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Richard Lange

Remembering Richard Lange

August 16, 2024 by Ronni Diamondstein

Whenever you walked into Lange’s Little Store in Chappaqua, Richard Lange would greet you with a big smile and his twinkling eyes, and he was always at your service. Whether the store was busy or not, he took the time to chat and ask how you were doing. He always had time for his customers and neighbors.

Richard Lange, best known as the owner of Lange’s Little Store and Deli in Chappaqua, passed away on April 9, 2024. He was 87 years old and is survived by his wife Christa, his daughters Vicki (Bergstrom) and Heidi and his granddaughter Madelyn Bergstrom and her fiancé David Anderson III. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Charlie Bergstrom. Lange was born in Wanna, Germany on Dec. 22,1936 and grew up on his grandparents’ farm. He immigrated to the United States in 1956 and served briefly in the United States Army. In 1968, the family settled in Chappaqua where Lange owned The Little Store. He and Mrs. Lange opened Lange’s Deli in Scarsdale in the mid-1970s, and in Bronxville in the 1980s. They returned to their Chappaqua store in 1989 where it became a focal point in the town.

Lange’s motto was “You need something, I’ll help.” With his warm smile and great laugh Lange touched so many lives from the daily regulars to the store, to very young people, returning college students, and first-time visitors.

A welcoming personality…

Town of New Castle Supervisor Victoria B. Tipp wrote, “Mr. Lange, through the force of his unique personality, created a haven, a second home where people gathered to catch up, have impromptu meetings, and run into friends, neighbors, and familiar faces. He remembered everyone and would chat about what mattered to them. During my years on the school board, he would always ask ‘so, how are the schools doing?’ and had detailed questions about current projects and happenings. Upon learning of my new role with the town, he would simply say with raised eyebrows ‘so…how’s everything?’ and would always listen with great interest and patience.”

A helping hand…

Beth Kuck Hundgen, owner of Whispering Pines of Chappaqua will never forget the day her store caught fire. “It was a devastating moment, watching everything I had worked for go up in flames. But, in the midst of that chaos, one person stood out for his kindness and compassion, Mr. Lange. As I stood outside, feeling helpless and overwhelmed, Mr. Lange appeared by my side. Without hesitation, he rolled up his sleeves and began helping me salvage what we could from the burning building. As we worked together, I couldn’t help but notice the tears in his eyes. He wasn’t just helping me; he was feeling my pain, too. His empathy and concern for my well-being meant the world to me! Mr. Lange’s selflessness and kindness didn’t stop that day. He continued to support me and the community in countless ways, always willing to lend a helping hand or listening ear.”

A generous soul…

George Haletzky, a manager of Lange’s Little Store for 30 years, has known Lange since his childhood, and has fond memories of learning the ropes from Lange. “He took you under his wing and he’d teach you if you wanted to learn. He was a wealth of knowledge. He tried to keep this store like a family atmosphere.” Haletzky cited that most employees have worked there for many years. “The most important thing was the customers,” said Haletzky. Lange, who knew everybody’s name, encouraged his staff to talk to the customers and get to know them as well. “Mr. Lange saw many generations come through here, and always said that the children were the future. He always talked to the kids.” Lange donated to all the sports programs in town. “He was one of the most generous people you’d ever meet in your life, between giving you goodies and actually caring about you.”

A wise man…

Longtime Chappaqua resident Don Roane has known Lange since the Lange family moved to Chappaqua in 1968. “Richie was very appreciative of this country,” said Roane. “Having seen loss and hunger at the end of World War II in Europe, that impacted Richie in the way he lived and treated people. He was wise in his ability to see things. When he saw hunger, he did something about it. He took care of his family, and he took care of yours too. We need more people like Richard Lange. They make the world a better place.”

A man of grace…

At a Celebration of Life Service on April 21 at The First Congregational Church in Chappaqua, his daughter Vicki said, “My father was a wonderful person. He treated everyone the same. He was everyone’s Opa. He was selfless. He loved to give and expected nothing in return. He was the most down to earth person.” Reverend Martha Jacobs spoke of Lange as a mensch (the Yiddish word for a good person) and all the mitzvahs (good deeds) that he was known for, and that he had dignity and a generosity of spirit.

Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe called Lange Chappaqua’s rebbe–the one who serves as the spiritual and emotional nerve center of the community whose mission is to care for the well-being of each-and-every person in the neighborhood. “No one brought us together like Mr. Lange,” said Jaffe to the nearly 700 people of all faiths and backgrounds who filled the church.

Hillary Rodham Clinton said that Lange, “left us a great legacy of love.” President Bill Clinton credited Lange as the big reason he has spent the last 25 years in Chappaqua and spoke of Lange’s compassion and the way he treated people. He said that Lange’s life was uncommonly grateful and graceful. “He was incredibly graceful in all the ways that count. As for me and our house, we are grateful for the grace he showered on us.” The same could be said by all who knew and loved Richard Lange.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Hillary Clinton, Krista and Richard Lange, Lange's Deli, Lange's Little Store and Deli, President Bill Clinton, Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe, Rev. Martha Jacobs, Richard Lange, Town of New Castle, Victoria Tipp

Lange’s Little Store and Deli: A Beloved Community Treasure Celebrates 50 Years

August 25, 2017 by Dana Y. Wu

In 1965, Richard and Christa Lange moved with their daughters, Vicki and Heidi, to Crest Road. Mr. Lange took over the existing “The Little Store and Deli,” put his name on the sign (“Lange” rhymes with “bang”) and started serving the fresh, homemade classics that are still favorites. Mr. Lange’s successful enterprises over the years included stores in New Jersey, Scarsdale and Bronxville, but this community eatery has remained at the top of the hill on King Street since Vicki started kindergarten in Chappaqua.

What is “Lange’s secret sauce” for 50 years of success?  “We just make the best homemade, great quality deli food that we can,” says Vicki.

Since 1967, there are daily fresh selections, great sandwiches and cheerful company.  Starting at six a.m., Lange’s is packed solid with breakfast crowd regulars who grab their coffees, bagels, muffins and bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches to go.  At lunch, groups of Horace Greeley High School students text in their orders (914-506-5388) and their hearty sandwiches are ready to devour when they arrive.

(L-R): Richard Lange, Christa Lange, Maddi Bergstrom and Vicki Bergstrom

There is always chicken cordon bleu on Thursday, fish on Fridays, and daily fresh roasted turkey and homemade chicken noodle soup to hit the spot. The savory, comfort food in the steam table is very popular with the crews of construction, landscaping and painters who appreciate the ample parking for their vehicles and a chance to fuel up on savory lunch specials such as tasty burritos, rice, ribs, meatloaf and jerk chicken.

Parents also love to pick up delicious items for healthy dinners. Favorite options include broasted chicken (“we use a special pressure cooker so it is crispy but not greasy”), mashed potatoes, split pea soup, eggplant parmesan, and even Cornish hen. There are various great salads (kale, chicken, spa tuna, egg, cucumber or fruit) and flavorful sides. “Lange’s was our second kitchen while we were renovating ours,” attests one grateful mom.

As Hillary Rodham Clinton said in 2016, “Lange’s is Bill’s and my favorite neighborhood spot. The only thing better than the coffee and sandwiches is getting to catch up with all the friends who drift in and out all day long.” Mr. Lange is known to share laughs with customers, especially making sure all kids always leave full and happy.  The managers, Rich and George, have been at Lange’s for more than 25 years and their staff will make anything for customers (“people ask for avocado a lot these days”).  They fulfill many catering orders for events and holidays such as Thanksgiving with all the trimmings. Families love wings for their Super Bowl parties (“always big orders if it is a home team that is playing”), and load up with signature sandwiches, pickles and chips for car trips.

“‘Stay in your own lane’ is a good way to describe what we do. We have four cooks who start at seven a.m. to make everything fresh. Generations of families come here and they know they are going to get the food they remember. I always make sure we have the sides–cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, ambrosia salad, the custard and jello –that everyone loved” says Vicki, who demurs that she “just works here like everyone else.”

Remembering how she used to buy Levi’s jeans at Family Britches, got ice cream at Lickety Split, and shopped at the Old Colony as a kid, Vicki is hopeful about the new infrastructure and streetscape projects in downtown Chappaqua. “More people walking around, more restaurants in town, it’s all good for us. You become your own competition to be the best that you can be.” Vicki offers that Lange’s will be improving its seating since customers like to linger to chat or use the WiFi and sprucing up with new paint soon.

Not only is Lange’s truly a beloved local business, it also makes a difference in the community by quietly supporting organizations with generous donations of wraps for fundraisers, food at Thanksgiving and Christmas for families in need, meeting space for Habitat for Humanity and hosting Empty Bowls volunteers. There are many stories over the years of how Mr. Lange has refused payment for coffee for ambulance volunteers or provided sandwich trays for local non-profit events.

As a 50-year-old institution, Lange’s has shared in a myriad of joys and sorrows with its loyal diners.  Every day, its “old-fashioned goodness” continues to shine out though, greeting hungry, loyal customers (and celebrities) who come to the top of the hill for Lange’s always friendly hospitality and deeply satisfying menu.

Dana Y. Wu is a freelance writer and a local Chappaqua mom who appreciates having Lange’s at the top of the hill.


What Chappaqua Moms say … “What is your favorite thing about Lange’s?”

  • “The South Greeley”
  • “Roast beef, with cheddar and BBQ sauce on onion roll”
  • “Green chicken panini”
  • “Vicki is my favorite person!”
  • “Toasted and scooped everything bagel with egg whites, bacon, cheese, ketchup, salt and pepper… please..”
  • “The Betty–chicken cutlet with tomato, mozzarella, basil”
  • “Sometimes my husband and I lie in bed and talk about how delicious their macaroni salad is. Okay, not really. Except sometimes, really.”
  • “We love their egg sandwiches!!”
  • “My kids love their Philly cheesesteaks!!”
  • “Fresh turkey lettuce tomato with Russian dressing on pumpernickel bread.”
  • “Grilled cheese with chicken cutlet and bacon on white in the panini press.”
  • “The Cuban sandwich for sure.”
  • “Turkey on toasted rye with Russian dressing and cole slaw. Extra on both the dressing and slaw.
  • “Chicken cutlet on a roll with cole slaw and Russian.”
  • “Everything is delicious at Lange’s but if you ask my son, he will say that his favorite thing is seeing Mr. Lange!”

Filed Under: Lifestyles with our Sponsors Tagged With: 50th Anniversary, Chappaqua, Christa Lange, Community Treasure, Lange's Little Store and Deli, New Castle, Richard Lange, Vicki Bergstrom Lange

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