a larger home for the business.

Annie’s new space is approximately triple the size of the old space with 1,500 square feet, compared to the old location which had only 500 square feet. Additionally, the new location offers more customer parking, an expanded cafe area for a relaxed dining experience, a larger kitchen, plenty of storage for catering supplies, and the much needed office and creative space.

“We love our new location here on Gilford Avenue,” said Bridgeman. “We have several exciting happenings coming up including the Winter Warmer opening party, the release of an a la carte catering menu, and this spring, a gelato window! Customers are enjoying the convenience of the location, and we are excited about how much more we can offer here. We will keep bringing lots of fun and good cooking!”

One of the new offerings, the release of an a la carte catering menu will provides customers with more than 15 homemade, savory menu items that only require a 24-hour call-ahead notice. Menu items include lasagna, mac and cheese, chicken broccoli alfredo, butternut pesto lasagne, and chicken parmesan. Customers simply call the cafe 24-hours in advance and the order will be ready for pick-up the very next day.

“The new A La Carte Catering Menu will be released and published to our website, www.anniescafeandcatering.com, by mid-February,” said Delampan. “We are very excited for this next chapter while staying true to our business model of serving creative, fresh, and delicious food to our customers every day.”

Cormac Hogan reaches for a cup of hot chocolate from Annie Bridgeman, owner of Annie's Cafe and Catering, which is now operating in larger quarters on Gilford Avenue in Laconia. (Courtesy photo)

Lisa Delampan, left, catering and operations manager of Annie's Cafe and Catering and owner Annie Bridgeman stand behind the counter of their new and larger location on Gilford Avenue. (Courtesy photo)