FULTON, Illinois – “If you’re not inventing, you’re not standing out.” That’s the message from Melanie Kalyan, who along with her husband Manreet, are settling in as the new owners of Krumpets Restaurant & Bakery. Krumpets, located at 1016 4th St. in downtown Fulton, has been a signature business in this Whiteside County community for […]
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FULTON, Illinois – “If you’re not inventing, you’re not standing out.”
That’s the message from Melanie Kalyan, who along with her husband Manreet, are settling in as the new owners of Krumpets Restaurant & Bakery.
Krumpets, located at 1016 4th St. in downtown Fulton, has been a signature business in this Whiteside County community for years. It has gained a reputation for its great food and service and has become a gathering place for much of the community.
Since taking over the business at the end of 2021, Ms. Kalyan and her staff have been working hard to keep those “core concepts” of great food and service in place. But they also want to make Krumpets more than a restaurant and bakery. They want to make it a business filled with art and books and a business that is a strong supporter of the community.
“We want to make it newer, fresher. … We have a super team here. We have a team with fire and passion,” Ms. Kalyan told the QCBJ.
A significant part of that passion is making the business a showcase for local works of art. In June, Krumpets hosted the Taste of Art event featuring food, wine and the sale of abstract paintings by local artist Gabi Torres.
The business also hosts a book club which recently met to discuss “The Christie Affair” by Nina de Gramont.
“Reading is my true passion,” said Ms. Kalyan. “I wanted to bring that passion to the community.”
Other passion events being planned at the Fulton business include: a wine night that also supports other local businesses; a wine and beer crawl is in the works for the fall; and plans for a music night.
Those events will help the business stand out in the region, say leaders in the tourism and business community.
“Krumpets Bakery is a vital part of the Fulton community and the River Cities at large,” said Lesley Webster, Grow Clinton’s director of placemaking and tourism. “More than just a delicious restaurant, Krumpets engages with the community through events like book clubs, paint nights, and holiday celebrations.”
But for many patrons, a trip to Krumpets is all about the food. Krumpets’ Chef Justin Lange calls the business a “deluxe grandma’s kitchen” with all dishes made in house and many ingredients sourced from local farmers.
Here is a small taste of what keeps the customers coming in the doors:
- Cinnamon rolls – Made from the same recipe for the past 30 years.
- Chicken salad – A recipe from the previous owner of Krumpets.
- New England Benedict – A fan favorites with grilled salmon patties topped with sauteed spinach, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
- The farmers breakfast – An old favorite of two eggs, ham, bacon or sausage, fries or hash browns, toast or krumpet.
- Gourmet wraps – Includes raspberry chicken, veggie, roast beef and cheddar ranch wraps.
