Jim Fair
Neile Bramlett and his wife, Frankie Hendrix, have partnered taking over ownership of the Chocolate Toad located at 224 Trade Street.
Jim Fair
The Chocolate Toad's menu continues to offer a variety of sandwiches from the past menu but is adding on a selection for a more demographic business and family clientele.
Neile Bramlett and his wife, Frankie Hendrix, have taken ownership of Chocolate Toad at 224 Trade Street.
“We’re experimenting with our breakfast menu and investigating beer and wine to be served here,” Bramlett said. “We would like this someday to be a dessert destination.”
Bramlett said the marketing plan includes adjustments and additions to the menu, adding outdoor dining with two tables, offering full-service coffee – iced coffee, frappuccino, espresso and cold coffees.
“We want to capture the people shopping and attract the business community here,” he said. “Not everybody knows where we are.” It sits in the back and between Chelsea’s and Smith and James.
Bramlett and Hendrix own the Cork and Bean Coffee Bar in Duncan on Main Street. “My wife is a foodie at heart and loves making people happy,” Bramlett said. “I like managing the restaurant and the food costs. It’s something we enjoy doing together.”
All of previous owner Sheila Springfield’s recipes remain. “Everything people use to love about Chocolate Toad is here,” said Bramlett. “We know how to make all the cakes and pastries.”
Springfield and Hendrix developed a friendship through the years and Springfield’s retirement gave Hendrix and Bramlett to add the Chocolate Toad to their restaurant portfolio.
The hours will remain 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. “We will plan to adjust them with the breakfast menu when that happens,” Bramlett said.
The nook will purposely not have TVs. “I am still on the fence with Wi-Fi,” said Bramlett. “We want the people to concentrate on socializing, game playing and feel what we’re all about.”
One major change is the inclusion of Joe Everson’s art in the meeting room. A series of Hollywood icons grace the room with Ed Wynn, Alfred Hitchcock, Gregory Peck and a soon-to-be Lucille Ball. Louis Armstrong is outside the room dominating a wall above a table. Everson has a studio in Taylors.
Military, retired and active, and first responders receive a 10 percent discount.
Call 864-419-5600 or visit here.