Folger Shakespeare Library Announces ‘Quill & Crumb’ Wins Café Naming Contest

Constellation Culinary Group will manage the new eatery, which will offer lunch, grab-and-go options, and a full-service bar and light bites in the evening

When the Folger Shakespeare Library 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.

About Folger Shakespeare Library

The Folger Shakespeare Library makes Shakespeare’s stories and the world in which he lived accessible. Anchored by the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, the Folger is a place where curiosity and creativity are embraced and conversation is always encouraged. Visitors to the Folger can choose how they want to experience the arts and humanities, from interactive exhibitions to captivating performances, and from pathbreaking research to transformative educational programming. The Folger welcomes everyone to connect in their own way—from communities throughout Washington DC to communities across the globe. Learn more at folger.edu.

About Constellation Culinary Group

Launched in 2008 and reimagined in 2018, Constellation Culinary Group provides best-in-class dining experiences for one-of-a-kind events, cultural centers, professional settings, restaurants, and cafes. With over nineteen locations in eight cities, including internationally renowned cultural institutions Carnegie Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the New York Botanical Garden, Clark Art Institute, and the Pérez Art Museum Miami, Constellation brings culinary visions to life. As part of the Elior North America family, Constellation Culinary Group consistently creates unforgettable experiences with the help of its skilled and thoughtful people, who believe in the company’s mission and philosophy that good food connects us. For additional information and a full list of Constellation dining and venues, visit constellationculinary.com.

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