WILMINGTON — Opening up a second Eternal Sunshine Cafe in Leland is its owner’s latest step toward his franchise dreams.
When Michael Pellegrino was in sixth grade, he created a full restaurant menu for a school project. By 23, he opened Eternal Sunshine Cafe on Eastwood Road with the help of his mom in 2013. With plans to open up his second location in Leland locked in, Pellegrino is closer to his goal to open five.
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Fittingly, it was a longtime regular of the cafe and Brunswick County native who helped show Pellegrino around Leland, convincing him of the area’s opportunity. The regular, Donald Sneeden, Jr., said he’s never sent an email in his life, but knows a good breakfast when he eats one.
Pellegrino was in the process of working out a deal to open up in Harrington Village before Sneeden connected him to the owner of the building the now twice-shuttered Blue Star Kitchen and Bar operated out of. Located off Village Road, Pellegrino hopes to bring Eternal Sunshine Cafe’s signature yellow mugs to Leland in August.
“This was a life-changing deal,” Pellegrino said. “Because of Don.”
Sunshine on Village
After two years of scoping out the competition in the area — or lack thereof — Pellegrino is ready to answer calls to provide a locally-owned option.
“People have been telling me, you need to get to Leland, there’s nobody out there,” he said.
By August, both location’s menus will undergo minor enhancements. Eggs benedict-heavy staples will remain, with two additions: a chorizo and shishito pepper benedict and the tiger; a poached shaved beef, cream, horseradish, and hollandaise benedict.
“My whole business model was providing a unique niche that you couldn’t get anywhere else. And that’s eggs benedict,” he said.
Fresh-baked banana and brioche bread will also stick around, used as bases in the cafe’s french toast options. Or, customers can try out both options for a steal: The cafe’s ongoing Tuesday through Thursday special offers a $1 any style french toast or pancake with the purchase of any benedict.
The Leland location will keep the same hours, open daily between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., opening at 8 a.m. on Sunday. It’s also looking to obtain an alcohol permit to continue serving breakfast beers, afternoon beers, and specialty mimosas.
Eternal Sunshine Cafe even recently added a Mexican-style blood mary (minus the vodka) in light beer brought to the cafe by its lead server, Jacqueline Neal.
“It’s about pride and passion,” Pellegrino said. He picks up the key to 117 Village Road Friday.
Send tips and comments to Johanna Ferebee at johanna@localvoicemedia.com
