Chatting in Chandlers

Cafe brings a touch of the Big Apple to Sylvania

by Madelyn Hille

published June 4th 2008

The fact that Chandler Café opened on Black Friday, the busiest buying day of the year, should have tipped off these ambitious women that they were on to something fabulous.

“We’ve basically been busy since the day we opened,” said co-owner Laurie Stansley. Laurie, her sister-in-law Gail Stansley and their friend Mary Blaisdell, hatched the plan to open Chandler Café when the Stansley hubbies bought the building to house their quarry business’ office on the second floor. But when the Stansley men were about to put the first floor on the renters market, Gail got the green eyes of envy, seeing the potential and realizing she wanted the floor for the café.

It’s no great wonder the Stansley family saw the potential in the building, with its exposed brick walls and hammered tin ceiling; with all it’s classic charm, it’s the kind of place that makes you wanna throw down a latte while sitting in a club chair reading a book, or hang with the girls and gossip about the new town hussy. Or if you’re a designer, put in a Mod twist with track lighting and a New York feel, like they did so well.

“It’s called Chandler’s because this is the Chandler building from the old Chandler’s Hardware,” said Gail, “We have pictures up of the old hardware, and the older customers come in and still remember the store’s layout.”

Upon entering, one is instantly struck by the laid back, chilled vibe.

“We didn’t come into this as business sharks, hungry for competition,” said Blaisdell, “Sylvania really needed a spot like this downtown where you can ‘eat, sip, and chat.” That phrase has even been adopted as the official Chandler motto, and it’s one of the first things you see on the wall when you walk in the door. One thing you won’t notice, however, is the drive up window, discretely tucked in the side ally of cobble stone and iron pillars. Just another twist they’ve adopted that’s so surprisingly un-franchisee.

The menu is small and practical with salads, sandwiches and baked good that are all homemade with fresh ingredients. “We wanted to do a small menu, with quality over quantity,” said Laurie, who as a former dietician has an eye for what’s good and good for you. Mixing up the summer menu the ladies have added a new Caprise Salad with fresh mozzarella, Calmata olives, basil and balsamic dressing and a new Fantina Panini Sandwich with pesto, tomatoes and greens. And don’t forget they fruit smoothies and iced lattes (the ladies recommend the mixed berry smoothie and carmal latte). But the menu isn’t the only thing changing — so are the summer hours (7 a.m.- 8 p.m. Mon. - Fri. - and 8-5 p.m. Sat. and Sun.)

Overall these women have used their girl power for the greater good of Downtown Sylvania, creating a happening new spot to ‘eat, sit and chat’.

“Our goal was just to make people happy, and us happy, and we have,” said Blaisdell. “When we stop having fun, we’ll stop.”

Chandler Cafe is located at 5648 N. Main Street in Sylvania. 419-517-5088/chandlercafe.com.