There’s a new something sweet on Cherokee Street.

And not just sweet. Savory, too. And meaty, cheesy, chocolatey, rich, and any other word you can think of to describe the mouthwatering menu at Crepes and Treats.

While the family-owned shop is new to Cherokee Street and celebrating their grand opening at 2752 Cherokee St at the corner of California on Saturday June 17th, owner and pastry chef Saul Juarez is far from new at baking up delicious treat.

Crepes and Treats was born when Juarez, who was the pastry chef at the Angad Arts Hotel on Grand, lost his job due to COVID-19. Hotel traffic was down, hospitality groups weren’t hiring, and Juarez decided it was time for him to strike out on his own. After all, people needed something special in stressful times; and Juarez felt compelled to create.

“Instead of being part of the problem, we made the decision to be part of the solution by opening Crepes and Treats,” Juarez said.

Although opening a new business during a pandemic was challenging, the actual work was never the problem. Juarez has found peace, meaning, and belonging in the kitchen his whole life.

“As a little boy I got my first job at a bakery, so since then the love for baking has been in my soul!” he said.

Before opening the Cherokee Street storefront, Juarez and his family operated Crepes and Treats out of Urban Eats, the South St. Louis-based food incubator, community kitchen, and marketplace. While Juarez credits Urban Eats with making his vision possible, the move to Cherokee Street came when Crepes and Treats was ready to expand.

“We wanted to open the store to have more options than just crepes, and to offer our guests the opportunity to enjoy some hot and cold plated desserts as well,” he said. “We now have a larger space, and a corner spot with huge windows that brightens the dining room and allows diners to watch the fun on Cherokee Street while they eat.”

The neighborhood’s lively atmosphere has been exciting for Juarez and his family, who love Cherokee Street’s one-of-a-kind character.

“The business owners and neighborhood organizers are friendly and take the idea of community to heart,” he said. “Cherokee Street is very busy with many new businesses and monthly events. There’s always something new going on. You can find a little bit of everything on Cherokee, and something different every time you visit. The Street is full of art, culture, flavors, and friendly people."

Crepes and Treats’ enticing business model, which includes a menu of sweet and savory crepes as well as the option to build your own, has been a welcome addition to the Cherokee Street roster of fantastic eateries.

“The community has been great!” Juarez said. “We are working on spreading our name as well as our new menu. Our favorite part is seeing how happy our customers are after enjoying a meal with us. We welcome everyone as if they were coming to our home kitchen, and we listen to our guests’ feedback to keep learning where we can grow.”

While the shop is just getting started on Cherokee, Juarez is already looking toward the future. He hopes to grow Crepes and Treats’ roster of devoted fans, add more pastry items to his offerings, and expand the store’s breakfast and lunch menu. But in the meantime, he says, come by for a crepe: they’re simple, delicious, and perfect for everyone’s taste—especially if you’ve never tried one before.

“I’d like to invite everybody to give us the opportunity to serve you some great crepes and house-made desserts,” Juarez said. “Everything we make, we make it with love. As we say, ‘Mi casa es tu casa,’ and now you are welcome to our kitchen.

And a special hint from the owner himself? Try the cinnamon roll crepe, he says. It’s a must.

Learn more about Crepes and Treats on Instagram, or stop by the store at 2752 Cherokee Street. Open Thursday and Friday from 10am-6pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9am-6pm