Well-known pie maker and longtime Topeka business owner Bradley Jennings dies at 68

Bradley's Corner Café has been no stranger to the Topeka community since its opening in 2005.

The business name derives from its original owner Bradley Jennings and his well-known homemade pies that were served in the community for many years, including at Brad’s Country Restaurant at S.W. 10th and Fairlawn for nearly 10 years and the Crow’s Nest at Lake Perry.

Jennings made the difficult decision to retire from Bradley's Corner Café in 2020 after suffering two heart attacks while at the NOTO Arts and Entertainment District location. He also had a stroke in 2019. The Capital-Journal reported in 2020 that he was also tested by a tornado in 1966, a flood in 1993 and a fire in 2017 that occurred in the upstairs apartment of the café.

Jennings died April 28 in Topeka. He was 68.

Late business owner was 'legendary in pie making'

Dawn Montgomery, longtime waitress at Bradley's Corner Café, said Jennings will be deeply missed.

"He was a very successful restaurant owner," Montgomery said. "He was legendary in the pie making and his food. His customers and employees will deeply miss him. We're just going to try and carry out his legacy."

Ryan Jennings said his father began making pies with his grandmother at her restaurant in Minnesota.

"He would go in the summers with her, and she taught him how to bake pies. Pretty much what he was known for the most was making pies," Ryan Jennings said.

Montgomery said she worked under Jennings' leadership for most of her adult life, beginning when she was 17. She spent 10 years working at the Hanover Pancake House, 1034 S. Kansas Ave., then returned to work with Jennings.

"We've had followers for the whole time," Montgomery told The Capital-Journal. "I feel like a lot of them are Brad's customers that still come because they still want the same experience and the same good food. So, we've tried to keep that up."

Celebration of life for Bradley Jennings will be noon-4 p.m. May 19

Ryan Jennings, who is the owner of Weller's Grill and Bar, 222 N.W. Independence Ave., said a celebration of life will take place noon to 4 p.m. on May 19 at Weller's Grill and Bar.

"I just want to thank all my friends and the support they have given me over the years,” Bradley told The Capital-Journal in 2020. “I didn’t want to, but it’s time, because I don’t need something to happen to me. I don’t want to die in here.

"But I am going to miss so much of it and I’m going to miss the people. I can’t thank Topeka enough for putting up with me.”

Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Pie maker and longtime Topeka business owner Bradley Jennings dies