—Inside three creative businesses in Connecticut’s Quiet Corner
With handcrafted ice cream and historic lodging, Alamode Café and the Watson Boutique Inn invite travelers to savor small-town New England life.
Inside three creative businesses in Connecticut’s Quiet Corner
With handcrafted ice cream and historic lodging, Alamode Café and the Watson Boutique Inn invite travelers to savor small-town New England life.
In Thompson, Connecticut, two local businesses are turning passion into purpose — the Alamode Café and the Watson Boutique Bed and Breakfast. Each brings creativity, warmth, and community spirit to this quiet New England town.
As does artist Randy Burt, a chainsaw carver; he has created more than 5,000 sculptures — from bears to eagles — and even caught the attention of NFL legend Adam Vinatieri.
“I like the challenge,” Burt said.
At dawn, Alamode Café hums with energy. Owners Dave Anderson and Christina Donatelli Anderson call their journey one of “failing up.” After 18 years running Victoria Station in nearby Putnam, they downsized in 2023 to a cozy café originally meant for just pie and ice cream.
“We failed miserably, and all our friends laughed,” Christina said. “But we just can’t stop thinking about things to make.”
Today, Alamode’s menu features croissants, breads, sandwiches and grab-and-go meals, but Dave’s homemade ice cream is the star.
“I use no additives, no preservatives,” he said.
Christina added, “His pistachio ice cream isn’t green — he uses real ingredients, like mint leaves and espresso beans.”
Christina’s Italian family taught her to bake, while Dave transitioned from DJing at WAAF radio to mixing flavors instead of tracks. The café’s rural setting offers calm without compromise.
“It’s peaceful,” Christina said. “Even on days off, we find new ideas — it’s what we love.”
Just up the hill, Beth and Scott Hume run the Watson Boutique Bed and Breakfast, a lovingly restored 1767 farmhouse once owned by Samuel Watson.
“It’s not work when it’s joy,” Beth said. “I grew up in a hotel in Brazil, and now it’s my dream to run one here.”
The community helped the couple open in just three months. The inn’s six guest rooms and event barn reflect their attention to detail, while Beth’s Brazilian cheese bread and generous breakfasts delight guests.
“I love hearing people’s stories,” she said. “When they stay here, it feels like the world comes to us.”
