ALLENTOWN, Pa. – After 50 years, a neighborhood shop and staple in Allentown is preparing to close its doors at the end of the month.
69 News Reporter Sydney Kay reports on how the community is rallying behind the owner during this bittersweet goodbye.
Allentown’s Karl Ehmer Quality Meats, which sells deli and specialty sandwiches and salad, will hold its last day of business on Nov. 29 at 1645 Union Blvd. in Allentown, according to a post on the business’ Facebook page.
In September, the Allentown shop announced that the business was for sale as owner Leo Osanitsch Jr. plans to retire on Nov. 29. It also announced that it still plans to offer its quality products at local events and festivals.
Owner Leo Osanitsch Jr. told Sydney kay Thursday morning there it was like a “firestorm” after the announcement, with customers coming in and buying food in larger quantities to make sure they have what they need for the coming months.
There have been so many “thank you’s” from customers for being in the community for 50 years and serving traditional German foods, Osanitsch Jr. said.
Osanitsch Jr. said the shop is looking for somebody else to carry it on.
He said he “just wanted to give thanks to all the patrons that have been our customers for years and years.”
“It’s heartwarming” to see the outpouring of support from the community, he said.
He said it’s why he gets up in the morning.
People who have moved away came back just to come say congratulations on his retirement and “of course taking something back home with them to eat,” he said, chuckling.
He said he started out in Poughkeepsie folding bakery boxes and waiting on customers when he was 13 years old. He later decided to come to Allentown to continue that tradition.
Anyone interested in purchasing the business can call the shop at 610-432-9111, or go to the store’s Karl Ehmer’s Allentown Facebook page.