Staff Pick: Lelak’s Delicatessen

Ridgefielder Brian Willenbring's velvet painting of Lelak's Deli is among Historical Society Collections Manager Betsy Reid's favorite items in the collection.

Who remembers Lelak’s Delicatessen? They had the best potato salad!

John and Anne Lelak operated the delicatessen, located in what was then the Grand Union Shopping Center (now the site of CVS) next to a 24-hour Laundromat, for many years.

The Lelak family sold their deli to Irving Gold in 1975. Mr. Gold was known, among other things, for his dislike of Howard Cosell the sportscaster. Old-timers will remember his campaign called “Cosell Must Go”, complete with bumper stickers and buttons.

Velvet paintings enjoyed a heyday in the United States during the 1970’s. Images of Elvis Presley and dogs playing poker were very popular subjects, but this painting (2019.345.1001) on velvet is something special. It was done by Ridgefielder Brian Willenbring, who must have really loved Lelak’s. It was donated to the Ridgefield Historical Society’s collections in 2019.

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