Boisterous Opening Of Joe’s Crab Shack (VIDEO)

When Brianna Casey of Stony Point arrived at the Palisades Center on Monday afternoon she did not plan to stay 19 hours. But that is what she wound up doing until Joe’s Crab Shack officially opened. Her reward for her stamina is a lifetime supply of crab from the national chain.

“I came here for a project and I ended up staying,” said the 17-year-old, acknowledging she was “tired but excited.”

Casey did not have much opportunity to get lonely after she staked out her spot at 4 p.m. on Monday. She said friends waited with her and a family joined them on line around 8 p.m. and others followed, numbering at least 250 by the Tuesday 11 a.m. grand opening. Some brought folding chairs many had backpacks. The first 100 will receive free crab for one year.

While they waited for the final minutes to pass, the people on line were treated to a dance performance by the restaurant’s staff and they reacted with cheers and applause.

“Their level of enthusiasm is incredible,” commented Rockland Business Association Vice President Roger Scheiber, who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.

A father and daughter from Bardonia joined the line just before 1 a.m. with a friend coming around 8:30 a.m. When they were seated inside the two-story restaurant, they said it was “wonderful” and “amazing” to sit down. 

Phoebe Rello said she had been asking her father to take to Joe’s Crab Shack even before the new location opened.  

Joe Rello said he was eager to eat.

“So far, we’re going to try a little bit of everything,” said Rello. “We’ll get to the big plates later.” 

General Manager Donato Palombo said the 295-seat restaurant is the fifth Joe’s Crab Shack in New York and one of more than 130 in the country. It is opening with 140 employees and plans for 25 more.  He said renovations took three months because the entire space was gutted.

Palombo said dance routines are part of the restaurant’s appeal. The staff dances every 20 to 45 minutes. The company has a selection of dances that are taught to the employees although the West Nyack employees have learned just four or five so far.

“We’re a fun place to go,” he said. “It’s an experience. We’re not just about food.”

Palombo said the restaurant wants to connect with the community and is raising money for Autism Speaks. With a $1 donation diners receive a free kid’s meal, a $5 donation provides a crab dip and for a $10 donation a classic steampot is served. During the three previous days of pre-opening training, Joe’s raised more than $6,000 for Autism Speaks.