Greek social media personality and businesswoman Ioanna Touni has temporarily suspended operations at her Paris croissanterie, Fat Rat, 20 days after its launch.
The bakery announced the pause in an Instagram post on Monday, September 28, informing customers that the establishment would remain closed for a brief period to carry out store modifications.
In the official social media update, the Fat Rat team expressed gratitude to everyone who visited the venue, stating that the public response was far greater than they had anticipated. The team explained that it was time to level up, adding that doors would stay closed for a few days while preparations were completed before reopening with coffee and croissants.
The store statement did not specify which exact areas or features of the shop are scheduled for modification. Touni has not made a separate personal statement regarding the suspension, leaving the official Fat Rat Instagram account as the sole source of information.
Television reaction in Greece
The decision to halt operations shortly after opening became a topic of discussion on Greek television. Presenter Giorgos Liagkas highlighted the move on his morning show, To Proino, questioning the brief timeframe between the launch and the shutdown.
Liagkas questioned whether a store genuinely requires renovations just one week after opening. He added that if the business had struggled initially and shut its doors within a week, the move demonstrated rapid reflexes on Touni's part, praising her quick reaction under those hypothetical circumstances.
The presenter also commented on the commercial decision to launch a croissant focused enterprise in the French capital, a city renowned for its traditional patisseries. Liagkas remarked that attempting to sell croissants in Paris was comparable to opening a traditional bougatsa bakery in the northern Greek city of Serres, or selling ice to Eskimos.
He further raised concerns about brand timing, noting that closing a venue during its introductory phase creates challenging optics for a new business, even if the closure involved a sanitary matter. He concluded his segment with a humorous remark, asking if Touni had closed the shop to make Parisians fall in love with her.
Eighteen months of preparation
The croissanterie project represented a long-term goal that Touni had worked on for roughly a year and a half prior to opening. She officially announced the business venture in an Instagram video published on September 7, outlining how the concept originated.
Touni established the Paris bakery in partnership with her cousin, who works as a professional chef in the French capital. The pair designed the venue around a customizable food concept, allowing customers to select specific fillings and toppings to personalize their croissants alongside coffee offerings.
Touni previously described the business as a deeply meaningful personal milestone, presenting the grand opening as the realization of a dream pursued through extended preparation.
Reopening outlook
The management of Fat Rat has confirmed only that the closure will remain in effect for a short period. The business has not disclosed a specific reopening date or detailed which modifications will be completed when service resumes.
