Nu Crepes, a beloved local breakfast spot, unfortunately closed its doors on Jan. 12, 2025. After 12 years of business cocooned in the Schiller Court alleyway, unforseen misfortunes forced this family business to make a challenging decision.

Founded after an inspiring visit to a creperie in Dublin, Ireland, Niall Martin pitched the idea to his parents after returning home. Armed with their support, Martin got to work and Nu Crepes began its transformation from an idea to a restaurant in 2010.

“They got me a $20 crepe pan and I got to work with recipes,” Martin said. “That’s where I came up with our signature batter. That’s why it’s so good.”

Nu Crepes’ signature batter didn’t take long to catch on, either. Even at a small-scale operation like a local market, their success was huge.
“We started with two summers in farmers markets,” Martin said. “By the second summer, once we knew people were taking the train from different towns to the farmers market in Downers Grove, with no real online promotion, just word of mouth, it was proof enough for us.”

This prompted the Martin family to choose Elmhurst as their home base. As natives to this town and all York graduates themselves, it was an easy decision. Yet, more than a decade of market changes and other unanticipated challenges stood in the restaurant's way.

“We just felt there were a lot of variables that were out of alignment from our initial expectations when starting the business,” Martin said. “We didn’t want to get to a position where we regretted staying open, so making the decision to exit on our own steam allowed us to give it a proper goodbye.”

While this fate may have been unfortunate, it didn’t diminish the huge effect this restaurant had on the local community. Enjoying crepes together at the restaurant is where many families bonded, and Senior Ally Poku’s bond with the restaurant reflected

“Learning Nu Crepes was closing was a very shocking and sad feeling because Nu Crepes was one the first restaurants that my family tried after moving here around 2012 – 2013,” Poku said.
“Whenever we would have family staying over, Nu Crepes was one of the first places we would take them in Elmhurst.”

This communal bond was especially prominent to Martin, too.

“It definitely wasn’t lost on us, especially towards the last couple of years,” Martin said. “A lot more people were kind enough to offer up their stories and appreciation for us. We always wanted an open concept kitchen where you can talk to the people in the back, because it’s not just someone in the back cooking your food, it’s a real human being. My staff and I really appreciated that, especially in the closing weeks.”

While the communal bond with Nu Crepes may have suspended, Poku reflected on her own connection with this tasty breakfast.

“The only place I will go is to my brother for some homemade crepes because he has mastered his recipes, which are amazing.” Poku said. “I definitely will try to find another place, but I don't think it will ever carry the special feeling.”

Martin reflects on closing the restaurant and appreciates all the love Elmhurst and surrounding towns have shown Nu Crepes.

“It’s been a fun spot for us. We’re thrilled that we could’ve been a part of people’s routines and lives, so it meant something to us.” said Martin.