The space they took over formerly belonged to a Schlotzsky’s Deli, and some previous customers came to the restaurant expecting a reuben sandwich. With help from Realtors Al Cimino and Tom Hedman, the family moved into a new home near Monkey Junction and signed a lease for the restaurant. The family bought a house in late 2009 and crossed the Atlantic in January 2010. Sylvain said his family wanted to experience all four seasons, but still be near the beach. “We found Wilmington, we came to town, we liked it. When asked how he decided to open his restaurant in Wilmington, Sylvain had a simple answer. Upon graduation, the family knew they wanted to move back to the U.S., but was unsure where. Montpellier is located in the south of France, near the Mediterranean Sea. The family stayed in Montpellier, France, while Sylvain studied. He worked at a friend’s restaurant before beginning culinary school in southern France in 2008.
As the global economy deteriorated, Sylvain decided to pursue what had always been a passion: cooking. In 2006, the family moved back to France and Sylvain contemplated a career change. The family lived in the United States for more than five years in New Mexico and Florida while Sylvain worked for an international consulting firm. The story that brought the family to Wilmington is both quite complex and very simple. The family’s youngest daughter, Justine, is a sophomore at Ashley High School, but she, too, pitches in when she can. They run the restaurant with their daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Benjamin Gayout. The restaurant business is not for the weak, and for the Marguerats it is a family business. A quiet backdrop of French pop music played while iconic pictures and postcards decorated the walls.
She sat looking around her brightly-painted restaurant as customers enjoyed coffee and crepes while working silently on laptop computers. “The first year is difficult, but you have to be careful the first three years,” said Jacqueline Marguerat. Owners Sylvain and Jacqueline Marguerat are pleased with the business so far, but hope that more Port City residents continue to find their way into their family-run restaurant. In June, Our Crepes and More will celebrate its one-year anniversary at 3810 Oleander Drive. In the past, Wilmington has not been a bastion of homemade crepes or other French treats. For the refined palate, a freshly made crepe makes the mouth water.
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