Meet Tracy Devine, Owner of the Cosmic Omelet

When Tracy Devine bought an existing resturant  in 2003 called the Smoking Cafe, she had an immediate problem to solve. The Connecticut General Assembly had already passed a smoking ban for restaurants that took effect in a few months, and many of the regular customers were smokers. She won them over and created the where food is "out of this world" and where people come for the food and conversation.

Timothy Becker: When did you purchase your business?

Tracy Devine: It was in 2003. It wasn't really a business anymore. It was called the Smoking Cafe and the State Legislature had just passed smoking prohibition legislation for restaurants. As a business owner – thank God. Even smokers don't want to eat in a cloud of smoke.

Timothy Becker: You had a plan for that October when the smoking ban went into effect?

Tracy Devine: We had one last smoke-in. On September 30, 2003 we stayed open late and had a DJ so that smokers could say goodby. We closed for a day so that we could scrub the nicotine off the walls and we  opened as the Cosmic Omelet.

Timothy Becker: Was it difficult to start over from scratch?

Tracy Devine: We started with no bankroll and we have invested all our profits back into the business. Our biggest asset has been word of mouth. We couldn't afford to advertise. We are set back from the road and don't have a street sign. People still are surprised to find us for the first time.

Timothy Becker: You normally have a waiting line on the weekend?

Tracy Devine: The wait can be up to one and a half hours. I am surprised that people are willing to wait. Our biggest challenge is the size of our kitchen. When our expansion is complete, the waiting time will be reduced.

Timothy Becker: Tell me about your expansion plan?

Tracy Devine: The laundry next door went out of business last fall. I leased the space and I started planning our expansion. Our kitchen will be more than double the current size. Our big goal is function. We have never had a prep area. We will also expand the seating from 50 to 90 seats. Also in the plan is expanding into the old music makers academy behind us with a gift shop and art gallery.

Timothy Becker: What menu items are the most popular?

Tracy Devine: The staples are always popular, like our number one: two eggs, meat, hash browns, and toast. The cosmic omelets all have cream cheese. Tiffany's cosmic omelet has tomato, red onions cilantro, cream cheese and cheddar cheese. It is like a salsa without the hot spice. The salsa is inside the omelet. One of the big sellers is the “cosmic cloud nine,” which is an omelet with turkey, bacon, tomato, and cream cheese.

Timothy Becker: What is the mural on the back wall all about?

Tracy Devine: The mural was done in 2005 during our first renovation. There were six people that helped paint the constellations. The names of the artists are hidden within the mural. Kyle Mankus painted the front window. His original art hangs throughout the restaurant. Kyle also cooks three to four days a week.

Timothy Becker: What's next for the Omelte?

Tracy Devine: My sister Tiffany who has been with me  since day one, will become a partner in the restaurant. I like the idea of people like me having the opportunity to own their own business. I would like to have two or three Cosmic Omelets some day in the future.

Timothy Becker: What makes the “Omelet “ unique?

Tracy Devine: There is no generation gap here. People come here to talk. Everybody knows everybody here.