The very heart of Crystal Plaza Group is family.

Founded in 1917, we are a fourth-generation family owned and operated luxury catering and event production company based in Livingston, New Jersey. Four Janoff family members—brothers, sisters, aunts, and fathers —work side-by-side daily. And within our 150 team members, several generations of other families also call Crystal Plaza Group home—some have even found love inside the Crystal Plaza walls. It is because of this incredibly unique, intimate family unit and dedicated group that we have been able to go above and beyond for our clients for the last century.

Our team treats our guests like family. With keen attention to detail and high expectations for our talent, we strive to make every guest feel special. We understand what it means to want what you want for your wedding or event. There’s no need to compromise on any of it, as every single aspect of our catering and events is customized. And while a classic palate will never go out of style, we continue to innovate to expand our fresh and modern offerings.

This distinctive flexibility and distinguished level of service has made us proud to produce events for multiple generations of families in our community and beyond—from weddings and bat/bar mitzvahs to private events and corporate affairs. Our elegant Crystal Plaza venue houses three separate kitchens for non-kosher, kosher and glatt kosher catering, and we offer a full range of services both on- and off-premises to further provide guests choices that suit their individual styles and beliefs.

There’s no one-size-fits-all here. Welcome to our family.

Crystal Plaza Group has been at the heart of family memories throughout the years.

Crystal Plaza Group has been at the heart of family memories throughout the years. From “I dos” to “mazel tovs,” our family owned and operated catering and event production business has had one intention from the very beginning: to go above and beyond to make you feel special on your day. We are dedicated to making dreams come true. It is this contagious enthusiasm for elevating and producing exquisite events that continues to drive our fresh ideas and love of the work each year. Please be our guest and peruse our Crystal Plaza Group history and milestones for over 100 years.

Major mazels are in order

Timeline and History

1917 October

Max Janoff (grandfather of Allan Janoff and great-grandfather of Max and Hunter Janoff), an immigrant from Russia who came to the U.S. in his teens, establishes Alpine Caterers. Its venue opens at Clinton Avenue in Newark, New Jersey, and offers kosher catering.

|

1933 January

Alpine Caterers’ venue moves to a new location in Newark, New Jersey next to the Roosevelt Theatre.

|

1941 July

Harold Janoff returns from serving in the U.S. Army in World War II, and joins his father Max at Alpine Caterers.

|

1948 March

The Alpine Caterers venue makes a strategic move to Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, New Jersey to enter the “suburban” market, a business decision that would prove to be ahead of its time.

|

1959 March

From the time he was 11 years old, Harold’s son Allan began helping out on weekends, working alongside both his father and grandfather.

|

1965 January

The company opens a new event venue on Northfield Avenue in Livingston, New Jersey. Dorothy Janoff names it Crystal Plaza for its 30-plus crystal chandeliers. The elegant building was originally constructed as a residence by Architect Stanford White, who designed the original Madison Square Garden and arch in Washington Square Park. Later, it became a restaurant space before the Janoff family took it over.

|

1971 July

The Alpine venue in Maplewood is closed permanently to focus all resources on Crystal Plaza venue.

|

1976 – 1979 July

Allan Janoff officially takes ownership of the family business while continuing to work closely with his father and grandfather. Tragically, both passed away a few years later, at which time, Allan’s sister Ronni joined. She has remained an integral part of the family business.

|

1991 January

The New York Giants host a post-Super Bowl victory party at the Crystal Plaza. Coach Bill Parcells (a.k.a. The Big Tuna), Hall of Fame Linebacker Lawrence Taylor, Quarterback Phil Simms and Super Bowl MVP Ottis Anderson headline the star-studded celebration that makes news headlines across the country.

|

1995

Crystal Plaza undergoes massive renovations including the construction of a new grand ballroom with a capacity of 400 guests and a dance floor for private events.

|

1999 December

Glatt kosher and non-kosher kitchens are built within Crystal Plaza to accommodate glatt kosher, kosher and non-kosher affairs under one roof.

|

2002 September

On the 1-year anniversary of 9/11, Crystal Plaza hosts an emotional ceremony and reception for a true hero: an FDNY firefighter who was badly burned while responding to the attack on our nation. He is finally able to fulfill the promise he made to his fiancée prior to the attack, and personally redefines that day in history by being married amongst friends, family and fellow firemen in our gardens.

|

2012 November

Just one day after Hurricane Sandy ripped through the entire northeast, the Crystal Plaza team is able to pull off a miracle. Without any power or gas and under extraordinary circumstances, our team hosts a candlelit wedding in the parking lot. Guests rave at the outcome.

|

2015 July

Crystal Plaza is honored by The Knot as a “Hall of Fame” venue and makes the wedding magazine’s “Best of Weddings” list for the 10th consecutive year.

|

2016 December

Crystal Plaza Caterers re-brands to Crystal Plaza Group, which becomes the parent company for Crystal Plaza and Alpine Kosher Catering, placing a larger emphasis on the growth and strategy behind Alpine’s off-premise services in the tai-state area.

|

2020 October

During the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, Crystal Plaza Group invested in their future by completing a historic expansion of the property creating 13,000 square feet of new amenity and event space for future affairs.

---

A Note from the Janoff Family

It is with great pride and appreciation that we dedicate this brief history to our loyal current, former and future clients, many of whom have returned, often bringing back others to share their joy. We are grateful for our guests who came to us as virtual strangers and left as dear friends and loyal patrons. So, thank you for your confidence in us, and for allowing us to help you create memories—in many cases, at the start of a next chapter in your life stories.