On Sunday, March 31, the iconic deli, which has locations in Millburn, Morristown, Montclair and Westfield, told customers on Facebook it was being sold to Jersey Mike's.
Customers freaked out until the deli, a Millburn institution since 1946, revealed the ruse.
"We apologize for the scare and thank you for all the love," the deli wrote. "Millburn Deli has and always will be the Millburn Deli. Don't take your hanger out on our employees this week."
And yes, the deli acknowledged they were early for the traditional day of pranks.
"We got you good," the deli said.
Customers admitted the initial news made them very upset.
"While I think this was a great joke … it also made me really sad thinking of the possibility it was true," one Facebook commenter said.
"Thank goodness," another commenter wrote. "Funny not funny though. Well now you know how we all feel. We had a collective heart attack."
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