In the 1930’s, my grandfather, Alvin “Stumpy” Thorne sold fresh caught fish in sandwiches, soups, and other treats on the pier in Spring Lake, NJ, just down Ocean Ave from Asbury Park. Legend has it, he would steal his mother’s homemade pies right off the counter and sell them by the slice for a dime (ala mode for an extra nickel). However, the stand was short-lived when a 1936 hurricane wiped out the pier. Stumpy then enlisted in the Army, originally posted at what is now the Asbury Park VFW, which is right next door to Crust & Crumble!

In 2008, my wife and I decided to return to the Jersey Shore and open Crust & Crumble with the help of our families. We have been fortunate to witness Asbury Park’s renaissance and are proud to be OG Asbury Park.