Toni Marie Cox sits down with me, albeit briefly, in her new
space—a vintage-inspired, art deco style, former jewelry shop and optometrist
office—that is now the second home of
Toni Patisserie & Café. By adding another location to her flagship store,
which she began 16 years ago in Hinsdale, Toni hopes to capture more of the
downtown crowd—both for special occasion cake orders and for café treats,
espresso, and gourmet lunches throughout the daily rush hours.
But the expansion came with a hefty price tag—though Toni
wanted to keep much of the original molding and design, a full kitchen and
counter had to be installed. She also had to hire quite a few new employees
(many of which are part-time for now), making her an employer of around 60
people.
