FUNDRAISING EFFORT LAUNCHED TO BRING BACK CRANE'S DELI

It's been more than four years since Crane's Deli shut down on Maplewood Avenue as owner Steven Crane locked up the shop for the last time.

He reappeared for a while in the former Highland Place space, but that didn't last.

But now Crane and veteran restaurateur Dan Dandino have launched an online effort to raise some $20,000 by the end of August so Crane's can get back in business. One of the elements would include dinners to go.

They are still looking for a location. Among them is a Valley Street site or Springfield Avenue or Maplewood Village. They are hoping to be open by the end of October.

A website announcing the effort and ways to donate online also includes special packages donors can receive depending on how much they give. From a free T-shirt for $50 to a long list of goodies and freebies for a $5,000 investment.

It states:

Hi everyone!  We (Steve Crane and Dan Dandino) have heard from community members how much you all feel the void left by the closing of Highland Place/Crane’s. And, we have really missed the opportunity to feed you all! As residents of Maplewood, we know our community is underserved in foodservice and there is no place like the old Crane’s. But, that is about to change! You have the opportunity to help us get Crane’s back up and running better than ever. We are working to bring Crane’s back to the community where we will be serving all the classics you loved PLUS new offerings such as:

• Healthy, affordable and delicious family-style dinner dinners delivered to your home
• BYOB dine-in at our location on the weekends.
• Saturday and Sunday brunch dine-in and delivered.

See more HERE.