Deli serves up food, fun, lots of atmosphere

BLODGETT - The man sways easily in the swing, waiting patiently for the arrival of his buddies. Together they will swap stories, mostly true, and enjoy their coffee as they sit at the "Liars Corner," a declared and very important part of the Ole' Time Deli.

Margaret Russell laughs as she admits, it was these men who prompted her and her husband, David, to open the deli.

"We had bought the old service station and torn it down to build a convenience store," she said. "But when they complained they didn't have their 'liar's bench' any more, we told them we would bring it back."

And they did and much more of Blodgett's past.

In mid-May, the Russells officially opened the Ole' Timers Deli in a small building next to where the service station and its liar's bench once stood.

Margaret Russell, who owns the Deli with her husband Dave, is pictured with employee Janie Ellsworth.

Margaret Russell, who owns the Deli with her husband Dave, is pictured with employee Janie Ellsworth.

Around the building they placed picnic tables, old tractors, a small fountain and even a horseshoe pit. Placards along the building's outside walls give the history of the community, once known as the "Watermelon Capital of the World."

Inside they added even more antiques, old photos, newspaper dating back to the 1800s into the 1940s and '50s and magazine articles. Even the bathroom walls are covered with reading material.

But even more important, inside is the deli featuring hot and cold sandwiches, including roast beef, ham and cheese and that Southeast Missouri favorite, fried bologna. Also available are chicken fajitas and plate specials such as ham, beans and cornbread on Tuesdays or turkey and dressing on Thursdays.

From behind the counter Janie Ellsworth and Dorothy Matthews, the Deli's two employees, serve soft drinks, candy and chips and will hand-dip ice cream for cones. Also the Ole' Timers Deli staff sells the deli meats and cheeses by the pound.

"Business has been very good," said Russell, noting that lunch hours are typically the busiest time.

The inside has seating for eight around the two small tables while there is seating for about 30 at the picnic tables, chairs and swings scattered around the front and side of the building.

"While we opened this up for the old timers, as a place for them to gather and talk, in my opinion, this is a good place to come and relax," said Russell "It's a little place, out of the way where you can sit and enjoy the quiet of the evening or drink coffee in the morning."

They have already used the Ole' Timers Deli for a local fund-raiser, hosting a fish fry where those attending donated money for benches in the community's park. She said they also envision having horseshoe tournaments, ice cream socials, watermelon socials or renting out the facilities for others to enjoy.

The deli is just part of the business plans the Russells have for their hometown and base for their primary business, Tank Tech. The convenience store is still in their plans and they are working to open the Fun Factory, an indoor amusement park featuring a variety of games and food.

"We are trying to build Blodgett up," she explained. "We are really just one big, huge family here."

The Ole' Timers Deli is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.