13 years later, wager looks to pay off for Toffino’s

For years, one popular restaurant counted on the Air Force base redevelopment. And now it looks as if they're about to see the benefits of that bet.

Toffino's Bakery banked on an old building and a faithful crowd to see them through the wait. They thought the wait would be a whole lot shorter than it ended up being. But, the clock is not about to strike twelve.

Last year, Phil Pecora showed News 13 how he took a risk on a restaurant location, that to say the least, was not on a busy road.

Now, he's looking at plans for his new Italian-style villa now that Market Common will call the old Air Force base home.

“For the last 13 years, the biggest question we got was, ‘What are you doing out here?’ and now all of a sudden, the last 6 months, it's like, wow you're really smart,” laughed Pecora.

Pecora said he's excited, but after just getting by the past 13 years, he doesn't quite feel like he's living his dream, yet.

"I've been through the mill out here, so it's a work in progress. I guess when we build our own new building and that one opens up, then maybe I'll relax a little bit.” Looking to the future is exactly what Pecora is doing.

On the same property, directly behind the existing restaurant is where Pecora’s field of dreams lies. He plans to build a new bakery, deli and townhouses, all in a Mediterranean style with a piazza and fountain, a place for locals to just hang out.

As for the old building, “Oh, I can't wait! I'll put the hammer to it myself."

One of the many loyal Toffino’s customers, Ron Weber of Murrells Inlet, said he tries to pass by, but for the past five years, his car just automatically turned in to Toffino’s.

News 13 will follow-up the day Pecora breaks ground on his new dream. He said he should start welcoming customers in his new location by the end of the year.