A different kind of eatery: Not a Phase Café joins Town Center’s culinary scene

by Mark Jahne

Editor

There is a certain feel to the Not a Phase Café at 1100 Main St. in Town Center that one notices on a first visit. That’s an intentional appeal conceived by co-owners Kim Parker and Jared Linn.

Their eatery is a place where folks can enjoy breakfast and luncheon fare. The menu features breakfast sandwiches, bagels, pancakes and other food items. There are numerous hot and cold beverages with a seemingly endless selection of specialty coffees and teas.

Parker and Linn, who are married to each other and live in town, created an “emo-themed” look accompanied by purple lighting and punk rock music. Emo theme is defined as a 2000s-inspired subcultural style focused on emotional expression and characterized by dark, melancholic fashion. Background music is a component of the overall experience.

Kim Parker and her husband Jared Linn bring a lot of flavor to specialty coffee drinks and breakfast and lunch options at their Not A Phase Cafe. (Lisa Brisson)

“We have an extensive playlist that we add to,” Linn said.

Breakfast sandwiches include egg and cheese, burritos, avocado toast and bowls. Or try the cinnamon buns, muffins, cookies, funnel cakes and daily specials. Other options are tater tots, hashbrowns, eggs, bacon and plant-based-side dishes.

“Our breakfast burrito is a top seller. Our baked stuff goes pretty quickly,” Parker said.

The lunch menu includes BLTs, vegan BLT, wraps and salads, along with daily specials. Beverage options are hot or cold coffees and teas, sodas, juices, espresso and specialty brews.

Parker earned a culinary degree in college. She currently works as a real estate paralegal. Linn, who does a lot of the cooking, has a background in what he called casual and quick-service food establishments.

Jared Linn and Kim Parker are the owners of Not a Phase Café. (Lisa Brisson)

"I’ve been in the industry for 20 years,” he said. “I started in food service at 16. I do all the baking.”

“The name kind of came with the theme,” Parker said. “It attracted a lot of people right off the bat. We definitely have good breakfast food.”

She added that the breakfast burrito is their most popular item. The wide variety of beverages draws customers and what she called a youthful vibe is attracting a young clientele. They wanted to be part of the wider community and joined the Newington Chamber of Commerce.

When it comes to flavors that can be added to their beverages there are too many to list. Think of a fruit, any fruit, and they probably have that flavor.

“There’s a lot. We have all of them,” Linn said with a smile.

“Dirty sodas is a big thing that everybody’s into right now,” Parker said.

“They put dairy in their soda,” Linn added for purposes of explanation.

Layered coffee is a popular drink, too. The café does not have a liquor license so all its beverages are non-alcoholic.

“We’re going to be offering some themed pup cups [for dogs] pretty soon,” Parker said.

These business owners are paying close attention to what sells well and what does not and adjust the menu as needed. The café has an active presence on social media including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. They are pleased with the results and also delighted that they employ 12 people.

“We have steady traffic. We’re busy pretty much all the time,” Parker said. “We’re having a lot of fun. It’s different when you own your own business.”

They do themed weekends at least once a month and highlight the music of different bands.

Parker is a volunteer with Army’s Legacy Animal Release and Sanctuary in Westbrook. This nonprofit organization rescues dogs and cats in need, rehabilitates them and works to have them adopted into “forever” homes.

Not a Phase Café is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. It is closed on Mondays. NL

For more information, or to place an order, visit notaphasecafe.com or call 860-969-7238.