Leaping Frog and Hava Java open at Carillon Beach

Carillon Beach has experienced a rejuvenation of its downtown with the opening of new food and drink opportunities.

Paul Babin opened the Leaping Frog Wine Bar last year at the new Carillon Beach Inn.

Babin is a full time resident of the community since 2002 and homeowner since 1995.

His relocation to the beach came via stints in Atlanta and New York City, and at an end to 30 years in the recording business. Fourteen of those years were spent with Virgin Records, where he finished his career as Vice President of Marketing.

His clients included Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Mariah Carey, Madonna, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Marvin Gay, Lenny Kravitz, David Bowie, and Tina Turner, and others.

During his stint at Virgin, Babin often went on tour with the stars, which he likens to a "babysitting job."

"I was on the road with the Rolling Stones for a year. I made sure everything was set up. Most artists are insecure and superstitious. They want to see a familiar face when in a strange place," he said.

Many of the tour bus incidents aren't fit to print, he said, and to hear them, folks will have to come into the bar and look him up.

However, Babin did say the quirkiest and most out of touch stars are the entire Jackson family, Paula Abdul and Mariah Carey.

His favorites were Marvin Gay, Aerosmith, and Lenny Kravitz.

"They were good guys," he said. "We went through a lot together. And, Tina Turner was very nice and accommodating."

Babin said he does and doesn't miss the business.

"I miss the old days when it used to be about the music. Now it's about revenue. Art and commerce collide. When that happened is when I decided to leave," he said.

Babin volunteered to open the wine bar in the lobby of the new Carillon Inn. He said while he had never operated a wine bar before, he had drank his share of wine.

He now has knowledgeable help at the bar, however, -- his new wife Ashley Palmer Babin. Ashley is a certified sommelier and previously worked for Southern Wine and Spirits. They met at the Leaping Frog and married Feb. 21 at Carillon. They walk to work each evening.

"She has a much better palate and nose than I," said Babin.

They both work the bar, which offers 60 different wines by the glass or bottle. The wines are served in Reidel glasses exclusively.

"It's worth it," said Paul.

The Babins also offer champagne and imported beer by the glass, all of which may be enjoyed indoors or outside on the patio, along with free sunsets.

Last week, the couple went forward with another Carillon venture in the opening of Hava Java coffee shop. Hava Java is open from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Leaping Frog Wine Bar is open Tuesday - Saturday from 5 - 10 p.m.