Crepe Culture becomes Crepe Traditions

After backlash for the name “Crepe Culture,” co-owners Sree Valluru and Suvidha Kovuri changed the name of their Franklin Street restaurant to “Crepe Traditions.”

“It was brought to our attention that the name caused concern for certain groups,” Valluru said.

“Comments on social media made us think that a name change would be a good idea.”

Valluru said the original name, “Crepe Culture,” was chosen to emphasize how crepes can become part of a regional culture.

Valluru, who has lived in many French-dominated cultures, said he has seen how crepes are a staple food in French cuisine. In choosing the new name, Valluru and Kovuri wanted to keep this same spirit.

“Crepes are an important food, culturally, and we wanted to keep in mind the history of the crepe in the name,” Valluru said.

The name change has delayed the restaurant’s opening date. The 140 W. Franklin St. location, formerly Gigi’s Cupcakes, was supposed to open at the beginning of July, but the owners say they now expect to open toward the end of August or early September once health inspections are completed.

Crepe Traditions will serve sweet and savory crepes, Intelligentsia brand coffee, beer, wine and soda. Most crepes will cost between $8 and $10. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

“It will be a simple menu with great taste, and the restaurant’s location has many sophisticated design aspects,” Valluru said.

Valluru said the open-kitchen restaurant will be high-end but laid back enough for students to frequent.

“It will look like a cool hangout space for students to have crepes and coffee with their friends,” Kovuri said.

Junior Kendall Medford said she didn’t find the original name offensive.

“I think changing the name is a bit too politically correct,” Mudford said. “The initial name was catchier, but I guess people on social media can see the offense in anything.”

Taylor Aliano, a junior, has never had a crepe but said she would be open to trying the food at Crepe Traditions.

“Crepe Culture is a good name because of the alliteration,” Aliano said. “I don’t think they had to change it.”

The restaurant will not deliver, but Crepe Traditions will cater events by making fresh crepes on site using portable crepe grills. Though the restaurant missed move-in business, they plan to reach out to student organizations and cater campus events.

The Chapel Hill restaurant is Crepe Traditions’ first location, but the business is available for franchise.

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