Deli celebrates its 25th
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers FABULOUS FEAST--Italia Deli & Bakery owner Michael De Giosa displays a party patter during a busy morning at the shop.

Michael De Giosa says he knows more than half of his customers by name. And considering the crowd that gathers at lunchtime and the constant flow of people throughout the day, that's a lot of people.

De Giosa runs Italia Deli and Bakery in Agoura Hills with his brother and two sisters. His parents, born in Bari, Italia, came to the store last week to help make special pastries for the holidays. This year, the De Giosas are celebrating their store's 25th anniversary in the community.

"In 1971, my father and uncle opened up Italia Bakery and Deli in Granada Hills," De Giosa said. "Ten years later, my father told my uncle he'd like to open up another store. My uncle said, 'Sure, just as long as it's 60 miles away.' Friends of ours said Agoura Hills was an up-and-coming area. . . .We've been here ever since."

Local residents took notice, and the deli's popularity began to grow. At lunchtime, patrons must wait patiently in line to order a fresh sandwich or a specialty salad.

The store carries a wide selection of Italian and domestic groceries, meats, cheeses and wine. The De Giosas also make fresh sauces, lasagnas and other pasta dishes.

"I think what we are really known for is that every single morning we bake fresh bread from scratch," De Giosa said. "It's a complete art compared to a science."

The store demands long hard hours, but in 1995 the owners and employees received stunning news that changed their lives forever. Fifteen workers at Italia Deli, including De Giosa and his family members, won the California Lottery. The group split $29 million.

"It allowed a lot of us young people at the time to purchase homes; a lot of people bought cars, vacations," De Giosa said. "Most (of the employees) left within a few months; a few stayed a year, but of course we stayed.

"This business is part of us--we grew up here," De Giosa added. "People were really concerned we were going to close, but we assured them we weren't."

Perhaps there's more to the deli's popularity than just great food or the fact that they won the lottery. The De Giosa family has contributed to the community in many ways--after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, for example.

"The majority of businesses were closed, so all day we were getting them all kinds of water, soda and anything else they needed," De Giosa said. "We let them just run through the store and pay at the door. That day, we had about 40 people in front of the store in line all day long."

Today, the work ethic at the deli is as strong as ever.

"We are a family-run business with all of us family members doing our part," De Giosa said. "My father instilled a work ethic in each of us that is second to none. I catch myself doing the same with my two young children, Dominic and Sophia. 'Work first, play second.' They giggle at me, but I am sure they will catch  on someday."

Perhaps after another 25 years, Dominic and Sophia will be baking the bread for the long line of customers who come at noon for their sandwiches and salads.