The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/27737
Neighborhood Delis Personalized service and specialty items are not a thing of the past Story and photos by Karen Miritello HOMETOWN DELI 61 Spruce St., Oneonta 432-5151 CUSTOMER BASE: College students, Center Street elementary students, vacationing families and Center City residents. SIGNATURE ITEMS: Submarine sandwiches, microbrews and fresh meats. REASON TO SHOP HERE: It’s the same great neighborhood shop it’s been since it was known as “Woody’s” before owner Don Scanlon bought it and changed its name three years ago. Scanlon also added an expanded meat counter and brought in his cadre of daughters, who help out at the counter with a friendliness that can’t be beat. After hopping up the six-step entrance to Hometown Deli, custom- ers generally head directly to the deli counter or peruse the three-aisle selection of goods that include one of the best selections of microbrew- ery beers around. An entire aisle is devoted to beer stock, offering an impressive assortment of both local and international selections, and a large selection is refrigerated for immediate gratification. Submarine sandwiches are a long-standing specialty of this corner store, too, which offers Boars Head brand meats on a distinctive roll. “It’s the bread,” says Reuben Wilde, a usual lunchtime patron. Slightly crusty and a bit on the chewy side, these subs make a satisfying sand- wich. Hometown Deli bakes up rolls six or more times a day, and subs are often prepared while the bread is still warm. “Our oven has a capacity to do six rolls at a time,” explained owner Don Scanlon, “but that means they are always fresh.” Scanlon is also credited for offering fresh meats, which he butchers _ he processes over 150 pounds of ground chuck each week. “I learned to cut meat at Bruno’s Meat Market, and did that for over 10 years,” he said. “I’m the last of the butchers.” ON A PERSONAL NOTE: Three cheers for Wanda, who only recently retired from the counter at Hometown Deli. Wanda was a holdover from the Woody’s Market days and gave regulars a sense of continuity when the business changed hands. This feisty lady with the white hair and tattoos had some definite opinions and didn’t mind sharing them. She correctly identified the gender of my unborn child (boy, when I was sure it was a girl) and was also known to correct any unruly behavior happening in her presence - all while efficiently waiting on customers. Hometown Deli employee Cody Gibson straightens shelves of beer. 16 O-Town Scene March 24, 2011 When it’s just not possible or desirable to shop in a super-sized store, there is an alternative _ the neighborhood grocery. These great little shops typically offer all of life’s necessities (milk, eggs, bread, beer, toothpaste), but also offer specialty products and personalized service not found anywhere else. Check out these four Oneonta businesses and find out why the neighborhood grocery might just be the best buy in town.