The History of our Mystic Depot

In 1858, the New Haven, New London and Stonington Railroad opened train service from the town of Stonington to the city of Groton. After being acquired by the New York, Providence and Boston Railroad, a wood structure, like those still existing at West Mystic and Noank, was constructed. The newly built station was destroyed by fire during a July 4, celebration in 1866. The burned structure was quickly replaced.

After nearly 40 years of service, the New Haven Railroad constructed a new station in 1905. The station is primarily wood on a brown brick base, with Georgian Revival architectural elements such as Palladian windows on the east and west facades. It is clad in wood shingles, which had become popular in New England in the late 19th century due to its rich colonial history. The eastern half of the station was a waiting room for passengers, while the western half was a baggage room with few windows.  The remaining structure of the 1866 station was repurposed as a freight house.

The station was built with a lengthy gabled canopy which stretched both directions along the platform. The canopy was destroyed in September 1938 by the 1938 New England hurricane, which saw sustained winds over 150 mph; the station was severely damaged but repaired. The Mystic Depot station was used as a model for the American Flyer toy train station beginning in the mid-20th century and lasting over 50 years.

1n 1971, the station fell on hard times and into grave disrepair. The structure was in such poor condition it was closed to the public. In 1976, local residents raised $91,000 (approximately $426,000 in 2021 dollars) to repair the structure. Work started in late 1976 and was completed in April 1977.

The station operated as an active station for the next 38 years until it was closed in March 2015, as it was again in disrepair.

In 2015, Sherrie and David Crompton developed a particular interest in the preservation, restoration and revitalization of the Amtrak Mystic train station

at 2 Roosevelt Avenue, Mystic, CT, which had fallen into complete disrepair. Along with their son Ian Ponting, they restored the building and station, which is now the home of the Mystic Depot Roasters “MDR” Café.

The owners of Mystic Depot Roasters are local Stonington residents who and operate own several successful companies in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Completely renovated from top to bottom, the Crompton’s maintained the historic colors, wainscoting, woodworks and appeal of the 1905 structure, while updating its infrastructure. Today, MDR stands as a testament to the residents that erected her at the turn of the last century.

MDR has found a home in the Mystic community, becoming a local favorite for coffee, food, and fresh baked goods!

In 2018, MDR was recognized as Connecticut Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Winner as the “Best Breakfast in Connecticut”. “BEST BREAKFAST” – 2018: Connecticut Magazine Readers Choice Winner. Recognition well deserved and maintained. – Picture of Mystic Depot Roasters, Mystic – TripAdvisor

In 2018, MDR was recognized as Connecticut Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Winner for “Best Coffee Shop in Connecticut”!

In 2019, Only in Your State rated MDR as one of the top places to visit in Ct. Mystic Depot Roasters: Connecticut’s Beautiful Train Depot Restaurant (onlyinyourstate.com)

Mystic Depot Roasters inside view

In February 2019, the Westerly Sun wrote “If “Cheers” could be a coffee shop instead of a bar, it would be Mystic Depot Roasters.

Similar to the popular TV show, the atmosphere that owners Sherrie and David Crompton, of Mystic, have created in their coffee shop is based on knowing, liking and serving their customers. The shop has been operating since September in the Mystic train depot at 2 Roosevelt Ave.

“It’s about being there for people and that’s what we want to do — you’re there for us, we’ll be there for you,” said Sherri, 52, who was seated at one of the shop’s round tables on Thursday in the long, rectangular space the couple refurbished as an antique train station.”

Sherrie’s son, Ian Ponting, 24, one of the cooks, said the staff knows the customers’ preferences well.

“I think it’s like coming home and getting a fresh, home-cooked meal here,” he said, emerging from the shop’s narrow kitchen, located along the wall facing the railroad tracks. “We know how they like their food. We love it. It’s a wonderful experience for everyone here — the customers and the people that are cooking.”

Beautiful decorations capture the eye, while the air is filled with the smell of baked goods, roasted coffee and items cooked to order on our grill.