Crepes In the Park

Success Story: Crepes in the Park’s Transition to Independent Ownership

Severna Park, MD — When Abby Larkin, owner of Crepes in the Park, decided to part ways with the a crepes franchise and operate independently, she reached out to the Maryland Small Business

Development Center (SBDC) for guidance. This decision marked a significant milestone for Abby, who had been running the Severna Park franchise since 2013. Transitioning to independent ownership allowed her to reimagine her business, offering locally inspired crepes and a cozy dining experience tailored to her vision and the community’s needs.

Through her engagement with SBDC and the Maryland Business Opportunity Center (MBOC), Abby received extensive support in her relaunch efforts. SBDC Consultant, Dr. Candace Pruett provided strategic insights into marketing, website development, human resources, and business considerations to ease Abby’s transition. The services and guidance Abby received included:

Relaunch Strategy and Marketing Support: Abby collaborated with design experts referred by MBOC, who assisted her with developing marketing materials. Candace also advised Abby on effective strategies for updating her social media and Google business accounts to maintain her established customer base during the relaunch.

Human Resources and Employee Support: MBOC facilitated Abby’s partnership with Sherrie Brown, an HR expert, who helped craft an employee handbook tailored to Abby’s business and hiring needs.

Technical and Operational Assistance: With the assistance of SBDC and MBOC, Abby received referrals to specialists for her website development and digital marketing needs. This enabled her to replace the franchise’s website with a modern, functional site optimized for online ordering—a crucial feature for her thriving takeout business.

Community Engagement and Event Planning: As a capstone to her journey, Abby and the local Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 30, celebrating her transformation from a franchisee to an independent business owner. This event represents both Abby's personal achievement and the positive impact of SBDC's support on local businesses in Severna Park.

Crepes in the Park now stands as a proud, community-oriented establishment under Abby’s independent vision. By offering quality products and personalized service, Abby is committed to enriching Severna Park with a business that is both local and customer-focused, thanks to the support and resources from SBDC and MBOC.

For more information about Crepes in the Park, please visit https://crepesinthepark.com/.

The Maryland SBDC is a statewide network of centers dedicated to providing free and confidential business advising and training to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. With over 30 years of experience, the SBDC has helped countless businesses launch, grow, and succeed. For more information, visit www.marylandsbdc.org.