Trenton, ON: The Trenton Delicatessen located at 93 Dundas Street West in downtown Trenton has new owners with fresh ideas. Erin and Adam Keats, both 25 years old, are very excited to be taking on this very busy store where the focus has always been on quality foods and unique products. “My family is from Holland and Adams is from England and we both grew up with traditional European goods in our homes,” says Erin Keats. “We are really proud of the specialty products we carry and will be expanding our line of Dutch and German products and bringing in new lines from other countries.”
Erin & Adam Keats purchased the store from Rika Mouw who had run it with her late husband Bert Mouw for 34 years and built the legacy of the Trenton Delicatessen. They are pleased that Rika is staying on with them to help run the busy store and share her years of knowledge and experience. They are going to stay true to the roots of the store but at the same time bring new ideas and new energy to this landmark store. “We have redecorated the store and painted the interior and exterior,” says Adam Keats, “and along with the new signage we are really giving it our own touch. We want to create a comfortable atmosphere for our loyal customers while welcoming and educating new customers who are interested in European culture and the products we carry.”
Along with a new look for the business this husband and wife duo have other changes planned for the store. There is now a lunch/coffee nook in the front window for customers to sit and enjoy their purchases and there is a plan to expand their cheese counter and launch an English product line of Cheeses just in time for Christmas. As they are an European Delicatessen they also have plans to introduce new product lines for other European countries such as Poland, England, Switzerland and Ireland.
“It is wonderful to see young business people taking over businesses as the existing owners decide it is time to either retire or slow things down a bit,” says Suzanne Andrews, manager at the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce. “Having a succession plan in place and working with the new owners to ensure their success is so important and it sounds like Adam and Erin are off to a great start with their new business and have done everything right.”
Before they purchased the business there was a lot of research done in different communities in the surrounding area and Trenton really appealed to the Keats because it is clean, developing and will continue to grow now that the new marina has been built. Erin worked with Rika for a year to learn the ropes and to see if the Delicatessen was the right fit for them. “It was perfect for us,” says Erin Keats, “we both bring with us sales and business experience and a love of European Culture. Everyone has been so welcoming to us and we really appreciate the support and encouragement from the business owners, The City, The Chamber of Commerce and the DBIA who have offered any help or guidance we need.”
To get it touch with Erin and Adam you can call 613-392-7906 or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TrentonDelicatessen
