Business & Tech
New Owner of Main Street Deli in East Berlin
Mortsensen brings his restaurant experience to town.
Formerly known as Scotty’s Home Plate Deli, the store at the corner of Main and Grove Street in East Berlin has become Main Street Deli. The sign above the door to the deli reads, “Main Street – Good Eats, Tasty Treats.”
The new owner/operator would certainly know about good eats and tasty treats. Retired from Mortensen’s Ice Cream Shop and Restaurant on the Berlin Turnpike, where he and two brothers owned and operated the business, Al Mortensen is still connected to the former owner of Scotty’s Home Plate Deli and because of that connection, now runs Main Street Deli.
“Scotty is my brother-in-law,” said Mortensen. “He still does catering but he went back to Mortensen’s.
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When Mortensen retired he considered going into the used car business. Scotty wanted to get out of the deli business so instead of selling used cars, Mortensen decided to give the deli a try. He has two partners – Jimi Traver, who has worked at Mortensens for two years and was manager of Cold Stone Creamery in Simsbury, and Jed Baker who is a mechanic and would have been very busy if Mortensen had decided to open a used car business.
As well as Traver and Baker, mothers of both men have contributed to the opening of Main Street Deli. Curtains for the front windows are being made by Traver’s mother and the large pots of flowers on the front steps were done by Baker’s mother.
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Main Street Deli has a large selection of breakfast sandwiches, as well as subs, melts, burgers, and hot dogs. There is a choice of rolls, muffins and bagels. They offer chicken tenders, French fries, and onion rings, for example. The deli is in the perfect place for people who work in the Industrial Park off Berlin Street to stop in for lunch. As soon as the public pool opens, Mortensen expects purchases of some of his “Tasty Treats” to be best sellers.
Many East Berlin residents take daily walks. Main Street Deli is there to stop in at, converse with their neighbors, or just grab a cup of coffee and sit for a while. Whatever the choice, Mortensen’s years of experience with food will make whatever is chosen, only the best.
Summer hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the rest of the year, hours will be from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Main Street Deli can be reached at (860) 828-7541
