Business

Search Results

Close Previous Now showing: of Next

Previous Next Close

Get the latest news updates

• Like us on Facebook

• Follow us on Twitter

Related Photos

• The Local Yolkal Cafe is slated to open this spring. Contributed image

  

Discussion

Add a comment on this story

March 6, 2013

Upscale downtown brunch spot fits The Baldwin

Kyle Collins The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Wed Mar 06, 2013, 04:56 PM EST

MILLEDGEVILLE — Careers at a high-end car dealership and Hyatt Hotels gave Cliff Charnes plenty of practice providing customers a quality, upscale experience. This spring, downtown Milledgeville adds a breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant to its resume.

The Local Yolkal Café, conceptualized by Charnes and his wife Jennifer, utilizes The Baldwin's street level retail space at 117 W. Hancock St.

A long time Savannah resident, Charnes and his family fell in love with the area and Lake Sinclair over multiple vacation trips. Now a lake resident, the Local Yolkal owner said he noticed downtown lacked a family breakfast restaurant complementing others specializing in lunch and dinner.

Savannah brunch locations incorporated into the downtown atmosphere were a family favorite.

“It's the type of restaurant we like to go to,” Charnes said. “There was nowhere to do that.”

The Baldwin, owned by Frank Pendergast, turned out to be the perfect fit. Sitting several stories high, the revamped building incorporates higher end loft apartments.

Two storefront spaces on the ground level coexist within the unique vision. Charnes said The Baldwin brought the restaurant concept full circle.

“Last year, we were here and saw the building under construction. It's really what prompted the idea,” Charnes said. “When I saw what (Pendergast) was doing here I said man that's a good place for something like this. I felt like we needed to be right here on this strip.”

The Local Yolkal Café will serve breakfast classics and more upscale faire from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Together with omelets, pancakes and waffles, the new downtown food player brings numerous Eggs Benedict variations.

“We want to offer the freshest and custom made cooked to order food,” the new owner said.

Quality control is important to the brand. The brunch café will employ seven to 10.

“I'm going to look for local talent. It's not a difficult to prepare menu,” Charnes said. “I want somebody that understands the atmosphere and upscale food we want to present to the public.”

Restaurant color will mimic a sunrise. Wood booths and side tables give flexible, comfortable seating for 80.

A bright, clean ambiance is the objective.

Charnes wants students and residents to enjoy the restaurant.

“The students are going to be a big part of the business, but I think there is a local crowd here that would love something like this,” Charnes said.

The Local Yolkal did utilize Georgia College for its logo design. One student created two usable branding logos, earning them a $500 thank you.

Working with local resources to give back and not be absentee owners resonates.

“We want to be part of a community,” Charnes said. “We don't just want to run a business.”

Slowed by the holiday season, restaurant construction has picked up steam towards a tentative mid-March opening. The Local Yolkal Café eyes an exciting springtime ribbon cutting.

Text Only

Copyright 2013 The Union Recorder. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Business

• Milledgeville Coca-Cola 100 years strong

  The Coca-Cola Company holds on to history. Southeast territories within the six-state Coca-Cola Bottling Company United region remain defined by wagon wheel franchises put together after the 1902 start in Birmingham, Ala.

   

  May 23, 2013 1 Photo

• Duo flexes to inspire, motivate

  Chris Dixon and Codee Guyton decided it was time for a transformation, not only in their health, but lifestyle as well. Two years later, the couple has made tremendous progress along their fitness journey, and are now influencing others to be the best version of themselves through their motivational gym apparel — Flex Till You’re Famous (FTYF).

  May 17, 2013 1 Photo

• Hobby Lobby part of N. Columbia corridor growth

  In recent months, North Columbia Street business openings by Petsense, LongHorn Steakhouse, Firehouse Subs, Hibachi Express and Hillcrest Urgent Care signify positive Milledgeville momentum. 

  May 10, 2013 1 Photo

• Seafood market owner marks expansion, overcomes adversity

  The Market Basket, a fresh seafood market located on Allen Memorial Drive, is more than just a successful business for owner Natacha Knox. 

  May 9, 2013 1 Photo

• Arts and crafts store moves downtown

  A distinctive downtown Milledgeville business provides arts and crafts enthusiasts a safe haven where affordability, uniqueness and a quality items rule.

  May 2, 2013 1 Photo

• Tidal Wave presents fifth charity fundraiser Friday

  Vehicle owners who pull into Tidal Wave Auto Spa today are in for more than just a car wash. From 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. all Tidal Wave locations, including the local business on North Columbia Street, will hold their annual charity fundraising event. 

  April 25, 2013 1 Photo

• Local store-owner expands product, service offerings

  Milledgeville native Brian Edwin Swanson’s career led him to working with the largest mobile network operator in the United States before he decided to begin offering customers similar services at a more affordable prices.

   

  April 18, 2013 1 Photo

• Southside tractor supplier still strong

   

  Billy Brack’s Southside Equipment Company stands as a true iconic Milledgeville storefront. Starting in 1983 and still going strong 30 years later, Southside Equipment fills lawn, garden and tractor needs on the south side of town.

   

  April 12, 2013 1 Photo

• Blossoms Florist blooms in downtown Milledgeville

  Mother-daughter duo Sabrah Braddy and Brandy Hudson-Adams have seen their full service florist business pick up during the past three years.

  April 5, 2013 1 Photo

• NEXus Pain Center offers relief to Milledgeville residents

   

  If you've been living with pain and are in need of a remedy then you are going to love The NEXus Pain Center. NEXus Medical Holdings has expanded its services to Baldwin County with a new NEXus Pain Center located on Fieldstone Drive. 

   

  March 28, 2013 1 Photo

• More Business Headlines

© 2013 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. · CNHI Classified Advertising Network · CNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2013. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope. Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
Privacy Policy | AP News Registry privacy policy
Terms and Conditions
Advertiser Index

Events by eviesays.com

The Union Recorder 165 Garrett Way Milledgeville, GA 31061