After a twist of fate, Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen announced that it will, in fact, remain open in Ocean City.
“Okay everyone, so here goes,” began the traditional, kosher-style deli in an Oct. 23 Facebook post. Rosenfeld’s shared it will be staying put in its present resort town location through Labor Day of 2024.
“Oh, I hate it. I wanted to be retired,” joked owner Warren Rosenfeld when asked of the deli’s abrupt plan to stick around. A smile spread across Rosenfeld’s face as he described his resort town deli — a funky, old beach house. “It’s like a badge of honor to eat here.”
“I’m very happy that we don’t have to leave here,” Rosenfeld said. “How could I be upset that so many people love us, so many people think that we’re an essential part of the community? I’m just thrilled about it.”
The deli now features a new sign that reads, “Never mind, we are staying open,” for all to see.
Rosenfeld admits to not having put a tremendous amount of time in at his original 2013 Ocean City location for the past five years. More often than not, he would find himself at the deli’s additional locations in Rehoboth Beach and South Bethany. Rosenfeld’s also operates a spot in North Wilmington.
“I had kind of lost sight of what we meant to the (Ocean City) community,” Rosenfeld said. “It’s not about dollars and cents. It’s about affecting peoples’ lives in a good way.”
“Our landlord, Steve Carullo was so moved by the outpouring of emotion and well wishes from you, our customers, that he contacted me on Friday to see if there was some way to keep us in business in OC,” Rosenfeld’s said on Facebook. “This all came together very unexpectedly, and in the past 48 hours.”
Carullo also owns Dead Freddie’s, a popular Ocean City staple, which sits beside the deli. The landlord has postponed demolition of the building at 6301 Coastal Highway until at least October of 2024, as well as reached an agreement with Rosenfeld’s to pay for a large portion of much needed repairs to the building and deli equipment.
“Please show your appreciation by going to eat at Dead Freddie’s on 64th Street. Thanks Steve and thanks to all of the good folks at Dead Freddie’s,” Rosenfeld’s said.
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This comes after the deli had announced its impending closure on Sept. 18.
In a Facebook post, Rosenfeld’s said its original location was to close permanently Oct. 24. It then proceeded to reassure devoted patrons that the business was healthy and fine, and the Ocean City location was not closing due to lack of business.
The post went on to state that the eatery’s lease was up for the fourth time. Rosenfeld’s was, at the time, being offered an 11-month extension and nothing more. Economically it did not make sense to the deli to continue in that location.
Many customers stopped by Rosenfeld’s over the weekend for what they thought was their last bite of food. One loyal deli patron drove over four hours from Hagerstown in the rain just to say goodbye. Well, and pack a cooler with $200 worth of mouth-watering sandwiches too.
“As the owner, how could I not be amazed at that?” Rosenfeld said.
Saturday, Oct. 22, was the deli’s biggest day in the past three years.
“It was like attending your own wake,” Rosenfeld said. “The people telling you how great you are, how much they love you. It was nice to open the coffin and sit up and say ‘I’m alive!’
Little did each of Warren Rosenfeld’s grieving customers know, he had some good news up his sleeve. Now, Rosenfeld’s is celebrating its unexpected but happy reopening.
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Those who stop in to purchase a sandwich on Monday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. will receive a free chicken noodle soup, courtesy of the deli. The deli will then close for three days before reopening on Friday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m.
“Come celebrate with us on Monday from 11-5,” Rosenfeld’s said. “We’re staying open! Yay!”
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.
