Planning a birthday party for a loved one? Stew Leonard’s in Newington, Connecticut makes the planning process extremely easy, and offers a wide variety of options both in the store and for catering off the premises. We recently held our daughter’s third birthday, and first ever kid-party in the store’s smaller party-room. Since she is only three, the vibrantly decorated room easily accommodated her small number of close friends and her beloved teenage sitter. Cooking parties and other events for children over five and adults are held in a larger room. My daughter was able to pick out the cake that she wanted from an expansive list and chose to have one of the store’s trademark characters visit her party. Since I’m such a stylish mommy, and Gemini-born Annie is my twin, she immediately chose chic, “Cynthia the Chick” as her featured guest. Two young energetic staff members, Marisha and Bokai immediately made Annie feel special. Our friend Paul, a veteran staff member also greeted us when we first arrived on the day of the party. Since we began coming to this Stew Leonard’s on a weekly basis, the staff members make my family feel like part of theirs. My weekly sushi cravings are satisfied by their excellent specialty chefs who usually prepare my special order in less than five minutes for several dollars less than other local upscale grocers. 

Annie’s name was prominently displayed on a large chalkboard marking the entrance to the upstairs dining and party area. She received a special nametag and several colorful “tattoos” before her friends arrived. As soon as all the children were present and given nametags, Bokai and Marisha began distributing materials for the craft, a small wooden keepsake box which they painted and decorated.  Bokai quickly ran to the kitchen to borrow chef’s aprons to use as smocks in order to cover up and avoid paint spills on new summer outfits. While the paint dried, the lights were turned off and a colorful disco ball was turned on for a dance party and limbo game.

A large quantity of yummy cheese pizza was delivered to the party room, and I wish I had remembered to tell the parents to eat some, but most of us had already gotten salads or in my case sushi to enjoy in the dining area. “Cynthia the Chick” visited the party after some of the pizza was consumed and before the cake and their famous, freshly made soft ice-cream was served. Annie and I highly recommend the delicious food, staff and venue for a lunch with friends, a birthday party or even a larger event such as a charity fundraiser or business meeting. I also posed with “Cynthia the Chick” before she made her entrance for the three year olds!