With its pickle barrel out front under the window, a weighing scale that greets patrons when they enter, and a décor reminiscent of old style delis, Old Town Delicatessen brings something new and unique to 3rd Street downtown.
“We’ve been watching the place for months,” said Debbie, having lunch with her friend, Suzie, the first week Old Town opened. “It’s a great use of this space.”
Located in a late 19th century building across the street from the Capitol, Old Town opened in May at 512 N. 3rd St. Owners Ron and Julie Gilbertson spent more than six months renovating the first-floor space.
“I think it’s definitely serving a need,” said Suzie, who, like Debbie, works at a nearby office. They declined to give their last names, they said, to avoid hurting the proprietors of their regular noontime haunts.
A Philadelphia native, Ron has worked in the food industry, but having a business he owns is the realization of a dream.
“I’m very excited,” he said, looking at Julie, a Re/Max realtor. “I always say you’ve got to have the support.”
“He pretty much wanted to be his own boss,” said Julie, who grew up in Mechanicsburg.
The couple relaxed after another busy lunch at one of the tables. With the dark-wood ladder-back chairs, mocha-colored walls and antique lighting, everything looks fresh and new, yet old fashioned.
“We picked out everything ourselves; lots of hours at Lowes,” Julie said. “We agreed on everything.”
Ron joked. “She picked it out and I said, ‘Looks great to me, honey.’”
The dinning room seats 11 and has café seating outside, where diners can enjoy an impressive view of the Capitol. They expect to have their website up soon.
Ron chose Boar’s Head meats and cheeses for his menu of specialty sandwiches and salads. The company sent a chef in to show Ron how to prepare items, such as making sure there’s just the right amount of ham and cheese on the pretzel roll.
“Boar’s Head has been great,” he said, and noted items he believes make the deli standout among the city’s eateries. “Utz is my favorite potato chip, so we have Utz.”
Old Town also serves breakfast – fresh bagels, muffins, fruit, soufflé-strata – and home made soups. His choice of coffee is from Longbottom Coffee and Tea in Hillsboro, Oregon, which air roasts its beans.
Ron even has old fashioned bicycles to deliver orders in a limited area downtown.
If the first four days of opening is any indication, the Gilbertsons can expect success. Old Town has stayed open well past its afternoon closing time, said Julie. “People have been coming in and we’ve been serving them.”
Old Town Deli, 512 N. 3rd St., is open 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mon-Fri. 717- 856-8432.
