HALLELUJAH! The bakery Gods have shined on me! Tonnie's Minis has opened in Harlem. The "biggest loser contestant" inside of me is overjoyed! This joint is about 50 yards from my front door. My dentist and general practitioner, on the other hand, aren't as happy! Thank God the gym is only two blocks away.
Tonnie's Minis is located on the garden level of a renovated brownstone on Lenox Avenue near the southeast corner of 123 Street. The bright orange awning lets you know you've arrive. You step down into a small courtyard, then enter the store.
The store is bright airy and long. The store looks small from the entry but there is a small area with window seating in the back. There is a door off the back that lets you out onto the Garden. The entire garden level has been paved over and in the next few weeks the Garden will be weatherize with a covered tent or hanging covering and heated. I hope they have seating in the front as well.
As I was talking to the staff and checking the place out about 10 / 15 people came in to see the "new" store on Lenox. The knowledgeable and super friendly staff offered samples to every customer. After sampling a cupcake most people made an immediate purchase. Everyone left with a smile.
I'm a cupcake snob. The store has been open 6 days and I've stopped in eight times already. My favorite cupcake - at this time - is the yellow cupcake and white frosting. The cake itself was the perfect size, super moist and had an unexpected hint of pineapple. The frosting was light, airy and sweet, yet not to overpowering and was the perfect compliment to the cake. Add a glass of milk or a scoop of Ice Cream and it's "on an poppin'" as some folks say!
I had no idea this was a chain, but apparently the flagship store in lower Manhattan has a huge following. I predict the Harlem Location will soon have many followers as Tonnie's fills a gap left by Wimps (on 125 street). For those of us who live in the 120's in central Harlem, the closest bakeries are on 116 and 139 street. Now that Tonnie's has arrived, let the Bakery wars start!
As a person who embraces small businesses, Tonnie's Minis is definitely a plus for the neighborhood.
To learn more about Tonnie Rozier, Founder and CEO of Tonnie's Minis, check out this documentary produced by NYU Tisch School of the Arts in Spring 2008.
The official grand opening is October 26. Those of you in Metro New York, be sure to check out Tonnie's and let me know your favorite cupcake.
Tonnie's Minis
264 Lenox Avenue
264 Lenox Avenue
Harlem, NY 10027
(212) 831-5292
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