AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - Beloved Crepe Myrtle Cafe closed in February with plans to reopen but students won't have to wait much longer for their crepes and pastries. The cafe will open a food truck on campus this fall, according to owner King Braswell.
Braswell is hoping to have many of the same crepes as the restaurant on the truck, including favorites like the Greek Chicken, the Mexican, the Fajita Steak and dessert crepes like the Nutella and Cloud Nine. Soups and daily specials will also be available at the truck. Students will be able to use TigerCard money to pay.
A stand alone restaurant will open at the intersection of East Glenn Avenue and Samford Avenue next to Renasant Bank and across the street from Church of the Highlands. Braswell said the restaurant hopes to open in about six months but will keep customers updated via social media.
One thing vital to the new location will be maintaining the same culture that Crepe Myrtle worked to create at the South College Street location. “It’s not the four walls that will contain the restaurant, it’s more about the people that will serve our customers and the love in which our gardens are prepared. We want people to enjoy themselves in a really relaxing and enjoyable setting.”
Although the restaurant and the plant nursery will now be in different locations, the restaurant will still have the same atmosphere that was at the old location. The beloved chickens will still be wandering around and the symbolic crape myrtle trees will be moved to the new location. There will also still be a market at the front of the store with fresh produce and locally sourced gourmet brands. Some changes coming to the new location include a larger kitchen with twice the cooking capacity, a move that Braswell hopes will result in shorter wait times. The new location will also serve beer and wine.
Braswell hopes to help recreate the atmosphere starting with the staff. “I always thought our staff and culture and ambiance was special because we tried to make everyone feel very special there, that they impacted our lives in a positive way each day. We tried to select employees that had hearts that allowed them to serve our customers in that way. All the plants and the flowers, success with those and environmental efforts all come from hands of people with caring hearts. That place was so special.”
Blooming Colors has already reopened on Society Mill Road, a move aimed at reaching more homeowners in the area. Crepe Myrtle and Blooming Colors have been open since 1993. Customers can get updates on the new cafe by joining an email list at www.crepemyrtlecafe.com where they can also give input to things they'd like to see at the new location.
