Back to Business after Presidential Lunch

On Wednesday, President Barack Obama had the head table of all head tables at Cafe Beauregard in New Britain.  With just 45 minutes notice, he and his entourage lunched at the small restaurant.

On Thursday, Cafe Beauregard let anybody in.

"Little busier than usual!" said Rob Chiovoloni, who opened Cafe Beauregard with his wife in December.  Their business model relies on people making the walk from nearby government and office buildings.

"With the really severe winter, that's eaten into that. So this is coming at the right time. We've worked out most of the kinks in the operation," Chiovoloni said.

The restaurant is in a corner spot that's been a revolving door for eateries. Passersby say it's different from its predecessors.

"It is rather costly," said Linda Freeman.

But regulars said they're there because Cafe Beauregard is different from its predecessors. Some customers said they weren't aware of who had come in for lunch on Wednesday until they came in on Thursday.

"I didn't even know Obama was at this coffee shop," said Edward Haugabook. "But now that I do, I'll make sure I'll be there from now on. And there's some good coffee."

If President Obama does return, he'll find the chair he used high above the customer service area, ready for him.

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