By Curtis D. Tucker, Enid Buzz | Sunday, July 31, 2016
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ENID, Okla. - It's not often that a place called "Crappy's" would be thought of as the place to be. But in Enid, Oklahoma that name has always been synonymous with fun and people having a good time. An era came to an end Saturday night near downtown Enid, as Crappy's Warehouse served its last drink as a nightclub hot spot.
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Gerald "Crappy" Craparotta and his wife Judy have been running the club since the early 2000's. It has always been the place to go for Vance airmen and local regulars. Radio personality, Alan Clepper, could be found spinning the tunes on the weekends and the dance floor was normally packed wall to wall.
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Many local residents never knew that you could get one the best burgers in town right there in the club. The world famous Crappy Burger has been a hit with patrons for years. Crappy doesn't reveal how he makes the tasty burgers but he will tell you the secret ingredients are barbecue sauce, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke and Nature’s Seasoning.
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The building itself, located at 302 E. Maple, sits right next to the railroad track and just on the edge of the downtown area. The building has been home to places like Hill Moving and Storage, Warehouse #12 Tavern, The Casbah, Morgan Burton Warehouse, Augie's, Cherry Tree Lounge, JT Grizzly's and Crappy's Warehouse.
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Crappy's Warehouse has been the place to go for Halloween parties, St. Patrick's Day, New Years Eve, birthday parties and many other special events. Recently Craparotta announced that the end of July 2016 would be the last weekend for the nightclub. During the last weekend, the club was filled with new friends and many, many old friends that stopped by to tell Crappy's good-bye.
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The place was packed with memories, from photos on the wall to the names carved into the wood. Many couples had made long lasting memories at the club, some meeting their spouses there while others had a first date there. You can still find many of the names carved into the wooden railings and along the bar. One couple requested the wooden hand railing that had their names carved into it when they had first met.
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Fortunately this story has a happy ending. The Craparotta's aren't packing it in just yet. They are transforming from nightclub back to restaurant. Many local residents will remember when Crappy opened Louisa's Ristorante Italiano at 220 N. Independence, where Callahan's is now. He ran that restaurant from 1994 to 2000.
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Cooking has always been in Crapppy's blood and he passed that passion onto his son Justin, who started working in the family business after being a chef in other local eateries. The dynamic cooking duo have decided to go back to their roots and are looking into opening an Italian restaurant/steakhouse. The location will be in the same building after doing some major renovations.
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The family is not ready to divulge the name of the restaurant but they hope to be serving the public by early Fall 2016. We'll keep you informed as Craparotta and Mike Klemme continue to transform the E. Maple area into Enid's most happening spot.
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Crappy enjoying one last evening with friends Todd and Christie Wheeler.
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Crappy's Warehouse Closes The Doors But...
That’s awesome we need a good Italian/steakhouse back in Enid as crappy makes an awesome steak too
I’m happy to hear that you are still going to be a thriving business. Enid wins with you in the kitchen! Congrats and Good luck to you!
My parents had a restaurant in that building in the late 1970’s called “Augie’s”. Lot’s of great memories!
Thanks! We were trying to remember what that was called.
I am so happy to hear about their new restaurant and business venture! Crappy and Judy are the best! I first met them in the early 80’s when we all worked at Chapter VII, a Disco night club. A lot of fond memories for me. Best of luck, Crappy and Judy!