Maryann Lacovara and her husband Bill have opened Ventnor Produce & Deli at the site of the former Dorset Avenue Wawa. Her she arranges pineapple, the symbol of hospitality.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – There’s still one less place to get a good cup of coffee, but a store the Ventnor Heights community has been clamoring for has finally returned to the corner of Calvert and Dorset Avenues.
Ventnor Heights residents lamented the closing of the Wawa store in September 2017 and often took to social media to say they wanted a convenience store back in their neighborhood. Posters made suggestions about what would work best for the location but up until three weeks ago, they were left without a convenient place to get fresh produce and groceries.
Ventnor Heights residents Maryann Lacovara and her husband Bill, who was deputy chief of the Ventnor City Fire Department before he retired in 2001, purchased the building, but Wawa restrictions prevented the site from being a convenience store for several years. They still can’t sell coffee or make sandwiches like Wawa did, but that chance will come in the new year, Maryann Lacovera said.
Their first iteration of the former convenience store was to turn it into a single indoor pickleball court and offer lessons, which worked for a time until larger venues with multiple courts got into the act. Indoor pickleball facilities with multiple courts opened around the corner on Wellington Avenue and at the former Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township.
“We wanted a deli right away but settled on pickleball until all the others opened up. That’s when we decided we needed a change,” she said.
The Lacovaras are now offering what the Heights area needs. Ventnor Produce and Deli is a convenient place to get cold cuts, grocery items and lots of fresh produce in a flash.
On Tuesday afternoon, the flow of customers was steady.
“We only opened three weeks ago, and traffic has been picking up. Once the kids get out of school, we expect to be busier,” she said.
When the Dorset Avenue bridge opens several times a day, traffic backs up all the way to Wellington Avenue. Lacovara has noticed that instead of just waiting for traffic to start flowing again, motorists swing around and stop in the store to pick up a few things.
Those things include lots of Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables, a complete line of Dietz & Watson cold cuts and artisan cheeses, barrel pickles, fresh pizza dough, Italian bread from two local bakeries – Rando’s in Atlantic City and Liscio’s in Glassboro – and complete lines of Italian pastas and sauces from Rosa’s and Spanish products from Goya.
“We are adding more and more every week. Today, it was local honey from Creekside Farms in Absecon,” Lacovara said. “We even have s’mores kits for the kids to fire up during barbeques.”
Peter S. Tacco, a member of the city’s Planning Board who lives in the neighborhood, said he likes the store.
“It’s nice and clean. I looked around and they have a nice selection, and the prices are comparable to the bigger stores. It’s great to have this here as a convenience,” he said. “I can’t wait until they make coffee and sandwiches.”
That will start in January when the Wawa restriction expires, Lacovara said.
Ventnor Produce & Deli is opened at the site of the former Dorset Avenue Wawa.
Large tables constructed by Bill Lacovara and his buddy, Ron Strickland, also of Ventnor, display all the produce, which is delivered several times a week from 1
st Choice Produce in Philadelphia.
“He deserves a lot of credit for all the work he did,” Maryann Lacovera said about Strickland.
Because most produce stores sell their products pre-packaged in bags containing more quantity than some people need, Lacovara also offers sections where customers can pick their own according to their needs.
More produce offerings will come as the growing season in New Jersey progresses.
“We are looking for local farmers to provide customers with Jersey Fresh corn and tomatoes during the height of season,” Lacovara said.
The store currently employs 17 people, some full-time and others part-time.
Wendi Sica and Bruno Piantadosi work the deli counter.
Store employees slice cold cuts on demand and make some of the deli salads, such as feta and tomato salad, mozzarella and fruit salads, and soon cucumber salad. Others are ready to check out customers with a smile or help with selections.
Another local maker, Willow’s Way, is providing homemade pints of ice cream, including a vegan version. The store will add handmade fresh ravioli and pastas and other specialty items as time goes on.
“We only want the good stuff and are hoping to add some specialty items for the holidays, but at this time, we’re dealing with steaks and meats for summer barbeques,” she said.
Sherri Chapman picks up a few loaves of Rando's bread.
Sherri Chapman, a stylist at Steve’s Barber Shop down the block, stopped in to get several loaves of bread for her son, who will “devour the whole loaf,” she said.
“This place is convenient, they have everything I love, and the people are so friendly,” Chapman said.
Just some milk today for Heights resident Bernie Jenkins.
Retired Ventnor Police Officer Bernie Jenkins lives within walking distance and stopped in for a half-gallon of milk.
“I’m so glad they opened this place,” he said. “I love the deli and the grab and go is awesome. The Lacovara’s have been friends for years. It’s nice they are local people.”
Lacovara said she is working hard to cater to visitors and the neighborhood folks, too.
“Islanders don’t like to leave the island for anything,” she said. “Once you get sand in your shoes, you never want to leave.”
The store is getting ready for the closing of schools, when the island really gets hopping and summer residents move in for the 100 days of summer.
In anticipation of the increase in foot traffic, Lacovera is planning to have cold cuts freshly cut and packaged a few times a day for those who want to grab and go.
But offering items at affordable prices is paramount to the store’s success, she said.
“These are my neighbors,” Maryann Lacovara said, “so I want it to be affordable for everyone.”
The store is presently open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends.
Lacovera said she is open to expanding hours.
“We’ll see how it goes,” she said.
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