Ep. 178 Claire’s Corner Copia: 50 Years of Quality Food and Community with Claire Criscuolo

What do hibiscus tea, organic flour, and allergy-friendly meals have in common? They’re all part of the legacy of Claire’s Corner Copia, a beloved New Haven institution founded nearly 50 years ago by nurse-turned-restaurateur Claire Criscuolo. This week on Mission CTRL , Ramon sits down with Claire to uncover the secret behind her half-century of success in a world dominated by national chains. From leading with empathy to refusing to compromise on quality, Claire has built more than a restaurant—she’s built a movement rooted in love, respect, and community. Between serving vegan dishes inspired by global flavors, paying dishwashers a living wage for nearly three decades, and decorating her restaurant with positive affirmations, Claire has always prioritized people over profit. Claire opens up about her Worcester Street upbringing in a traditional Italian household, how her nursing career fueled her passion for nourishing others, and why she never franchised despite constant demand. She shares stories of early struggles (including almost shutting down after nine months), the faith of a distributor who told her to “pay the landlord first,” and how she’s kept her mission alive through fresh ingredients, diverse partnerships, and charitable giving from her bestselling cookbooks. Whether you’re an entrepreneur searching for longevity in business, a foodie curious about New Haven’s culinary heart, or simply someone who believes good will always prevail, this conversation is packed with insights on resilience, empathy, and the power of staying true to your values. If you’ve ever wondered how love and quality can sustain a business for 50 years, this episode is for you. • • • Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website . Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

You can listen to Ep. 178 Claire’s Corner Copia: 50 Years of Quality Food and Community with Claire Criscuolo online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Ep. 178 Claire’s Corner Copia: 50 Years of Quality Food and Community with Claire Criscuolo is an episode from Mission CTRL by Peralta Design.

This episode is 00:42:42 long.

This episode was published on Aug 27, 2025.

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