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French Toast Bites stand is opening at Spruce Street Harbor Park

Charisse McGill got a lucky break when a food-vending spot opened at the summer venue.

Charisse McGill's stand at Spruce Street Harbor Park specializes in French toast bites and bacon on a stick.
Charisse McGill's stand at Spruce Street Harbor Park specializes in French toast bites and bacon on a stick.Read moreCOURTESY FRENCH TOAST BITES

Your nose knows when Charisse McGill is working.

Her stand, which has popped up at malls and festivals over the years, sells French toast bites with toppings (both regular and vegan), bacon on a stick, and French toast shakes made with vanilla ice cream and her French toast spice.

French Toast Bites by Lokal Artisan Foods — even the name is a mouthful — opens Friday, July 17 in a converted shipping container at Spruce Street Harbor Park at Penn’s Landing, where it’s occupying the former pod of HipCityVeg across from the floating barge.

McGill’s story has taken a few twists and turns. A Temple University grad, McGill, 38, is the former director of special events at Valley Forge Military Academy who in her spare time set up and ran the Lansdale Farmers Market. In 2018, she quit VFMA and — with an investment from her now-14-year-old daughter, Madison — opened a French toast pop-up near City Hall during the holiday season.

That led to stands at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets in Montgomery County, followed by the Bronx Night Market in New York, Piazza Pod Park in Northern Liberties, Made in America on the Parkway, and back to the holiday market. All the while, she taught entrepreneurship classes at Montgomery County Community College and pursued an MBA in food marketing at St. Joseph’s University; she has one class to go. She developed a French toast seasoning for retail.

All the while, McGill hustled for backing and income. She set up a takeout and delivery business out of the Northeast Philadelphia location of the Better Box, also a Black-owned food business. She became the first paid vendor on the Black and Mobile delivery service. She was one of 60 recipients of a grant from Black People Eats. She raised all of her goal through a community Kiva loan, and was awarded a Magic Johnson forgivable loan. She won a grant from the PA 30 Day Fund.

When the coronavirus forced the cancellation of outdoor events, McGill faced an uncertain future. “Then Spruce Street Harbor Park called,” she said. She helped champion and became the site’s first Black and female-owned business.

Opening-day hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday