Norma’s Corner Shoppe, the popular café in Ridgewood that’s been a neighborhood cornerstone for 14 years, announced that it will close at the end of this month — allegedly due to persistent complications with its electric kitchens.
After almost a year of working with Con Edison and licensed electricians to figure out the cause, Norma’s owners stated that it is no longer feasible to remain open until this summer, the estimated time when experts believe the problem will be solved.
The owners, Crystal Williams and Denise Plowman, confirmed the decision to QNS. They say they have already alerted staff that Norma’s Ridgewood location at 59-02 Catalpa Ave. will serve its last customers on March 29, as the sudden onslaught of electrical equipment malfunctions has adversely impacted the business.
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Norma’s has been a popular Ridgewood café since Plowman and Williams, both single mothers, used their personal savings and opened the store in 2012. Named for Williams’ late grandmother, the shop started with a “DIYed” counter to sell espresso and pastries, eventually growing and expanding to another location in the Hudson Valley in 2022.
Since opening, Norma’s has expanded to offer a wider variety of food and drinks and upgraded its equipment to keep up with demand.
While Norma’s hasn’t officially issued a public statement announcing the closure, rumors spread on social media after two former employees alleged that managers were receiving tips intended for employees. Williams stated that Norma’s pays all employees over the minimum wage plus the full tips owed; neither employee who made the allegation responded for comment.
Williams did not want the situation to overshadow the closure, and reiterated her gratitude to the neighborhood and community, focusing instead on the many good years spent in Ridgewood.
“We aren’t focusing on any sadness. We want to express our gratitude [to Ridgewood] for the time we’ve been gifted. We know we are lucky to have had the years we’ve had,” Williams said. “Ridgewood has been unbelievably supportive of us over the years, and we’ve made beautiful memories. We want to cherish and honor those.”
