Toffee Caramel Latte from Battery Park Book Exchange
Asheville’s Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar shares their famous Toffee Caramel Latte, also known as the “Carl Sandburg.” A sophisticated coffee drink in a plush, friendly environment.
“Necessity is the mother of invention.” We don’t know who first made this profound statement, but looking around, we know it to be true.
Over the last few years of economic trial, I have watched family after family reinvent their lives and move forward into new business ventures. Instead of wallowing in life’s hardships, they dare to believe their situation could be different… better.
Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar, open every day, 11 am to 11 pm.
Thomas and Donna Wright are examples of supreme ingenuity. After Thomas’s long-term career in chemicals took a plummet, he stepped back to contemplate his passions. Thomas loved books, specifically vintage books. In an age of digital readers, was there a market for this? Thomas wondered if his love for vintage books could be mingled with another passion, wine.
He set out to create a business that incorporated both, providing a warm welcoming space for people to relax with a good book and a glass of wine. In 2004 he opened his prototype storefront in Little Switzerland, North Carolina. After experimenting with the book selection and the atmosphere he wanted to create, he move to downtown Asheville in 2008, opening the Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar.
Thomas now houses approximately 60,000 books, focusing on vintage books, art and design, southern history, and cooking. Not all the books are vintage; the Battery Park Book Exchange does have a large selection of new books, but Thomas relishes in the fact that what he offers cannot be found in a super-store. His books are special.
Thomas has since moved the Battery Park Book Exchange a block south, into a more expansive space and has elaborated on the “Champagne Bar” element. He brought in colleague and former chef, Emily Krainik, to manage the Champagne Bar and create an affordable and interesting “grazing” menu to complement the beverage selection. The Wrights and Emily have worked hard to provide tasty snacks, high quality wines, and rich coffee drinks at a reasonable price. Thomas believes the vast wine market makes it possible to select good wines that fit the current economic climate.
The feel of Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar is what I personally love most about it. Its lush armchairs and warm lighting give it a moody, yet cozy quality. My husband and I often go there after dinner, to have a drink and enjoy company with friends. As a mid-thirties mom, I love having an elegant place I can hang out with my girlfriends and not worry about being hit on. This is no hipster bar; The Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar is a sophisticated lounge to mingle, read, and snack.
Has the Wright’s dive into the unknown paid off? Thomas says the locals come in for wine and the tourist come in for the books. The point being… they come. Good visitation is the key to any store-front business. Thomas is sensitive to the demands of his ever-growing clientele and has plans for further expansion. I’d say he’s swapped risk for reward.
Thomas’ humble advice, “Know when you’re lucky.” He explained his philosophy that sometimes we do all the right things, but the timing is off. Other times, everything simply lines up for you with the greatest of ease.
I agree with Thomas, but would like to add, it was not luck, but courage and wit, that opened the door.
Yield: 1
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Toffee Caramel Latte
The "Carl Sandburg" generously provided by Battery Park Book Exchange.
Ingredients:
2 shots espresso (4 Tb.)
6 oz. steamed milk (3/4 cup)
2/3 oz. toffee nut syrup (1 1/2 Tb.)
1/3 oz. caramel sauce (3/4 Tb.)
Whipped Cream and Caramel Sauce to Garnish
Directions:
Fill a 10 oz. mug with steamed milk and espresso.
Stir in the toffee syrup and caramel sauce.
Top with whipped cream and extra caramel sauce.
Villeroy & Boch Home Elements.
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51 Responses to “Toffee Caramel Latte from Battery Park Book Exchange”
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This place looks cool and this coffee drink: yum!
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I would love to grab one of those cozy chairs, a cup of that latte and a vintage book. All I’d need is a blanket
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Battery Park Book Exchange — November 30th, 2011 @ 8:55 pm
We have blankets. Come see us!
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This looks like the perfect thing to drink while cozy-ing up to a book!
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A perfect place, drink and idea!
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Wow! That is such a gorgeous spot. I could happily sit there all day, reading books and drinking these lovely lattes.
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Oh look at that gorgeous place…looks so cozy and inviting.
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I could stay there all day. and I love their never give up attitude!
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I’m usually not a big fan of toffee nut syrup. I wonder if there is a way to make it from scratch. I will have to say though. That Book Exchange is gorgeous!! I just want to curl up on that tufted couch with a hot beverage and a good book.
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Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence — October 17th, 2011 @ 9:13 am
PS. I just noticed the ginormous book coffee table. So cool!!
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What a cool place! And with this latte? I’d never leave.
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Um, can I please rent a corner in this space? I’ll wash dishes.
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What a perfect little hideaway!
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Another wonderful place to visit our next trip to Asheville. Yummmm.
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I truly love this concept. A good book, a great coffee..what could be better?
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beautiful place to spend the whole day!
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Oh my. I think I can almost taste this latte. Sounds delish!!! Thanks for sharing and love the book store. Gorgeous!
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I would love to be there.
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How I would love to curl up on one of those couches with a good book and this wonderful latte! Very inviting decor and great concept.
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The coffee looks wonderful.
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This place looks wonderful! We will be in Ashville in a few weeks and I may have to stop by. I don’t think I’ll tell my husband about it though. He LOVES book stores like this and I won’t be able to get him out.
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That coffee would be great about now! I love a good coffee house / book store. My husband would never leave until they kicked him out. Great photos!
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That coffee would be great about now! I love a good coffee house / book store. My husband would never leave until they kicked him out. Great photos!
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I’d start up my old coffee habit again for one of these delicious beauties! YUM.
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I would never want to leave that place, I’d be happy living among all those books.
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I’d love a place like that to stop in with friends. Love the atmosphere and the combination of wine and books!!
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Asheville is definitely on the list of places I would always love to visit. Have been there once and would love to back again and again. The vibrant culture, beautiful streets and restaurants like this one are a few reasons why I love the place. It reminds me a lot of San Francisco.
LOVE that latte recipe btw and I am sure it makes the place even more popular!
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What a gorgeous place! I wish I lived close to sit there and have one of those magical looking drinks.
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Gorgeous place:) And that toffee caramel latte look and sound deliciously great! Hope you have a wonderful week, Sommer
HUGS <3
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Looks so delicious.
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I could curl up on that caramel leather couch with a cup of that deliciousness and never ever leave.
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A nice place to relax and chit chat with friends.
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That would be an amazing place to sit and have coffee and conversation….thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for sharing such a great place, lovely up of joy!!
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I adore places like this. Wish we had more in Socal! Your photos are fabulous too!
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That is exactly the business I dream of! Good for them. Looks like a wonderful place. I am visiting it the next time I venture over to Asheville. The latte looks fabulous. Come visit. We have a terrific pumpkin panna cotta to share.
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Love this coffee and LOVE your photos!
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Oh my – looks so creamy and delicious! I would love one of those tomorrow morning. Check us out some time @ BloomEveryday.wordpress.com – we’d love to share some recipes of ours with you too.
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Wow..would love to have a cuppa with my favorite book! Such creamy and tempting latte.
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I want to stay there and never leave forever. Of course, surviving just on delicious cups of lattes
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This place looks like a place i NEED to be! That Latte looks so good! I may have to give BOTH a try soon, probably the Latte will come long before the trip!
Thanks for sharing!
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This looks heavenly and I am not even a coffee drinker. The bookstore looks even better. I would LOVE a place like that.
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what a gorgeous post! thanks, Spicy!
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What a cute place! It’s cold and dreary here today, I’d love to be there!
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Love this post!! This bookstore is now on my Must-Visit list when we are in Asheville the next time we visit my Father in law. Thanks for sharing. Btw….your pictures are beautiful!!
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UM YUM!!! This looks SO amazing
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