Annapolis Gourmet Owner Celebrates His 90th Birthday

By Jeremy Todd

The owner of the in West Annapolis turned 90 on Feb. 21.

Gus Leanos is as native to Annapolis as the Capital. Whether you’ve known him for a week, a year, or a decade, he treats you like he’s known you all his life.

“The boss should have let him off today; I’m gonna have to talk to
him,” one customer said.

Leanos’ father Tom said you can’t get far in life unless you work on your birthday, and Gus hasn’t taken a birthday off since he started making sandwiches 65 years ago.

He’s slowed down a bit and usually makes “between 75, 80, and 100 sandwiches a day. I used to make more, but now I got help for that,” Leanos said with a smirk. “I’ve seen many businesses come and go. It’s tough out there."

Leanos said the deli is a family business. His wife Helene covers the morning shift.

“Her birthday is two days after mine; but she is much younger than I am,” he said.

The Annapolis Gourmet is exceptionally courteous to the military folk. Mr. Leanos served aboard the USS Trenton during World War II.

He has many prominent customers, but he treats them all the same. Each one is special to him, and as such, deserves to be as pleasantly treated as he is.

Vickey Ralston, whose husband serves in the Navy and is stationed in Norfolk, VA, has worked for Gus for about a year and a half.

“I’ve never seen him in a bad mood," she said. "He’s the happiest boss I’ve ever known. It’s a joy to come to work every day.”

Not many employees can say that these days, she added.

As for his clientele, they don’t merely trade money for a meal and good service; they visit for the ambiance, local flavor, and an opportunity to hear a good tale.

Barbara Hendricks and her friend Kimberly Minear of Admiral Heights make the Annapolis Gourmet deli a routine stop in their daily walks. Most times they bring their dogs. Recently they left them home because they had their hands full of balloons for Gus.

“He always brings water out for the dogs and the occasional biscuit,” Hendricks said.

“He’s always chipper,” Minear said.

“This is a special day for him and we just wanted to pop in with a happy
birthday wishes and some balloons to brighten up his day,” Hendricks said.

“I wouldn’t advise anyone to go into this business,” Leanos mumbled.

He explained how the restaurant business hasn’t changed much since he started, but “refrigeration has come far" since his father Jim used one of the first ice box refrigeration systems in Annapolis.

“I don’t think there’s anyone as old as I am in business in this town," he said.

When asked about that last bad day he had, Leanos said, “Every morning I get up is a nice day.”

A woman with a big smile comes in shortly after 11:30 a.m. and hands him a bouquet of tulips and delightfully accepts a kiss and a hug.

“That’s Connie," he said. "She brought me flowers; she’s a sweetheart.”

Nestled in West Annapolis on 116 Annapolis St., Leanos’ Annapolis Gourmet is the place to hang out and enjoy your meal when you’re looking into the best places to eat in town. No one is hustled out of this spot.

Order a simple cup of gourmet coffee and you might spend 40 minutes in there shootin’ the breeze. If you’re in a hurry, order it to go or you can even get it
delivered.

If you want to tell a good story or hear one perhaps, this is definitely the place for you and your friends. All are welcome; from young to seasoned, the Annapolis Gourmet has something for everyone.

Don’t forget to give Gus a belated birthday wish; he’ll be 90 all year.