“I was running the Provision Company when my wife, Brooke, became pregnant with our son, Axley, and being able to be home at night became a priority. It took a little while, but when this became available, we jumped at it. My mom and stepdad, Dawn and Harley, were really encouraging. Our daughter, Stella, was born shortly after we bought it.

Being a contributing part of the community and getting to know and care about our customers was important to me, and that turned out to be a family affair. My Aunt Gwen, my mother-in-law Cheryl, my kids’ babysitter Anna, Brooke (who helped me manage the Provision Company) and her sister Courtney, all work here, along with other long-time employees who are like family. Today is Axley’s first day helping out, and Stella and her friend are here today too.

We serve Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, and the breads are excellent, the best I can find. Our produce guy is my best friend’s brother, and it’s always top quality. Our tuna, chicken, egg and potato salads, and pimento cheese, are made fresh from our secret recipes. We have 32 signature sandwiches, and our soup and half-sandwich combo is very popular.

Most of the art on the walls is by Roger Tatum, a customer who I didn’t know was an artist until I saw his work at a festival. We donate food and gift certificates for local non-profit fundraisers and things like nurses’ and teachers’ appreciation weeks. And we do a lot of catering; just about every day a school or business will email or fax in a big order, and we’ll deliver.

There are a lot of customers we see every day or at least several days a week, and we miss them when we don’t see them. They are as much of a part of this place as I am, and they mean a lot to us. We serve a lot of people every day, and it can’t just be about the financial outcome. At the end of each day, it’s the people I saw that day that matters, and that gives the day meaning. So come see us and become a part of the Lockwood Folly Deli family!”