ST. LOUIS – For nearly five decades, Mom’s Deli off of Jamieson and Lansdowne avenues in south St. Louis has been a mainstay for many. But come Sunday, their doors will be closed.
Customers weren’t deterred by temperatures in the 20s during lunch hour Friday.
“I don’t live down here anymore but…for almost 20 years, we would walk down here when it was close,” customer Matt Suellentrop said. “Even though it sounds like they’re going to try and find a new spot, you have to come down to the original one more time.”
The spot first opened in 1977 in the Lindenwood Park Neighborhood by Charles and Dolores Vago. Since then, the family-owned spot for hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and desserts have drawn crowds since.
“It’s worth the freezing cold to wait out here because they’ve got the best sandwiches,” Carole Fogarty said. “You hate to see it go because it is a staple and classic. Been coming here a while and had to get one more sandwich in.”
Another customer, Thom Molen, added, “My first communion, we got the big party sandwich. Anytime my uncles come into town, they’ve got two places they want to go, and it’s Mom’s Deli and Ted Drewes. I felt like I had to come here before they closed.”
Sunday is Mom’s Deli official last day. The owners say their lease is not being renewed, but they’re working to find another location to open at and continue making familiar favorites.
“You don’t normally see any place with 47 years in one location,” Grace Timmermann said. “So hopefully they find a new place.”