NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Claire’s Corner Copia is celebrating 50 years of being a premier vegetarian restaurant in New Haven that many have grown to love.

Friends, family and loyal customers gathered at the restaurant on Wednesday to bring recognition to a special achievement.

When Claire Criscuolo first opened the restaurant back in 1975, she knew she would face an uphill battle to build a strong customer base in New Haven.

“People didn’t know what organic meant, so we started labeling everything that was organic ‘organic,’ so we were forced to say the word,” Criscuolo said. “It matters to the environment, and that’s a blessing because we will all be healthier, and if we’re healthier, we’re happier.”

One Yale graduate returned to Claire’s Corner Copia to celebrate Wednesday. Rae Skinner s

See Full Page