Since 1975, Atticus has been a cornerstone of the New Haven community, evolving from a beloved independent bookstore and café into a regional leader in artisan baking and hospitality. Our mission is to provide nourishment for both the mind and the body through a commitment to literature, community, and the craft of traditional sourdough.

Our Story

The Atticus story began in 1975, when Charles Negaro Sr. left his law practice to open a small used bookstore on Chapel Street. In 1981, he added a café. This addition wasn’t just about coffee; the team began baking artisan breads in-house to support the café menu.

As demand for the bread outpaced the small bookstore kitchen, Charles founded our sister business, Chabaso Bakery, in 1995. Named after a combination of his three children’s names—Charlie, Abigail, and Sophia—Chabaso has since grown into a regional leader in artisan bread, now operating as a Certified B Corp dedicated to using business as a force for good.

In 2019, the leadership torch passed to Charles Negaro Jr., who returned to the family’s roots with a renewed focus on regional grains and long-fermentation sourdough. Under his guidance, we expanded in 2021 to open Atticus Market in East Rock, bridging the gap between our historic downtown home and the neighborhood-centric culinary hub we are today.

Building on this commitment to the local food system, Charles Negaro Jr. & Chabaso’s sales & marketing director Reed Immer co-founded CT Food Launchpad, a non-profit initiative designed to support the next generation of Connecticut food entrepreneurs. By leveraging the retail expertise of Atticus and the manufacturing scale of Chabaso, the Launchpad helps emerging local brands navigate the transition from small-batch production to major retail distribution. Through mentorship and an annual pitch competition, this initiative ensures that diverse, homegrown makers have the resources they need to scale, further strengthening the regional culinary ecosystem we call home.

The Bakery & Regional Grains

At the core of everything we do is our bakery. We specialize in long-fermented sourdough, utilizing stone-ground grains sourced from farmers and millers throughout the Northeast. By prioritizing regional agriculture, we ensure that every loaf of bread and every pastry we serve supports a sustainable local food system.

Our Locations

Atticus Bookstore Café (Downtown)

Located in the heart of the Yale University district, our flagship store features a full‑service café and a thoughtfully curated selection of fiction and non‑fiction reads. Wander through a treasure trove of gifts for everyone in your life, discover trinkets you never knew you needed, and find the perfect card for any—and every—occasion.

• Menu: Our kitchen is open from 8am - 5pm daily offering hot breakfast & lunch. We offer a variety of grab & go option from fresh salads and sandwiches to overnight oats. From the barista bar, a wide variety of coffee, espresso beverages, specialty teas, and more. The shelves are curated selection of natural wine and local craft beer and cider.

• Experience: A classic, academic atmosphere perfect for study, conversation, or a quiet meal among the stacks.

• Bookstore: Curated inventory of fiction, non-fiction, planners, puzzles, cards - a treasure hunt of unique gifts.

Atticus Market (East Rock)

A modern neighborhood market and kitchen designed for the East Rock community.

• Kitchen: Cooked-to-order breakfast and lunch, including signature panuozzo sandwiches and seasonal hot dishes.

• Grab & Go: A hot case featuring daily soups and meals, plus a cold case with fresh-prepared salads, pastas, entrées, dips and more.

• Specialty Retail: Locally sourced dairy, eggs, and pantry staples, alongside house-made nut butters, specialty jams, and a curated selection of tinned fish.

• Pizza: Our sourdough pizza program runs Wednesday–Sunday featuring full pies, slices, and mini calzones. Availability varies by day and specials change weekly!

Sourdough Pizza

Based at Atticus Market - 771 Orange St.

The pizza program at Atticus Market is an extension of our bakery’s mission: utilizing long-fermentation and 100% regional grains to create a distinct New Haven style. Our dough undergoes a 48-to-72-hour fermentation process, resulting in a crust that is highly digestible, deeply flavorful, and features our signature sourdough char.

• The Ingredients: We source stone-ground flour from Northeast mills and top our pies with artisanal meats and seasonal ingredients from Connecticut farms .

• The Style: Servign up “New Haven-ish” style pies - A hybrid of traditional New Haven "apizza" and naturally leavened artisan dough, known for its airy rim (cornicione) and crisp base.

• The Offerings: Available as full 14" pies during evening service and by the slice during the day. Our menu also features mini calzones and panuozzo—Italian sandwich-style pockets made from the same sourdough base.