‘This would be the perfect spot’
Stratford welcomes new businesses for cakes, cars
STRATFORD — Cakes and cars were on the agenda this week as the town welcomed two new businesses to Barnum Avenue.
Cakes by Sonia, at 2067 Barnum Ave., is owned by Sonia Diaz, who was born and raised in Bridgeport and now lives in Stratford.
Diaz said she’s been baking for about nine years, first at Food Bazaar in Bridgeport, then at other businesses, before branching out on her own.
She opened her business on Barnum Avenue in Bridgeport in late 2019 — not the greatest timing in retrospect.
“It was like three months in and then we just had to lock down,” Diaz said. “I was not expecting a pandemic would happen right in the beginning. That was my first year in business and that was a big surprise.”
She said she saw the vacancy at her current location and figured it would be a nice place for the business.
“I kept passing by all the time and I would always look at this corner and think, ‘This
would be the perfect spot,’” she said.
Diaz said business has been good so far.
Her custom-made cakes are popular, as well as cupcakes, a full assortment of which were on display Tuesday — coconut, banana, strawberry, carrot, marble, green velvet, Oreo, triple chocolate, just to name a few flavors.
And if you’re a fan of the confectionery fragrance, you’ll want to stop by.
“We’re always baking in the back, so as soon as you walk in, you’re going to get the smell,” Diaz said.
Across Thompson Street, CARite of Stratford has opened in the space formerly occupied by Barry Oldsmobile-Cadillac opposite Mike’s Motors — but don’t think the employees there are going to sell you a car.
“We Do Not Sell Cars!” a sign announces to prospective customers. “OUR GUESTS BUY ONE.”
The business promises “zero haggling” prices without hidden fees, free vehicle histories — and no salespeople.
“We’re not car people,” said James Kellerman, store leader. “If you would have talked to me a year ago, I would have been selling you Sleep Number beds.”
Customers can come to the business and get a list of vehicles for sale before taking one for a test drive to see if they want to buy. Or if you know what you want, you can choose online and have it delivered to your door after arranging financing.
The dealership has room for 108 cars — they specialize in Toyota, Hyundai, Honda and Nissan but carry other makes and models as well. Kellerman said they’ve been selling electric cars in particular lately — five to seven Chevy Volts every month.
The Stratford location is one of two in Connecticut — the flagship is in Windsor Locks — and 26 throughout the country.
CARite does basic service work in Stratford but will be looking to ramp up its service department as well as detailing.
“We’re working on it. We’re building and building,” Kellerman said. “Right now we’re just trying to get our name out there and let people know it’s a nice easy, relaxed place to buy a car.”
Mayor Laura Hoydick congratulated Diaz and Kellerman
Tuesday before ceremonial ribbon-cuttings to welcome their businesses to town.
“I’m just really happy they invested in Stratford. It’s nice to have new folks right across the street from each other,” Hoydick said afterward. “It’s great for the neighborhood and right on the Post Road. I wish them a lot of success.”
CARite’s rehabilitation of a once-vacant lot was also good to see, she said.
“It’s nice to have another car dealership in Stratford, because for a long time we’ve only had a few,” Hoydick said. “It’s nice that this franchise has decided to reuse a property that was a car dealership and repurpose it, so that’s great.”