- Credibility:
WEST TOWN — After five decades in West Town, Fiore’s Delicatessen has closed its doors.
Owners Michael and Carmela Fiore shared the news of their retirement and the closing of the deli, 2258 W. Erie St., in a Facebook post. Its last day of business was Sunday, their daughter Florinda Fiore confirmed in a Facebook message.
“To all the beautiful people that walked thru the door of our Deli, to our old, new, even the ones that just walked in for a visit …Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your loyalty, for supporting our small business, without you, we couldn’t be open for almost 51 years,” the Fiores wrote. “As everything in life all journeys have a beginning an end, 2020 made us realize that life is precious, we cannot take anything for granted, so by reflecting on this, we decided that was time to retire!”
Credit: Hannah Alani / Block Club ChicagoFiore’s Delicatessen opened in 1970 at the tree-lined intersection of Erie Street and Oakley Boulevard in the West Town neighborhood. The market was popular for its homemade offerings, from meatballs to sub sandwiches made with imported meats and cheeses.
Pepper and egg sandwiches, a staple in Italian delis, were a neighborhood favorite. Last year Michael Fiore told Block Club his deli was the first to sell the sandwiches in Chicago.
“I get a lot of demand,” Fiore told DNAinfo in 2015. “We sell these sandwiches every day.”
Fiore said people liked his pepper and egg sandwiches because of the way he spices the peppers and roasts them, so what was once a Lent-only special became a year-round menu item.
RELATED: Chicago’s Pepper And Egg Sandwiches Remain A Staple During Lent (And The Rest Of The Year)
In their post, the couple thanked their son Frank, daughter Florinda, longtime employees and customers.
“Again to our customers, friends, we’ll keep you all in our memories, thank you for your support,” the post said. “We felt your love! Be well everyone God Bless you all!”
Credit: Facebook / Provided
Credit: Hannah Alani / Block Club ChicagoReporting from Kelly Bauer and Tanveer Ali contributed to this story.
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