By Sarah Opdahl

“You never know where life is going to take you,” Marc Jayson said, going on to say, “this March will be 40 years since I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, and I never could have considered the path my career has taken me.” Following a handful of years working in top-tier restaurants, Jayson spent the past three decades as the owner behind New Fairfield’s beloved sweet-treat destination, The Goodie Shoppe. At the end of an era, Jayson is ready to leave the bakery behind and will pass it along to a fellow carb expert and enthusiast, Mihill Dushi, who comes to the shop following his dreams.

Jayson will be “returning to my roots, bbq catering” and looks forward to using a barbecue “rig” for special events. He has spent the last several months working side-by-side with Dushi to prepare for the handover. He said of their time together that Dushi “has learned the way we do things here…I have no doubt things will continue on very well.”

A young and ambitious baker, Dushi comes to the business having loved working at Uncle Matt’s Bakery and Cafe in Sandy Hook and Scratch Baking in Milford, following his formal culinary education at Lincoln Tech. “Ever since I’ve stepped foot in a bake shop I have fallen in love with the work and the camaraderie that you build with your fellow bakers,” he said. A Newtown resident, he credits his high school teacher Lori Hoagland as his inspiration for entering the culinary world. Overarchingly, he said, “I have always enjoyed working in bakeries. I always saw them as an integral part in any community and I am excited to be providing a service to the people of the New Fairfield community.”

The bakery’s offering have shifted incrementally over the years, Jayson pointed out, saying, “people’s tastes have changed to more healthy choices in food, especially breads, whole grain and sourdough breads have taken hold…However, the old-fashioned goodies like black and whites and crusty italian beads will always be in demand.” Ready to offer all of The Goodie Shoppe’s favorites, Dushi is also “excited for the opportunity to grow and build off of the work Marc has put in.” He happily shared, “I want to make sure the transition of ownership happens seamlessly, and the customers who frequent the Shoppe are happy. I do have some ideas of items to add on that would mesh well with the current menu, but I don’t want to get too ahead of myself. I am going to take things one step at a time, but I’m super excited for what the future of The Goodie Shoppe holds.”

Jayson reflected that “the relationships I have made here, in these many years with local patrons and staff is irreplaceable,” including a “parents” group, regulars, and his long-time staff members. He is proud of having employed scores of young teens, “the hundred or so Goodie Girls that have been employed and grew up in the bakery has been extremely rewarding…Many are bringing their children in for goodies. That’s what I’ll miss the most.” He fondly reflected over the past thirty years at the bakery, the founding of which was the mid-1960s, “I would like to thank all of my patrons for believing in us, through the good times and the crazy covid times. We have kept steadfast in the quality and variety of our baked goods. And our coffee and ice creams. Never compromising quality for cost.  I know they appreciate it.” 

Dushi shared that he is “excited to be my own boss and the freedoms that come with it, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified. There’s a lot to step up to and a lot that I am going to be responsible for.” He went on, “I am blessed to have such a powerful support system around me. From my family and friends to The Goodie Shoppe staff and customers, everyone is on my side and want to see me do well. With support like this I find it easier to keep going and I see no other option besides success.” He plans to continue employing young staff for the Shoppe, “I think it’s important to provide a safe place for young people to grow strong work ethics, and it would be an absolute pleasure to provide that for the community,” he said, going on to say, “I want to be a good role model for the youth, and to show them that if you are passionate about something and are willing to do the work then there is a slice of the cake for you. Pun definitely intended.”

Though Dushi was born in Long Island, and moved to Newtown when he was a toddler, he is a first-generation citizen, as his family immigrated to the United States in the 1990s, fleeing conflict in Kosovo. Inspired by family members to take on this venture, he shared, “Ever since they have come to this great country, we have done nothing but work. From a pizza place in Queens, to electrical contracting, renting out apartments, and so many others…I am proud to be continuing a legacy of hard work and integrity that my family has instilled into me my whole life.”

With the New Year and the change of ownership in place, Marc thanked the New Fairfield community for the many happy years in business here, “it has been a wonderful ride, and I would not have changed a thing.” Dushi, on the other hand, is more than thrilled to move forward and welcome patrons into this new chapter of The Goodie Shoppe—stop by and say hello.