Interview with Baltimore Crepe Crazy
Renca: Hello there! Congratulations on the grand opening of Crepe Crazy! I am thrilled to chat with the both of you! Could you both introduce yourselves?
Betsie: Hi! I am Betsie (shows name sign)
Ruslan: I am Ruslan (shows name sign)
Renca: I am excited to talk with you about your recent grand opening of Crepe Crazy. I saw many comments on social media about how excited they are and this is a Deaf-owned business. Could you explain your journey of how you got to where you are now? The opening is in Baltimore, Maryland, right?
Betsie: Yes, in Baltimore. You want to explain?
Ruslan: You go ahead.
Betsie: Ok, I’ll try to summarize the story. We started a while back with crepe.
Ruslan: 2014.
Betsie: Okay, actually the original plan was, that time we lived in Austin, Texas, we met Inna and Vova who owns Crepe Crazy in Austin. We met them through the Russian community. We are all good friends. Ruslan and Vova did talk about wanting to set up a business. That time there was no café or restaurant -- not yet. The Gitterman family was still doing festivals. They were on the “festival level.” Right?
Ruslan: Yes
Betsie: Later on, these two talked about wanting to set up a café. They talked about setting up “Crepe.” but never officially owned a building or any of that sort. Later, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) financially supported our family to go to Gallaudet. I wanted to take the opportunity so we put the business idea on hold. We went to Gallaudet. I finished school and got my degree. I noticed Valerie, my daughter, was doing well at Maryland School for the Deaf. So, we did not see ourselves going back to Texas. But, what about the crepe business? So, we all agreed together that some of the money could go towards doing festivals in the Maryland area. That started in 2015.
Ruslan: Actually, all of the East Coast’s festivals. Maryland, Florida, New York, etc.
Betsie: Yeah, so we have traveled a lot on the “festival” level. Then in Austin, they set up the café, set up a restaurant, and escalated from there. They said that the best place to start is festivals, that helped take the first step. So, that’s why we have been doing festivals for the last 5 years and felt ready to partner with the Gitterman family to set up a franchise business. The one in Austin was a café, then a restaurant, and they also had a food truck, and is expanding to a franchise which is this location now in Baltimore. The first one was set up in Dripping Springs- the café one. The second location is Austin. Now, this Baltimore location is a franchise restaurant. Hope that’s clear?
Ruslan: Why did we pick Baltimore? The festivals. We have been to a lot of festivals, but Baltimore always did us well. Many events here. Also, people have told us to set one up here in Baltimore. We said yeah sure, but where? Then one day, one man told us about this location. He said this would be the best. We said, really? Ok so we went to visit this place and liked it. It’s a cool place. It’s nice.
Betsie: We should give credit to that man. I do not know his name. I would like to tell him thank you! I don’t even know his name. He was a Deaf guy who just showed up and told us about this place. We checked it out and got it!
Ruslan: But we got hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to keep going. Think positive and just go ahead.
Renca: How did you find that location? You said that Deaf man told you about the place, but why that specific location?
Ruslan: This place has many diverse foods. This is a “food court.” This place is very diverse. It has Haitian food, Japanese food, etc. very diverse. That is what we are looking for. We are a nice addition to the diverse type of food here. Many different people here. So, we decided this was the best location. Seems we made the right choice, the place and everything, this was the right choice.
Renca: Well, how are you feeling right now about this whole thing?
Betsie: Honestly, because of Covid-19, I am a little concerned. Before Covid-19, this area was always packed! That was one of the perks. So, after we signed the business deal, Covid-19 happened, now not many people here. It’s not the same. We did check with the Austin location to see how they were doing. They said at first not too well, but then they picked up again through third party deliveries like DoorDash, UberEats, etc. However, remember that the Austin location already has a customer base. People already know about Crepe Crazy in Austin. We do not have one yet. So, when Covid-19 hit, people were gone- we have to really advertise ourselves.
Renca: Are you connected with DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc?
Betsie: Yes, we are. We just started this week. We just had our grand opening so it was overwhelming. We waited on the third party deliveries because we need to make sure everything is good first. Now we are ready for DoorDash, UberEats, PostMates, and GrubHub.
Renca: I’m curious about who you are employing? Just the both of you or do you have other Deaf employers? Hearing or Deaf?
Betsie: My goal is that the priority is Deaf employers. Give opportunities. If we cannot find Deaf people then we will go with CODAs or a signer like an interpreter or an ASL student. If we still cannot find those people, which I doubt will happen-God forbid, but we will hire a non-signing hearing person and maybe teach some basic signs. I doubt that will happen though.
Ruslan: My goal is all Deaf employers, to give an opportunity. Deaf, CODA, or who knows sign language- I do not mind as long as they know how to communicate. Key is communication.
Betsie: I always look for Deaf business to support too like having shirts printed by Deaf owned business, business cards, etc. Like recently there was a Deaf person who specialized in wood making. Let me show you, give me a minute.
Ruslan: This is to help hearing customers communicate to point their order! You point, you receive. That is a way to communicate with hearing customers.
Renca: Ok now, I want to ask what is your “special” on your menu? For this month? Have any Crepe specials for this month?
Betsie: Really, during festivals, we always have 6 items- the usual 6 items. Now, we have a café, there’s like 20 options. I have not tried them all yet! I am going slowly through the list like the Cowboy option is good.
Ruslan: Same, have not tasted them all.
Betsie: I like the grey apple with brie option. It tastes unique, but it’s with a twist. I like it.
Ruslan: For me it does not matter. I will eat them all. I like all of them. They’re all good.
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Well, I am very thankful for the Deaf community. When we had our grand opening, many Deaf people came. I felt honored. Some people came from New York to eat here and support us. Some came from Pennsylvania. Also, I see many Deaf people, their backgrounds, their political beliefs, all that was set aside. Everyone was united to show support. They were excited for us. I felt so honored. I want to thank the Deaf community for that. It touched me.
Betsie: I want to thank especially to the Gitterman family: Vova, Inna, Sergei, and Michelle. I cannot take all the credit like, “Oh it was all me.” No. The Gitterman family started from scratch. They succeeded. Now, we have their “blueprint.” I really want to thank them. We could not do this without them.
Ruslan: This is to prove that Deaf people can run a business- a franchise business. If you want a franchise business, do it. Don’t think only hearing people can do it. Deaf people can start a franchise business. We are the proof of that. If other Deaf people want that, go for it! Yes, it is hard in the beginning, but it will smooth out later.
Betsie: My favorite quote is “don’t listen to them.”
Renca: Yes, that’s true! Just keep going! Thank you so much for your time. I am thrilled for your grand opening. Congratulations once again!
Betsie: Thank you! Now, when are you coming?
Renca: Oh yes. I will need to come soon! Got to make plans to come!