By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
Kelly Luchkovitz camps out at Times Square Deli.
‘It’s a lot more work,? Luchkovitz laughed, ‘I live here now,? Along with all the regulars that jingle the door every day.
‘We have one lady. Miss Ruth. She comes every single morning. She’s the first one at my door holding a newspaper every single day,? Luchkovitz said.
After managing Times Square Deli for three years the next logical step in her mind was to own the darned place, and by golly, her husband Steve Luchkovitz and Kelly bought it.
?[The cooks] even start Miss Ruth’s order even before I let her in because they know she’s going to be out there,? Kelly Luchkovitz said.
Miss Ruth’s favorites: her oatmeal and brown sugar, or her poached egg and hash browns and homemade rye toast. Always.
‘I love guest service because I like talking to people and moving around, I couldn’t sit at a desk all day,? Luchkovitz said.
Not only does she own and operate the deli known for its slow-roasted meats and homemade soups, she serves, collecting tips just like the other waiters and waitresses there.
‘The sandwiches are big deli sandwiches, and everything is fresh and homemade, even when they make a burger here. It’s not frozen,? she said. ‘And people love, for breakfast, the corn beef hash because it’s not out of a can. All the vegetables are fresh vegetables, so it might take a little longer to get your food, but it is so worth it. It’s not a diner. It’s a deli, and everything is homemade and fresh.?
With the business portion of being the owner and the number of regulars at Times Square Deli, Luchkovitz is kept on her toes.
‘I can tell you what time they are going to come in. One after another. I’ll set their tables up for them with their drink and I already know what they’re going to order,? she said. ‘It’s because of them that I’m here. They’re great guests. It’s because of them that I do this.?
Husband Steve Luchkovitz is behind her 100 percent. He contracted all of his construction business out in order to learn the restaurant world, and is hoping to extend the deli’s hours to stay open until 8 p.m. every night.
Currently the deli is open 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., except for Fridays where one of the most popular fish frys in town keeps the clock ticking until 8 p.m.
Steve Luchkovitz is also in charge of the new night menu that will contain a larger plethora of dinner items, while all the lunch and breakfast items will stay the same.
Nearly living at the restaurant is not an understatement.
Fourteen hours a day?7 days a week’is normal for the pair to be in the restaurant.
We want to be part of it and work here. We don’t just want to pop in,? Kelly Luchkovitz said.
Most days their son Lyric joins them in helping out after school.
‘I asked him what his job title was, because he said ‘mom I’m an employee,?? Kelly Luchkovitz said. ‘So what’s your job title? And he said ‘helper-outer.? So he’s around helping, and people have gotten to know him, too.?
The staff, famous deli sandwiches, and delightful ambiance are all the same, yet they have some big plans for the future.
The Luchkovitzs hope to expand their business more into the catering sector, offering services to surrounding schools, businesses and parties.
‘That’s our goal, to keep going,? Kelly Luchkovitz said. ‘We love every face that comes in, but we want to see some new ones too.
Times Square is located in the Kroger plaza at Indianwood Rd. and Lapeer.