Honoring Half A Century: New Haven's Beloved Claire’s Corner Copia Celebrates 50th With Party, Cookbook

NEW HAVEN, CT —Claire’s Corner Copia, the iconic vegetarian restaurant, will mark its 50th anniversary with a special anniversary celebration at its 1000 Chapel St., home featuring live music and goodie giveaways on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Connecticut Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz will be on hand to recognize owner Claire Criscuolo for her "heartfelt, healthy food and impactful philanthropic projects."

Criscuolo will announce the results of her 50th-anniversary fundraiser, #BeKinderThanNecessary.

Launched in September 2024 with a goal of $100,000, the anniversary campaign aims to underwrite two $50,000 research grants for the Yale Child Study Center, supporting New Haven children through programs that help them practice empathy and kindness.

The campaign has received monetary support from sponsoring organizations, individual contributions, and net proceeds from all sales of the restaurant’s popular campaign merchandise. Criscuolo is also contributing all net proceeds of sales of her fifth and latest cookbook, “50 Vegetarian Recipes from 50 Years at Claire’s Corner Copia,” (Globe Pequot, June 2025), which, in addition to recipes, includes stories and photos from the restaurant’s five decades in operation.

"I felt the restaurant really deserved a book for our 50 years," Criscuolo is quoted as saying. "More than the other books, this is a book that really talks about the mission of Claire’s."

Through the years, Criscuolo and her late husband and restaurant co-founder, Frank Criscuolo, have supported many causes aimed at helping children, including New Haven Reads, Clifford Beers Child Guidance Clinic, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, All our Kin, Covenant House, Hole in the Wall Camp, Yale Child Study Center, Yale New Haven Hospital NICU, and Camp Kesem at Yale.

Criscuolo also co-founded the “Someone Cares Closet” at her restaurant, which collects donations of health and hygiene products for distribution to New Haven youth.

“I feel like everybody talks about the positive vibe and energy at Claire’s, and I realize that it comes from all the people who come here, Criscuolo said. "They are people who do good things."

The anniversary celebration will also feature large-screen video messages collected by Criscuolo over the past several years from various individuals sharing their favorite Claire’s Corner Copia experiences.

"Claire’s Corner Copia has been a cornerstone of Chapel Street and Downtown New Haven for half a century," said Alexandra Daum, associate vice president for New Haven Affairs and University Properties. "Claire built more than a restaurant — she created a gathering place rooted in kindness, health, and community. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Claire and grateful for the positive impact she continues to make in New Haven."