Being a new owner always carries the temptation to change things, but Frankel quickly realized what kept this cozy breakfast and lunch eatery in business for 70 years was not a lot of “changes”. It was the consistency of the food, the staff, the charm and the personal touches that founder Mort Keller originated and Bernie and Florence Heines, then Mick Michaelson continued with the original concept and a majority of the original menu.
“So I came into Sugar n’ Spice thinking about what I could do to improve the customers’ experience – let me rephrase that – what the staff and the regulars who have been coming here for decades would allow me to do,” Frankel noted.
So Frankel bought new flatware, plates, salt & pepper shakers, water glasses and pitchers. He ordered new coffee cups with graphics that pay homage to the Sugar n’ Spice lineage of “caretakers.” He replaced the worn-out counter seats with new retro-style seating, adding more space for customer comfort, then refurbished the original stools to provide seating for waiting customers.
“I’m a big believer in ‘just cuz it’s old doesn’t mean you throw it away.’” Frankel added. He spruced up, thoroughly cleaned up and fixed up all the stuff that hadn’t been attended to for a while. But he was wisely counseled by the wait staff and cooks – some who have been with Sugar n’ Spice for over 15 years – not to fuss with the food.
