Jitters Café & Lounge aims to launch in early December at 142 Bank Street, in the ground-floor corner unit of the newly opened, long-awaited Burlington Square. Co-owner Tim LaPrade, a University of Vermont alum, recently celebrated the 13th anniversary of his original Jitters Café in Melrose, Mass. With the Vermont location, LaPrade is expanding, both geographically and with a broader menu of food and drink through the evening.
LaPrade, 44, co-owns the Burlington Jitters with three local partners, including George Martin and hands-on operating co-owner Sierra Beardsworth, who was assistant manager at EB Strong’s Prime Steakhouse on Church Street. LaPrade said he was looking to expand the Jitters brand when the Burlington opportunity arose.
“I have ties up there and also have people up there who can help me,” he noted.
The daytime menu at the new Jitters will replicate that of the original, with pastries, breakfast sandwiches, espresso drinks, panini, deli sandwiches and salads. New in Burlington will be a small-plates evening menu with a full bar. LaPrade said Beardsworth is hiring a team, including a chef who will help develop that menu, which is likely to include dishes such as spinach-artichoke dip, sliders and charcuterie boards.
LaPrade acknowledged the challenges of doing business in downtown Burlington but said he has faith that the new project will help “bring it back.” He and his Jitters co-owners look forward to being one of the anchors of Burlington Square, he said, and “providing a spark to get more people walking around the city.”
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4 2025.
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