Remember When

This entire set-​up has a European flair — which is a great asset for Torrington.
I love the retail store part. There is so much to choose from. The owner has excellent taste and does a fabulous job of editing her collection of items for sale. If you want something unique and/​or beautiful, you will find it here. The prices are very fair, too. The selection is vast, and everything is so beautiful.
The business concept of combining an ice cream parlor and café, The Ritz Café, inside the store is absolutely charming. It reminds me of the old department store restaurants from gentler days of another era where my Mother used to take me as a child.
For the longest time, The Ritz Café was my «go to» spot in town for lunch. However, during the past six months I have noticed the quality of food and the quality of service both diminishing. This all seems to coincide with the departure of my favorite server+ who was really exceptional at her job.
Here’s the most recent bad experience: Yesterday I ordered a grilled cheese, and it was served lukewarm without so much as a smile when the server delivered it, and the cheese wasn’t melted. Very disappointing all the way around.
Earlier this year some friends and I ate upstairs in the Crystal Room and my portabella mushroom entrée was slimy. Both texture and taste were not great.
I love this shop, and the downstairs café and the fancier restaurant upstairs that requires reservations are great additions to Torrington. But I have found the quality of food and service to both be an issue ever since last December. I so want to LOVE every single thing about this place and its food once again. Please bring Tatiana back. I believe she was a great asset for you. (No, I am not related to her or a friend of hers; she simply did her job very well and made a great impression on me.)
Finally, a wee suggestion: Maybe change up the menu a bit. Replace the portabella mushroom entrée with something else for vegetarians. The menu’s basically been the same since you opened. It would be nice to see some changes happen this summer that incorporate locally-​grown fruits and veggies.

One of my absolute favorite shops for so so many reasons… First, I am OBSESSED with vintage, particularly Art-​Deco and Mid-​Century, jewelry which is beautifully displayed and organized in rows of carefully curated display cases making shopping this enormous collection a much more manageable endeavor. Amazingly, Karen, the owner, is not only extremely knowledgeable and helpful but knows where just about every little thing is at all times! While the jewels are my primary target, the lamps and vintage clothing, especially the hats and furs, are to die.
I have been shopping here for many years, as have numerous friends I’ve sent in, and am always surprised by the treasures I discover. Since moving to NYC, I long to make more frequent visits as even the city does not boast stores of this quality in terms of selection, value and expertise. I have also had several pieces repaired — including a Robert Lee Morris belt buckle — all of which are now in even better condition than they had been originally.
Other reviewers have mentioned that the prices are either high or unfair and I strongly disagree. Clearly they do not understand the value or quality of this type of merchandise. Karen carefully selects, repairs and restores costume jewelry from many well-​known jewelers as well as anonymous original pieces — the likes of which are often cheaply replicated and may be difficult for some to distinguish from the real deal. Trust me, it is worth it to by an authentic piece that you will either have for many years or be able to resell at a later point.

Strange hybrid (vintage clothing/​jewelry and lamps) that somehow works, probably because most everything in the store is Art Deco or a little later.
Clothing, hats, and (tons of) jewelry are in fabulous condition, but the prices reflect that. If you’re looking for a fedora or a ladies hat to go with your vintage Chanel, this is the place. I’m not sure where you’d wear it, but check out the long green velvet cape in the front window. Very Gothic, or Jane Eyre, or fairy princess.
Some furniture, books, and other stuff, but the main attractions are the dozens of unusual fixtures hanging from the ceiling. There are also floor lamps. One-​of-​a-​kind stuff. But, again, the prices give you pause; a pair of Deco milk glass pendants were $ 895.
Lamp repair seems to be a major thing here, and they’ll also do appraisals (I don’t know if that’s just for jewelry or what.)
Fun to browse, but I haven’t been tempted to buy. The guy repairing a lamp in the back said hi but didn’t offer any help. And I think this is the kind of place where you need help.

Bizarre store, IMO. I suppose if you like antique (vintage, my fiancé corrects me) clothing and items, then this is your place.