Sharon Hanks
Fennville's popular
Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant & Bakery has spun off a new restaurant, this time in downtown Holland where visitors can enjoy Crane's delicious to-die-for famous pastries and foods.
Crane's in the City opened last month in the former Frames Works site at 11 E. Eighth Street. The owners are Mary Jo Creevy, the niece of Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant & Bakery founders Lue and Bob Crane, and Mary Jo's husband, Chad. Both have been overwhelmed with the warm reception they've received from the downtown business community and customers. "We've been thrilled with the response," says Mary Jo. "Everyone has been very supportive."
The 1,500-square-foot restaurant seats about 25 inside and another 12 outdoors. The cozy place boasts a full plate of pie choices: apple, blueberry, cherry, peach and raspberry along with apple and cherry crisps and apple, blueberry and cherry strudel. Of course, side scoops of ice cream can be plopped on top of any slice of pie.
In addition to these tempting pastries, diners can enjoy other yummy items: apple dumplings and no-sugar-added selections of apple, blueberry and cherry pies. Each slice costs $4; a baked pie costs $14.50.
There are also more heartier selections for those wanting a "regular" meal. They range from Sloppy Joes to chicken salad to soups and homemade chili for $4 to $8.50. Mary Jo Creevy recommends the City Cristo, a Crane's signature sandwich made with apple butter bread and filled with turkey, apple, provolone cheese and honey mustard and topped with powdered sugar for $7.50.
The restaurant business appears promising for the new entrepreneurs whom, like many, are adjusting to the new economy. They decided to get into the business after both recenty lost their jobs.
Mary Jo worked in administration at the human resources department at Magna Donnelly for nearly 30 years. Her husband was a corporate pilot for many years at Holland Hitch and Trendway, two Holland area companies. At least in their new jobs, no one will be telling them their plate is empty. They can enjoy pie!
Crane's in the City is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Sources: Mary Jo Creevy and her sister, Sherrie Schermer, of Crane's in the City, Holland.
Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at [email protected]. She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.
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