WILTON — The Baker’s Market Cafe received unanimous approval from the town’s Planning Board Thursday to proceed with a plan to move into the Bass Hill Bed and Breakfast at 19 Prospect St.

Elizabeth Shibles, owner of the Baker’s Market, closed the cafe at 285 Main St. after building owner Matt Trundy decided not to renew her lease, she said. Trundy has other plans for the building, which was renovated in the spring of 2010 for the cafe’s opening in June that year.

Bed and breakfast owner Anita Wright, who opened the historic home last fall, offered Shibles the opportunity to move up the hill and continue to offer light sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch.

The home built for Bass Shoe founder George Henry Bass in 1890 provides a beautiful setting for attracting visitors and perhaps holding seminars, retreats and things like that. Wright told the board about ideas and plans being considered under the new arrangement, including a promotion tied to the history of the town. A lot of ideas are coming up, she added.

Board members said they were supportive of the arrangement as something good for Wilton, but they needed to consider whether the cafe could be part of the bed and breakfast. Few businesses are allowed in a residential-one zone, where the home is located, according to town ordinances, Code Enforcement Officer Paul Montague said.

Businesses such as bed and breakfasts, caterers and convenience stores are allowed in the zone, but not restaurants, he said. The ordinance is not really specific, he added.

The Baker’s Market is licensed as a convenience store by the Department of Agriculture. As Shibles buys baked items from area certified bakers to sell as a vendor not a bakery, board members felt it fell within the criteria depicted in the town ordinance.

The Baker’s Market will continue to serve a light lunch. It won’t be a restaurant but similar to other convenience stores with some seating like Rick’s Market and Hometown Market.

There is only seating for 16 and the house has 10 parking spaces, enough to cover one space for each of four rooms leased for the bed and breakfast and one space needed for every three seats of the Baker’s Market.

Abutting neighbors on Prospect Street either called board members or voiced their approval of the idea at the meeting.

A partial board, present at the meeting. including acting Chairman Peter Chamberlain, Doug Hiltz, Angela Werner, Cheryl Mosher and alternates Maxine Collins and Michael LeClair granted the use permit contingent on any other state licensing required.

The new venture is slated to start on Dec. 1, Wright said after the meeting.

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