New owner of Cedar Rapids deli loves what he does

CEDAR RAPIDS - When the owners of Club Deli decided to step down, they knew just who they wanted to take over the business.

Dick and Mary Venteicher and their daughter, Laurie Miller, sold the deli they started in 1993 to longtime employee Chris Dlouhy on Aug. 1.

“Chris was our first employee and very dedicated,” Mary Venteicher said. “He knew the business.”

Club Deli, 1933 51st St. NE, has outlasted some of its chain restaurant competitors, in part because of its customer service and quality products, Venteicher said.

The meats and cheeses are sliced fresh for each sandwich, Dlouhy, 43, said.

“Our concept of fresh is a cut above the rest,” he said.

Being in the kitchen is natural for Dlouhy, who said he has always been a foodie. He makes the deli's soups, pasta salads and desserts from scratch.

Club Deli has a strong customer base from the northeast side of Cedar Rapids, as well as other parts of the city where the deli delivers, Dlouhy said.

Club Deli delivers to businesses, schools and other places throughout Cedar Rapids. There is a minimum $35 order for deliveries, and orders can be placed the same day.

“We've been successful all these years because we know our clients and we are a clean, family-run place,” Dlouhy said.

Employees are also hard-working and go the extra mile for their clients, Venteicher said.

“He continues to hustle to meet the needs of the customer,” she said of the new owner.

Work comes first for Dlouhy, who was born and raised in Cedar Rapids.

“This is the only job I've ever had that I enjoy coming

to work every day,” Dlouhy said.

He started part-time at the deli in 1993 while also working at Sears. After a few years, he went full-time at the deli and hasn't regretted it.

“I fell in love with this place,” he said.