Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill
Fifteen years ago, Toka Harris walked into Ladybug’s Bakery and Deli for lunch and left with a new direction for her life.
At the time, she was working at Walmart and looking for a way to spend more time with her daughter. On a whim, she told the woman behind the counter, “If you ever decide to sell, let me know.” Just weeks later, the opportunity was hers. The asking price was exactly what she had saved, perhaps some divine intervention.
Located in downtown Jasper, Ladybug’s has long been known for its cozy charm and signature chicken salad, but Toka has made her mark by expanding the menu, keeping the atmosphere welcoming, and building lasting connections with her customers.
Toka has always been drawn to cooking. She grew up watching her grandmother in the kitchen, then spent 13 years at Dot’s Diner in Cordova, where she learned the ropes of running a small restaurant. After that, she worked for 15 years at Walmart before stepping into ownership at Ladybug’s.
Ask just about anyone who’s been to Ladybug’s, and they’ll tell you – it’s not just a spot to grab a bite, it’s a pillar of the local community. The Coffee Table Club, which originated in 1948 at Vance’s Drugstore in downtown Jasper, meets around their dedicated table at Ladybug’s every weekday morning.
“I don’t even think of those guys as customers,” Toka says. “They’re family.”
Ladybug’s may be small, but it runs like a well-oiled machine, thanks to a tight-knit team. Toka does most of the cooking, while her daughter Callie, her cousin Whitney, and new team member Maggie handle prep and keep the vibe light. Maggie’s adding sourdough, cinnamon rolls, and cookies to the mix, while Whitney is known for making everyone feel welcome the moment they walk in.
“Keeping the team small just works better because there’s less confusion for everyone,” Toka says. “My goal isn’t to grow into something huge. I’m happy right here with how things are; it works.”
Still, she’s always thinking of ways to better serve her customers. When she realized some folks couldn’t make it to the shop before closing time, she arranged for her chicken salads to be sold at Son’s Supermarket. Now, the demand has grown so much that she delivers to the store as often as three times a week.
When she’s not working, Toka enjoys fishing, antiquing, collecting quilts, and digging with her metal detector. She doesn’t hunt but shoots a bow for fun and loves being outdoors.
She also has a deep love for her community. Toka proudly supports other local businesses, gives back whenever she can, and believes in helping people without fanfare. Over the years, that’s meant providing meals for those just getting back on their feet, helping folks through hard times, and always showing up for her regulars.
“You never know what someone else is going through,” she says. “If someone’s hungry, I feed them. Even if I’m having a rough day, I try to be kind. That matters.”
Callie says her mom never lets people see her stress, even when things don’t always go to plan behind the scenes. She’s steady, dependable, and always puts others first.
“She’s the hardest-working person I know,” Callie says. “She never asks for praise, but she deserves it.”
Toka’s not looking to franchise or grow into something bigger. She’s happy where she is. Someday, she’d love to get her chicken salad into more local grocery stores, but only the small, hometown kind.
Though Callie grew up in the shop and can make the chicken salad “just right,” she plans to become a teacher, meaning the future of Ladybug’s may not include a handoff. That’s just fine with Toka, who says running the restaurant is the hardest job she’s ever had—physically, mentally, and emotionally—but also the most rewarding.
She’s not in it for the spotlight. She’s not chasing growth or fame. Toka Harris just shows up every day, pours her heart into the work, and keeps the doors open for anyone who needs a good meal and a little kindness to go with it. WL
