For 12 years, Julianna’s Coffee and Crepes, known for its Hungarian-style crepes and warm atmosphere, was a staple for Inman Park locals, until one day it was suddenly closed.
On the door, a tiny notice read, “Julianna’s Coffee and Crepes permanently closed due to nonpayment of rent.”
A representative from Julianna’s could not be reached after several attempts for comment by phone, email or social media.
For longtime customers, the news came without much warning, leaving many wondering how such a beloved spot could disappear so suddenly.
Julianna’s first opened in 2013, taking over a small, vacant house in the historic district of Inman Park. Owner Andrew Turoczi named the cafe after his mother and designed the cafe to resemble the little restaurants hidden in alleyways of his native country, Hungary. Turoczi immigrated to the U.S. with his family in the 1980s.
Regular customer Eliza Davis said the cafe’s backstory and design were part of what made it stand out.
“It felt personal, not just another cafe,” Davis said. “You could sense the story behind it, and that’s what made it special. It was a place where people could relax and enjoy their time, and it really stood out from other spots in the area.”
With most crepe orders costing under $11, many customers were drawn to Julianna’s to indulge in sweet or savory treats. The cafe, which accommodated both sit-down meals and to-go orders, sported personal touches, such as handwritten menus. Midtown sophomore Julianna Richman would visit Julianna’s every year on her birthday.
“It was the one constant in my life, and I knew I could always look forward to going there,” Julianna Richman said. “The cafe had the same name as me, so it became a tradition with my family and grandparents when they came to Atlanta. My favorite memory is when we bought a T-shirt there when I was 7 as one of my birthday presents, and the T-shirt being so big on me, then I slowly started to grow into it, and now it fits as a regular T-shirt.”
Julianna’s didn’t have a traditional kitchen hidden in the back. Instead, they would make the crepes behind the counter for customers to watch. Sinclair Richman, Julianna Richman’s sister, believes this added to the cafe’s unique vibe.
“It was really cool how you could always watch them make the crepes. It made it more fun to eat there,” Sinclair Richman said. “It was a little local shop, and it always sucks to see those types of places close down.”
Davis also remembers Julianna’s as a place where she could relax and catch up with friends. She felt the cafe was always welcoming, whether she was stopping by for a quick bite or spending an afternoon there.
“It was my little hangout spot, and now it feels weird not being able to go there,” Davis said. “When my mom told me that it was closed, I was honestly shocked. It didn’t seem like a place that would ever close.”
The cafe was a place where friends and family could gather and share memories over delicious food and drinks. Customers remember spending specific moments at Julianna’s, whether it was a birthday celebration or just spending an afternoon catching up with friends.
“The crepes were so good, and the cafe always had such a happy vibe,” Davis said. “I’ll really miss coming here; it’s so sad to see this happen to such an amazing place.”
Stories like the Richman family’s and Davis’ experience show how much value small businesses like Julianna’s hold to people, especially in a big city like Atlanta. The closing of Julianna’s reflects the larger struggle for small businesses to survive economic pressures and competition with large chains.
“It’s really hard for small businesses like this to survive with rents going up and so much competition,” Sinclair Richman said. “Places that make a neighborhood special often don’t get the support they need to stay open.”
The closing of Julianna’s reflects a broader trend in Atlanta, where many small businesses have struggled in recent years with rising rents, inflation, and increased competition from national chains. For customers, the loss is not just about a place to eat, but about the role small neighborhood spots play in creating community connections.
“Every time I think of Julianna’s, I remember laughing with my friends and celebrating little moments,” Davis said. “It’s going to be really hard to find another place that feels this special.”
