“Folger’s new cafe name announced!”

From a press release:

“When the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 East Capitol Street, SE) reopens on June 21, 2024, after a major 4-year renovation project, visitors won’t have to leave the building in order to grab a snack or have a meal. Quill & Crumb, the new café that will be housed in the Folger’s historic Great Hall, will offer lunch, baked goods, and snacks alongside coffee and tea service during the day, and a full-service bar and light bites in the evening.

The name Quill & Crumb was the top vote-getter in a crowdsourced project to name the café. The Folger put out a public call asking for ideas for what to name the café early in February and received 1,750 suggestions. Folger staff members narrowed the list and shared five options for the public to vote on. Quill & Crumb was the overwhelming favorite, with 37 percent of the votes.

“The café is an essential part of creating a sense of community for all visitors to the Folger,” said Chief Financial Officer Ruth Taylor Kidd. “We want families visiting the exhibition halls to enjoy a meal, and we hope to see DC residents drop in for lunch or drinks after work. Quill & Crumb will be a wonderful addition to the overall experience of visiting the Folger.”

Quill & Crumb will be located in the Folger’s historic Great Hall, which was originally designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret to resemble a gallery within a 16th-century English home. The Great Hall’s strapwork plaster ceiling, oak-paneled walls, and intricately designed terracotta floors will be the setting for Quill & Crumb. Seating will be offered in three zones across the Great Hall, including tables and banquettes ideal for leisurely lunches, a middle area with high-top tables for enjoying coffee or a quick snack, and a lounge area catering to socializing over drinks or grabbing a light bite before a performance in Folger Theatre.

The café will be operated by Constellation Culinary Group, which operates a number of restaurants and eateries at cultural institutions in the U.S., including Merriweather Café at Hillwood Estate and Stir Restaurant at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Constellation has envisioned a seasonal menu that includes light grab-and-go options; soups, salads, and sandwiches throughout the day; boxed lunches available to eat on the Folger’s grounds; a variety of coffees, teas, and snacks; and full bar service and small plates in the evening.”