New strip mall owner’s plans will force closure of Poughkeepsie’s Take 5 Deli

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POUGHKEEPSIE – For more than 38 years, the Take 5 Deli, across from City Hall in Poughkeepsie has been serving food to people from every walk of life.  Michael Signorelli and his wife Ann have been serving what Mayor Rob Rolison calls “best darn roast beef around” but will be permanently closing on August 16.

The strip mall in which Take 5 is located has been purchased by Page Park Associates and the new owners have other, yet-to-be-discussed plans for the parcel located at the corner of the westbound arterial and Civic Center Plaza.

Mayor Rolison called the closing “a loss – kind of a personal loss too” as he recalled how his late father, Senator Jay Rolison was there almost every day to eat.

“He was over there all the time and Mike and Ann always looked out for my father, especially after my mom passed away. Linda Young, who was the cook there for years, always cooked for my dad.” The mayor called the Signorelli family “just good people and we’re going to miss them.”

Marty Fralick, a longtime customer of the deli was told of the closing and called it “the last hometown mom and pop deli in the area.  I will surely miss it and I wish Mike and Ann the best as they start the next chapter of their lives.”

Signorelli said the Page brothers came in after they closed the real estate deal at the end of June and asked the deli owner to be out by July 31.  He told them that the date was too close and the brothers agreed to let him stay until mid-August.

“It’s emotional,” said Signorelli as he talked of all of the friendships he has made in almost 40 years behind the counter.

The deli is a common gathering place for lawyers, judges, politicians, business people, and blue collar workers. In addition to the deli business, Signorelli has catered for many events.

Signorelli, behind the counter

“I’ve fed people for their entire lives,” said Signorelli as he took a break from the morning rush. “I’ve catered baptisms, birthdays, sweet 16s, graduations, and weddings for families.  I’ve watched children grow up and become parents themselves,”

Signorelli says that he has told about a quarter of his customer base of the closing and is now telling everyone.  In a brief letter being handed to customers, a portion of which reads “Ann and I would like to thank all of our customers for your loyalty and support throughout the years” and continues with “Thank you to all of the young families that bring their children in to the deli and tell them this is where we came to eat as kids,” Signorelli said that he’s ready for the next chapter of his life.




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