Tell us a bit about yourself and the business.
“My name is Nicole Crane, and I’m the owner of Taste of Philly, located on Church Place Lurgan. I’m Italian-American, originally from Philadelphia, USA.
“At Taste of Philly, we make fast, fresh food using our family recipes and all our Philly food favourites.
“Our aim is to bring the food culture, the atmosphere, and the personalities of Philly right here to Lurgan, so everyone can experience what Philly is really like”.
How did the business start?
“Well, since 1999, I’d been visiting Lurgan every year – it’s my husband’s hometown. For years, we lived together in the States, and whenever we had visitors, they always raved about our food.
“When the Covid pandemic hit, I felt like I needed a change. So, I decided to quit my job in the US and move to Northern Ireland with my husband and our children.
“To make sure everything was just right, my mother and grandmother moved over as well to help me with the recipes. They’re traditional Italian recipes that have been passed down for generations”.
Why is shopping local so important?
“It’s essential that we support local businesses to keep the town thriving and ensure small businesses can stay open.
“Small businesses are the heart of a town; they genuinely care about the products and services they offer to their communities”.
What do you love most about Lurgan?
“I love the people. The Lurgan people have been so supportive of the business and I love chatting to the customers when they come in”.