Snow or no, Seasonal Shops Spring Up in Fairfield

The simple poster board sign on the side of Park Avenue reads “Eat Me,” grabbing the attention of passing drivers and drawing them to Michael DeFilippo’s food stand on the Bridgeport-Fairfield border. But Michael and Colin Fisher, his friend and employee, took a less aggressive approach to news that wintry weather may return Thursday and Friday.

“We’ll be here,” Michael said. “You’ve got to take the good with the bad. The weather this year has been about 10 degrees colder than it usually is, but we’ve caught a couple nice days.”

Michael and Colin opened their food truck, dubbed Domenica’s Italian Kitchen, just last week to kick off the spring season. So far, they’ve sold most of their burgers and hot dogs to construction crews working at the nearby Discovery Museum or a few Sacred Heart University students from up the road. But as the weather gets warmer, they’re hoping that visitors to the large park behind them or golfers at Fairchild Wheeler across the street will stop by for a bite to eat.

“On a day like [Wednesday], we’ve been doing pretty good, because it’s sunny out,” Colin said. Michael added, “People get very timid with just a little bit of rain.”

Unfortunately for the Domenica’s guys, this weekend might not be the best to draw in new customers. Forecasts predict rain and temperatures in the 40s through Friday night, with a few snow showers possibly mixing with the rain Thursday night.

The possible return of winter weather could also slow business for George Rubin, who returned to work March 17. The Fairfielder keeps busy in his retirement as a cashier at the town’s South Pine Creek Golf Course. Golfers were out Wednesday afternoon, getting in a few rounds before the rain hit. George says that although some die-hards might show up if the rain is light, snow is a different story.

“If it gets like that [snowy] it’s not so much that people can’t play,” George said. “But it ruins the course, damages it.” Still, even rainy or just plain cold weather could make George’s job a bit less interesting than the past week’s warmth. “You bring a book, and have a radio,” George said. “But it’s pretty boring.”

What shops and businesses do you make sure to visit when the weather gets warmer? Does the snow make you change your mind? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.