above: (left to right) Gavin Bruestle, Nick Demirjian, Matt Paris, Tyler Thomas, Jack Wanderer, Lachlan Harrington, Luke Ditlevsen, Charlie McGuire, Ben Bomann and Tyler Schimmeck.
Photography by Venera Alexandrova
New Canaan Butcher has carved out a successful niche for itself as a deli and meat supplier in its first year of business, but what has been most meaningful to the owner as he marks the first anniversary is the sense of community he has experienced.
“I am most proud of the fact that the town has been so supportive,” said New Canaan Butcher owner Paul Paris, pulling a few trays of newly crisped bacon out of the oven to use in sandwiches that day.
Paris is an area local who attended St. Aloysius and Darien High School, and now lives in New Canaan with his two children and wife, Valerie.
He has a long history in the local food business, first as a commercial fisherman out of Norwalk, followed by ten years on the wholesale side and then running the Darien Butcher Shop’s Old Greenwich location.
Paris always wanted to open his own store, and spent a few years living in New Canaan waiting for the right time and location.
In 2022, a spot became available on Burtis Avenue. Drawn by the open space and wall of windows, Paris signed a lease and six months later, New Canaan Butcher had its official opening.
The town and shop quickly developed a mutual appreciation.
“My son plays a few sports, a lot of people come in and know our family from that. Everywhere I go in town, I see people I’ve met through the shop,” Paris said, reflecting on how life in New Canaan has changed since opening.
Red and white Adirondack chairs placed outside the shop have become a casual gathering spot for local kids, including for high schoolers coming for lunch and middle schoolers dropping by in the afternoon.
“It’s a great place to hang out,” said Tyler Schimmeck, 13, a lacrosse teammate of Paul’s son Matt. “Matt was the one who originally encouraged us to come here after school.”
Afternoon milkshakes and sandwiches are popular choices, especially since they are made until 7:00 pm.
“My goal is to make everything fresh, and I also didn’t want to use the same bread as everyone else,” said Paris, so handcrafted bread is delivered daily from Terranova Bakery in the Bronx.
The shop has embraced the community in other ways too.
Three interns from New Canaan High School worked at the shop this spring as part of the Senior Internship Program, gaining firsthand knowledge about running a small business. Paris often hires students as part-time help behind the counter.
“I played sports, and I always talk to the kids. I ask them how their season is going, what position do you play, where are you looking to go to college. I try to engage every one of them,” noted Paris. “It’s a very happy atmosphere. I love having them here.”
On a recent weekday, the meat cases featured an assortment of grass-fed, Wagyu and dry-aged beef, Berkshire pork, Colorado pasture-raised lamb, Amish farm organic chicken and house-made sausages.
Paris makes the 5:00 a.m. drive to the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx twice a week to ensure the shop is fully stocked with the freshest options.
If there’s something his customers want to try that he doesn’t currently carry, he is happy to special order. “If it’s out there and legal, I can get it,” he said.
The shop also offers catering options for special events, including pig roasts and backyard barbecues. Sandwich trays have been a popular post-game option for sports teams.
In appreciation of the warm welcome he has received in New Canaan, Paris has been paying it forward. Recently he donated a backyard pig roast to the ABC House auction and worked with the West School PTC on a lunch for their Special Education staff. And this spring he sponsored a Little League Team for the first time.
“My favorite thing about running this shop is dealing with the customers,” he said. “New Canaan has been phenomenal. I love my customers and love interacting with them every day.”