Lorca Coffee Bar

Change history

1. Ownership ChangeDate unknownVerified

   Lorca Coffee Bar now part of restaurateur John Gazzola's Bedford Street group

   As of a March/April 2026 Stamford Advocate report on John Gazzola buying Tigin Irish Pub (175 Bedford St), Gazzola was identified as also owning Towne Parlor Pizza and Pints, Bedford Hall Craft Kitchen and Bar, and Lorca Coffee Bar in Stamford. This differs from earlier coverage (2020 and prior), which identified Lorca as a family-run business owned and operated by Leyla Dam Jenkins, indicating the cafe changed hands at some point between 2020 and 2026. The exact date of the Lorca ownership transfer could not be independently confirmed.

   Why this matters: If Lorca is now run under different ownership (Gazzola's small restaurant group) than the Leyla Dam Jenkins-era business described in older reviews and press, the day-to-day operation, menu, or vibe described in pre-2026 reviews may no longer be accurate.

   Sources

   • Stamford Advocate
   • CT Bites — March 7, 2020
2. RenovationMarch 2020Verified

   Lorca Coffee Bar expanded from a 16-seat storefront to a ~40-seat cafe

   Owner Leyla Dam Jenkins completed a renovation and expansion of Lorca's original Bedford Street space, growing it from a 16-seat storefront (described as 'the size of a large walk-in closet') to roughly 40 seats, with a kitchen triple the previous size enabling in-house baking and an expanded breakfast/hot food menu.

   Why this matters: Reviews describing Lorca as tiny, cramped, or with a very limited menu likely predate this 2020 expansion, which significantly enlarged the seating and food offerings.

   Sources

   • CT Bites — March 7, 2020