Pasadena Bids Farewell To Pastore's Italian Deli

By Hayley Gable

Whether it’s the sprouting of a new business, building, or neighborhood, the Pasadena community has experienced immense growth and change over the past 45 years. With the dizzying level of change and transformation occurring almost on a daily basis, the one consistency that remains is the sense of community pride built around the rare establishments, which have survived through the years.

 One such establishment has been Pastore’s Italian Deli, which opened its doors in September of 1966 and since that time has become a household name within Pasadena.

On Sunday, May 15, 2011, Pastore’s closed up shop under its most recent owners, Linda and Richard Pearson. Much of the community was notified via the Pastore’s Plaza sign, where a direct message was communicated: “Going Out Of Business Sale Starts Monday.” Later, the Pearson family confirmed the news.

“It’s crazy. Just a real surprise,” said Calvin Cavey, who like many others worked at Pastore’s as a teenager. While he now resides in Severna Park, Cavey spent four years working at the original Pastore’s on Lombard Street in the city. “We’d sit in the back of the warehouse and put together all the pizza kits,” he recalled. “There was always the aroma of fresh provolone, mozzarella, and homemade pizza shells.”

Before it became Pastore’s Italian Deli at the intersection of Mountain and Hog Neck Road, the shop was known as Hillman’s General Store, where a variety of items, including groceries and toiletries, were sold. “We sold a little bit of everything, including some of the Sons of Italy and Don Pepino products that Pastore’s went on to sell,” added Cavey.

For the past 15 months, Pastore’s had been under new management. However, due to the failing economy and continuously expensive renovations, the business simply was not bringing in enough revenue to move forward.

“It’s sad. Pasadena won't be the same without Pastore's,” said local resident Jennifer Johnson-Shadle. “When we were little, it used to mark the ‘half way’ point between our house in Lombardee Beach and my grandmom's house in Sillery Bay. Not sure if it was really half way, but when you're little it seemed to be. We will surely miss Pastore's and those pizza kits.”

Before Pastore’s was sold to the Pearson family in February 2010, it was owned by Brian Metzbower, who bought the cafe from original owner Les Rizzo. Metzbower was one of Pastore’s first employees when it came to Pasadena in 1966.

“I will miss it. It's a Pasadena icon and the first job I actually liked. Lots of great memories were made there,” added Tomi-Lynn Spirt, who also claims Pastore’s as her first place of employment as a teenager.

“I remember going there as a child to get pizza kits and Bergers cookies. In high school, my friends and I would meet there for pizza, and it was just a few weeks ago that I stopped in for an Italian cold cut,” added Councilman Derek Fink. “I will definitely miss Pastore's."