Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Sobiech.
Hi Victoria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It began when my mom and I went to Paris, France in February 2022. We drank cafe cremes everywhere we went. The one and only time we got a one to go- which is not a typical French thing to do, I saw a man making crepes and I thought to myself I could do that. Crepes were not a foreign thing to me, I grew up with them my whole life and ate them almost everyday in Paris but seeing this one guy doing it made me want to do it. I didn’t tell anyone my idea about wanting to do that until I told my mom about two months after we got back from the vacation. A few months later in casual conversation my mom was talking to someone if there was any space for a restaurant and they said let me get with someone and that someone got back with us in one day. Three days later, we were meeting the owner of the building we lease from and less than a year later in June 2023 we were moving in and had our little counter service cafe.
About a year in we knew we needed to go bigger. Between selling out on a Saturday at 11am some weekends and overflowing into a common area space we were just too small. We had regulars and new comers that changed everything. By December 2024, we were in the full works of finding a place. Little did we know it was right next door-same owners. By February we signed a new lease and we started a beer and wine license permit so we could now start serving mimosas and being a brunch place everyone can enjoy. Gone was counter service and now was full service. Bigger menu, mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, new tables and chairs, more French art and crystal glassware that elevated our place but didn’t change who we are.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not, but surprisingly it wasn’t the business. It was more personal for us. We had a lot of unexpected grief. I say this a lot but truly our regulars and guests have been the best because through all the struggles and successes they’ve been there for us, just like we have with them. They’ve become friends and family to us. If I have to close on a day I’m normally open people don’t question it because they know I’m here everyday day and they know there must be a reason and for that I’m thankful. Business will always have its ups and downs but at the end of the day for us if it’s a good week or a good month we can’t complain.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Our crepe batter recipe is my dad’s- it’s over 40 years old. It’s the one I grew up with Sundays after church. We have sweet and savory crepes, chicken salad croissant sandwich, French onion soup- mom has been making the soup for over 40+ years. We spent a lot of time curating a menu that almost everyone can eat off of. Every month we have features that could be popular ones everyone loves or new ones that we spend time and brain power coming up with. Almost all of our crepes can be gluten free minus a handful of features throughout the year. What sets us apart I think is that we’re a family owned restaurant and have our family working with us. We have fresh ingredients and our crepes are made to order. We have recipes that are older than me and lucky for me I have my mom next to me to share those ideas and recipes with. We’re known for our sweet crepes, our savory Monte Cristo, French hot chocolate, French soda and how pretty our place is and how cozy our place is. I’m most proud when someone loves our place because at the end of the day from start to finish when someone comes in it’s my life and anyone loving it makes it all worth it.
Our hours are Thursday- Monday, 7am-3pm.
What makes you happy?
People enjoying my food, especially the new features! I always panic thinking someone won’t like it because it’s new. And any of the handcrafted drinks. I love them but I always worry someone won’t like it like I do.
And that my family works there too. My mom(my business partner), my nephews, niece, my mom’s friend and even my nieces boyfriend. It’s basically a second home for all of us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://earlylightcreperie.square.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlylightcreperie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089127416402
