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Ribbon Cutting
The Painted Baker Cafe had its official ribbon cutting last week. Maldonado is holding the bow and her husband Carlos is to her right. Additional photos Wednesday night on our Facebook page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photos.
Delpha Very
From left: Leigh Dalton, Monique Maldonado and PBA President Gary Osbrey.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- It was a dream. Now it's open for breakfast and lunch in downtown Putnam.
At the official ribbon cutting of the Painted Baker Cafe, Monique Maldonado said she always wanted to open a restaurant and when the Main Street Grill space went up for sale she said "Let's do it."
She said she wanted the cafe to be "like a destination place". She wanted something special that would appeal to all demographics. That translated into a "Jetson-y" look that Maldonado said would appeal to all three age groups: children, adults and seniors. She said most restaurants in the area have a bar. She wanted a family destination. That called for "retro with atomic with space age," she said.
A destination with retro, mid century and modern looks.
"There's nothing like this around," she said. And where did the Painted Baker moniker come from? Maldonado said she asked her friend, baker and general manager Leigh Dalton if she could use her Instagram name. Dalton said yes and that became the name of the bakery and cafe. Maldonado called Dalton "the mastermind behind the menu and behind all the bakery items."
And the decor is "absolutely stunning. It's over the top," said Delpha Very, the town's Economic and Community Development executive director. "I just love ribbon cuttings," she said. "We get to keep bragging and bragging" about our town. Deputy Mayor Roy Simmons (standing in for the mayor) said "We're glad you chose Putnam for your business." Gary Osbrey, president of the Putnam Business Association, said "Visitors come here and say 'Wow, this is a cool town'. It's very compelling."
It was nine months of renovations and hard work. Barry Brandriff was just one of many friends who helped make Maldonado's dream real. He cut out the wood for the unique artwork on the walls, came in one day and presented Maldonado with a handmade '50s clock. He even helped install the POS system.
Maldonado said "It's another world. I come in here and feel like I'm not in Putnam anymore."
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