Spring is in the air, and we are all looking for glimmers of grace as we navigate our way through the continued restrictions due to the corona virus pandemic. In this spirit of hope, both La Belle Aurore and Gumdrops & Lollipops have found creative ways to color our world with the Easter spirit.
When La Belle Aurore offered up a delightful twist to their Easter brunch this year, they were overwhelmed by the positive response from the community. Look for their Easter Bunny who will be delivering pre-ordered meals throughout many of your neighborhoods this weekend. The bunny was booked within eight hours of offering the special on social media. To accommodate as many as possible, Saturday delivery was added. That is now booked as well. He is only one bunny after all!
Efficiency abounds! La Belle Aurore will text you when the bunny is on his way. He comes with a bunny handler who will safely take photos and email or text them to you. The bunny himself is healthy with impeccable hygiene. However, we recommend no hugging, if possible. Have the bunny stand behind little ones for the photo to keep everyone safe. Then send him on his way to his next stop!
While the bunny is booked, you can still order brunch for pick-up or curbside delivery for this weekend and beyond. Grab and Go dinners are also available.
Check out their current Grab & Go or full dinner menu and pre-order anytime here. They regularly add new items. You may also order by phone or email them at labelleaurorect@gmail.com and pay when you pick up. As of now, hours for pick-up and delivery are between 1pm and 7pm Monday and Wednesday through Saturday. Their brunch menu is available Saturday and Sunday between 8am and 1pm.
La Belle Aurore has been a steadfast supporter of our community in so many ways. Here are just a couple more:
Support a neighbor / Thank a neighbor program
This program has been extremely successful thanks to the generosity of our community. Customers are given the opportunity to add money to the cost of their orders to help provide food for neighbors who are unable to pay for a food order during these challenging times. For folks who need the assistance, their order is simply ready for them to pick up, and they have expressed sincere gratitude. Since donations are outpacing the identified need at this time, anything left over at the end of this crazy time will be given to Care & Share of East Lyme.
Full Heart Farm Collective
La Belle Aurore is joining Full Heart Farm Collective, a collection of local producers and makers who have streamlined contactless local buying. By ordering from the collective, you can purchase a variety of farm products and locally made goods for your family table, direct from producers, to pick up at the farm or for local delivery.
You can read more about this initiative here.
You can keep up to date with La Belle Aurore by visiting their website at labelleaurorect.com. Follow them on Facebook and on Instagram at @labelleaurorect too!
Luckily for us, Gumdrops & Lollipops, our 1950’s style diner, candy shoppe and homemade ice cream parlor has also gotten into the Easter spirit.
To follow guidelines and keep their customers safe, they are offering Easter candy, chocolates, fudge and ice cream quarts via pick-up through their back window by appointment.
They have many types of fun and traditional Easter candies and some sample baskets pictured on their Facebook page. Each is numbered to make ordering a snap! You can easily place an order by sending them a message on Facebook or by emailing them at gumdrops.lollipops@yahoo.com.
Their customized Easter baskets start at $24.99. Easter candy includes solid chocolate bunnies, eggs, jelly bellies, fruit slices, fudge and a wide variety of premium chocolates. Don’t forget to include a Gumdrops & Lollipops gift certificate in the basket!
They make their own ice cream, fudge and some chocolate on premises. Visit their website for a full list of all candies, chocolates and fudge flavors: gumdropsnlollipops.net. Here, you’ll also see the full list of over 35 different homemade ice cream flavors available for purchase by the quart.
To keep updated, please visit Gumdrops & Lollipops often at their website, as well as on social media on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gumdropsnlollipops/ and on Instagram at @gumdropsnlollipopsct.
La Belle Aurore and Gumdrops & Lollipops wish to thank their customers who have remained so loyal and generous, and they look forward to continuing to serve you!
We’re all in this together! Niantic and East Lyme businesses, email us at info@discovereastlyme.com if you would like to share how your business is currently adapting to the current economic climate.
About Our Main Street Blogger:
Joanne lives in, and loves, our community. She was looking for an opportunity to help share all that our local businesses do to make East Lyme such a special place to call home, and she is excited to contribute to our blog. Joanne brings to the role her experience from New London Main Street where she contributed content to their website, newsletters and email communications for many years.