Douglaston Deli Owner's Son to Take Over Business

The long-time owner of the Douglaston Deli will hand over the reins to his son, who has worked at the store for nearly two decades, later this month.

Matt Walters said he will be co-owner of the deli with current partner Robert Brancato when his father, Richard Walters, retires after 44 years of operating the store.

“I’ve been there for 19 years,” said Matt Walters, who currently acts as manager of the deli. “I’m 34 years old and it’s the only job I’ve ever had.”

Richard Walters purchased the deli in 1969, at which time it was approximately six years old.

“He taught me all about how quality is the main thing,” said Matt Walters, who started at the deli as a stock boy. “All these years, people keep coming back to us.”

He said the store’s most popular item has long been its potato salad.

“The main thing people come in for is our homemade potato salad,” he said. “We boil the potatoes and hand peel them in an old school way that’s not done much anymore. But we sell a lot of sandwiches and soups as well.”

For more information on the deli, visit its Twitter page.