Chick And Ruth's Delly Owners Sell Annapolis Diner

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Chick and Ruth's Delly in Annapolis has been a staple dining spot for residents, visitors and Maryland governors for more than 50 years. On Monday, the landmark diner changed owners with the retirement of Ted Levitt, but its new owner pledges no big changes.

Levitt announced the sale of the diner to longtime customer Keith Jones via the business' Facebook page. "I've worked every weekend for over 52 years and most days during the week. It is now time to spend with my beautiful wife, Beth, and get to see my children," Levitt wrote.

The deli is an Annapolis institution. Starting with Gov. Marvin Mandel in 1969, it’s been tradition for each newly inaugurated governor to dine at Chick and Ruth’s on Main Street in Annapolis for breakfast the morning after their inauguration. (For more events and local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alertsand newsletters from Annapolis Patch, and click here to find your local Maryland Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

A cherished ritual happens each morning as staff and customers at the real-deal diner, located at 165 Main Street join together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at 8:30 a.m. weekdays and at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sundays. The deli also offers free delivery to the U.S. Naval Academy. Levitt said that won't change.

"(Jones) wants to keep everything the same. If it works don't fix it. He will be keeping all the traditions and service the same," Levitt said on Facebook.

Friend and customers from all over the state shared memories on the restaurant's Facebook page of Naval Academy game day visits to the deli, of joining in the Pledge of Allegiance, and hoped that the daily ritual won't change. And while patrons said the deli won't be the same without a Levitt behind the counter, there were many well-wishes on their retirement.

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Customer JD Baldwin said of the sale: "My first reaction is horror. Because Chick and Ruth's without a Levitt at the counter is unthinkable. But I can't begrudge you the freedom and ease you've earned after all those years of hard work. Go enjoy it and thanks for everything."

Here is Ted Levitt's Facebook post to customers:

Hello everyone. This is a new day in our lives. Beth & I decided to make a big change in our life. After 52 years of working in my family business I thought it would be good time to make a change in our life. I've worked every weekend for over 52 years and most days during the week. It is now time to spend with my Beautiful wife Beth and get to see my children Lauren, Scott. Mandy & Gerry.

Today there is a new owner of Chick and Ruth's Delly, Keith Jones. He is a very talented man has been a good customer of Chick and Ruth's for years. He wants to keep everything the same. If it works don't fix it. He will be keeping all the traditions and service the same.

It has truly been living the American Dream running our family business and meeting all our friends over the years. We have enjoyed watching over 5 generations of families grow up.

Beth and I will still be around. We know you will love meeting and getting to know Keith.

Beth will be busy with her real estate career and I will be busy playing in my garage restoring antique cars, model trains & making music boxes.

Thanks for the friendship over the years and looking forward to seeing you soon.

»PATCH FILE PHOTOS: Following Maryland tradition, Gov. Larry Hogan arrived at Chick & Ruth’s Delly on Main Street in Annapolis for breakfast the day after his inauguration. Capital News Service photo by Deidre McPhillips. Each morning, staff and customers at Chick and Ruth's Delly on Main Street join together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Photo by Rebecca Cleary. Video by Capital News Service