Work. Relax. Celebrate.
How It Started
An all-day cafe specializing in coffee, milkshakes & a chef-driven menu, Bon Air’s Coco + Hazel is dedicated to life’s everyday pleasures. The concept was originally founded in 2019, named after the current Head Baker’s two nieces. His sister-in-law sold the business in 2022, and he remained.
How It’s Going
In September 2023, Laura Hinkle and Carrie Walker took over. Decade-long friends and Bon Air neighbors (they can drive to the shop in three minutes on a good day), the duo were looking for a new challenge. Motivated moms with successful careers and MBAs, they saw potential in Coco + Hazel and have a vision for a welcoming, community cafe and space.
A Bon Air native, Laura got her first restaurant gig at Little Caesar’s, where she worked from 15 to 30, climbing the ranks of management. She credits the pizza chain for sparking her love for food. After, she worked for HCA and Capital One. The yin to Laura’s yang, Carrie grew up in Georgia and moved to Richmond to attend MCV. She founded her own mental health practice a decade ago and now operates three locations.
The Core of Coco
While the business has gone through ownership changes over the years, there has been one constant: Coco + Hazel’s head baker, chef and churro connoisseur, Eduardo. A Oaxaca City native, he relocated to the U.S. when he was 21. He started working in restaurants as a dishwasher before eventually landing in the kitchens of 3 Monkeys, Little Nickel and Perly’s. Under the training of his sister-in-law and former owner, he also learned how to bake. He fell in love with the craft. A protege turned pro, Eduardo hasn’t looked back since and he’s the mastermind behind weekly cake specials, fresh-baked pastries, and no-fry churros.
Our Ice Cream
We source our ice cream from Rookie’s, a Lynchburg-based, small-batch purveyor of cool treats. We use it for our milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches. Size matters, and while we still offer our signature shakes, we also have introduced minis, petite versions of the classics.
Our Baked Goods
Our case is stocked daily with housemade pastries. Find cookies, cakes, croissants, scones, donuts and more. Be sure to peep the weekly cake board for specials like banana or biscoff. For breakfast sandwiches, we get bagels from local favorite Cupertino’s delivered daily.
Our Coffee
Find Richmond-based Roastology Coffee Co. on drip for all your bean needs. We keep it simple with fresh-brewed coffee along with classics, but also dabble in the wild and weird. Be sure to check out our seasonal drink menus, which in the past have been inspired by everything from Taylor Swift to Star Wars.
Allergies
Everything made in our restaurant has the chance of coming in contact with nuts, milk, eggs and gluten. We do have certain items that do not contain milk and gluten and those are marked on our menu. We suggest that anyone with a deadly allergy to nuts, eggs, milk, or gluten not to eat any of our desserts.