We recently connected with Tina Paola and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Owning a creperie wasn’t a dream of mine. I wanted crepes and couldn’t get them on Long Island. It was a simple pleasure I associated with being on vacation. In 2013, going on vacation wasn’t in the cards for us. Not while potty training, sleep training & dealing with the ‘terrible two’s’! And let’s be honest, living on LI with a family is expensive. Especially, with mycoffee addiction! I could’ve returned to being a teacher, (I actually tried three times). I simply didn’t want to miss a thing with my children. So, I slowly began learning the art of making crepes & wanted to bring them to you too! I picked it up rather quickly. Perhaps I was motivated for a vacation? Nah, we needed a new roof & boiler in the same year!

I started at street festivals & county fairs, but I didn’t “fit in” with the crowd. They wanted funnel cakes & fried Oreos. I knew there was a niche for me, but I wasn’t sure what it was (yet!) I spent an entire summer collaborating with vineyards along the North Fork Wine Trail & You guys loved this!

Bedell Cellars called it, “Grapes & Crepes”. You slowly started asking if I can do your bridal & baby showers and be a part of your special events! I was flattered! & Then, The Knot invited us to be their exclusive creperie at their NYC Gala. They designed the most beautiful cart for us to serve from and we started gaining momentum! We were ready to serve you, indoors & outdoors! Our A-Team grew!
Our website was created! You were booking us every weekend (multiple events per day)! The production agencies were calling us in to serve their cast & crew, “Coffee & Crepes”! We got star struck every time we served a celebrity (it never got old)!

Then, opportunity LITERALLY came knocking at my food truck door! Tanger Outlets, Riverhead asked if I’d like to be a regular in their new outdoor pavilion. That’s when I knew exactly what this business was meant to be! A platform where I GET TO serve you our authentic crepes every weekend! It is incredible the amount of customers that make us their pit stop
while on their East End Getaway!

We’ve come a long way!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Tina, but you all refer to me as, “The Crepe Lady”! It’s ok, I’ve grown to love this nickname. I’m a mother of three that temporarily left a career in teaching to raise my growing family. What started as a side hustle morphed into more than I expected. Although there’s flexibility in my schedule now, I don’t ever seem to clock out! I wear a lot of hats and often times, feel like I’m flying by the seat of my pants! I’m blessed with the best support system and read a lot of inspirational memes! I move at my own pace and baby-step out of my comfort zone constantly. This business has challenged me in more ways than I thought possible and despite the added gray hairs and wrinkles, I never quit!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Would it even be a good story if I told you everything went “without a hitch?”

Being a small business owner is not for the faint of heart. It takes a tremendous amount of patience, determination and faith. I would be remiss to say last season was a banner year for us. Season 9 was filled with turbulence!

We are so thankful our customers keep us distracted from what really goes on behind the scenes of running this small business! Personally, 2022 was my Everest! From Covid almost making me a statistic, to a gas explosion at our shared kitchen, to the never ending saga of getting our brand new, custom built Creperie & Gelateria to NY for Tanger Outlets, the year brought me to my knees!

With all the darkness from 2022, light is slowly peeking in on 2023. We added a specialty Coffee & Crepes Truck to our fleet, specialty crepe cakes & a new expanded menu and concept at Tanger. We cannot wait to reopen to the public!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

We’re niche and seasonally operated. Some customers wait all year for “crepe season” and will travel for our Crepes! Plus, everyone loves to hear this all started with a craving!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wholelecrepe.com
• Instagram: @wholelecrepe
• Facebook: Whole Le Crepe

Image Credits
Photographer Hearts and Pixels Decor Event Planner Nedor Decor