concept

Poppy is a cafe with a small market in Burlington’s Old North End. Originally conceptualized as a sit down restaurant, we transitioned our business plan as Covid hit. We were able to create a model that could adhere to restrictions. We decided to go with sandwiches because it was easy take-out, required a limited staff and allowed us an opportunity for creativity. Turns out, it was exactly what everyone was craving. Now, Poppy is a gathering space for the neighborhood, a go-to spot for a quality lunch, a resource and partner for community groups, and a space where people feel at home. Subject to seasonal change, Poppy offer’s a small menu of unique and creative options. Ultimately, we want to push the boundary of what a sandwich can be.

origins

The seeds for Poppy were sown somewhere between the Feast of the Seven Fishes and the High Holy Days. This unlikely yet complementary blend of Italian and Jewish heritage gave way to an obsession with food and its ability to bring people together. What started in a family kitchen grew into dorms, apartments, backyards, and eventually, commercial kitchens.