The Crippens

What’s your relationship to the area?
Peter’s mom and dad lived in Salisbury and Peter’s dad was sick, so we came to visit a lot from New York City. We loved it around here and decided to buy a place close to them and chose Norfolk because of its beauty and so much undeveloped land.

How did you come to Norfolk?
We bought in 2017 and by 2018 I loved it so much I said that we had to move here permanently. But, we weren’t ready to give up our coffee shop in Hell’s Kitchen in NYC so Peter commuted for a few years and my son Rex and I moved here full time. Then we sold our shop in the city and Peter was able to move here full time, as well. That was a great thing.

What do you do here?
Peter and I opened Icebox Cafe where the old Station Place used to be in downtown Norfolk. On Dec. 2 it will be one year since we opened, and we are so thrilled. Rex, our son, is a sophomore at Northwest Regional in Winsted.

What are some of the pros and cons with your business?
Pros definitely outweigh the cons. Pros: creating community—most important. Getting to know our neighbors. Eating well. Having a somewhat flexible schedule. Cons: long hours. Cleaning.

Besides your business, what else are you into?
We go to Rex’s soccer and basketball games and hang together as a family. Peter has a sister in Millerton, another sister in Morris and his mom in Salisbury, so we spend a lot of time with them. I have a sister in Manhattan and have her visit as well. I was also House Managing at the Sharon Playhouse, and I take the minutes for Planning and Zoning and Wetlands. Peter does all of the bookkeeping for the business, which keeps him busy.

Marinell, any more theatrical works on the horizon?
I am always open to new acting jobs. With the Izzies, a wonderful women’s group I am in, we are doing a fun version of Gilligan’s Island in February at the library and I’ll be the Professor. That will be a hoot.

What do you like best about living in Norfolk?
What we like best are the people—so smart and down-to-earth and accepting. Just love them. And, of course, hiking. Our woods are so gorgeous. So many places to calm down with a walk in the woods.

Favorite season?
All of the Crippen’s favorite season is summer. We adore going to Tobey Pond and we love going down to Carolina Beach in North Carolina to Peter’s family’s beach cottage.

Favorite place(s) in Norfolk?
This really cute little cafe called Icebox!!! Ha. I think we all love being at home. We have a small house but it is on 115 acres and you can’t see any neighbors so we find it very peaceful. And we love Tobey Pond.

Anything else you want to say?
We just want to thank Norfolk for being here, for being this sanctuary for us. We love it here. And thanks for doing this Mike!

—Interview by Michael Cobb