Management
Steve Feldmann & Marie Feldmannova
Founders
Steve Feldmann and Marie Feldmannova opened their first Gulu Gulu Cafe in Lynn in 2005. Salem was a better fit, and the Gulu Gulu you know today opened in 2007 and has been a local mainstay since.
Steve and Marie named their quirky place for the cafe in Prague where they met.
Recalling the inspiration drawn from that Prague Cafe, Feldmann notes, “When we first started out, I don’t think people knew what to make of us. We have music, but we aren’t a club, we have food, but we aren’t really a restaurant, and when people used to say ‘cafe,’ they would think Starbucks. We definitely aren’t Starbucks.” ... Gulu Gulu is more comparable to Hemingway’s Closerie des Lilas.
– North Shore Magazine
JESSICA (She/Her) & ERIC (He/Him) CRESCIMANO
Owners
In 2024, Steve and Marie passed the torch to another local couple, Jessica and Eric Crescimano. Although they are somewhat recent transplants to Salem, they’ve visited the cafe over the years, every time they were in Massachusetts to visit family. When they moved to Salem, they vied to become regulars at this unique, local institution.
Service industry veterans themselves, Jessica in back of house and Eric in front, when the opportunity presented itself, they couldn’t pass it up.
Long time dog owners, they have always loved the atmosphere in Salem, and especially Gulu.
Jessica notoriously invests her time and efforts into her local community, so being able to run a small business in the city that she lives in, is a dream.
The new owners plan on keeping Gulu Gulu a place you can go hang out at by yourself - to do work, get some reading done, or just be - or to meet friends. A place where you can get a cup of coffee, glass of wine, craft beer, cocktail, or mocktail, and a light bite. Where you can take in local artists’ work on the wall, listen to some live music, participate in some crafting, or learn how to play a new board game.
Gulu Gulu Cafe will continue to be an eclectic, inclusive, arty space, where locals can go to hang out, and where visitors can go to experience local hospitality.
We will also continue to offer a variety of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options, and do our best to accommodate food allergies.
JAKE HEBERT
Assistant General Manager (He/Him)
Jake is NOT a squirrel. However I don’t have a picture of Jake yet and squirrels sure are cute. So… there it is.
Charlie, Vinny and RosIe Pickle
OG Mascots
People ask all the time what’s up with all the dog paintings in the cafe? Well, these are all the dogs who have been part of our family since opening Gulu in 2005 and they serve as our official mascots! And yes, they will make appearances from time to time on our doggy approved outside patio!
Charlie the Pug (AKA the "Space Pug "of Flying Saucer Pizza Company next door) is our longest serving mascot, beginning his tenure at Gulu-Gulu’s founding. Charlie is the epitome of mellow living, keeping it low and slow.
Rosie Pickle is Frenchton (part French Bulldog and part Boston Terrier), showcasing nothing but sweetness and expert-level cuddling. Gulu’s first female pup.
Vinny is the quintessential example of dog energy; enjoying eating, running, and seriously screwing with his big sister Rosie!
Butterbean and jellybelly
The Newest Mascots
Butterbean and Jellybelly are two beagle rescues that decided the couch life is far superior to being a hunting dog. Butterbean is a champion at yelling, while Jellybelly is more the quiet type. They both enjoy eating, eating, more eating, and smelling for little critters about town. If you hear a beagle bey around Gulu-Gulu, it’s probably these two attention hogs.