What's your favorite deli meat?

My seven year old son will only eat hard salami from Micucci's market on India. You have never met such a picky eater. Or maybe you have? In this case, it's a good problem for us. We love Micucci's. There is something so special about the place. Maybe it's Richard Micucci behind the cash register, or any of the Micucci family that staffs the store. The warm welcome and huge smile they deliver to each customer is almost enough to keep us coming back. The hard salami keeps us coming back, of course, but so does the aroma of Italian meats and cheeses.

Micucci's delivers more than a grocery experience. It delivers a sensory experience -- something every retailer strives for these days. Black and white floors, shelves stocked with imported oils, Italian cookies and pastries, locally made Italian breads, bundles of basil, individually packed cartons of Jordan almonds, and so much more. The place is cramped; I rationalized years ago that it's an "old-world' marketplace layout --- though I’ve never been to Italy. There is definitely a limited selection of items -- which is refreshing, if you ask me. (It's nice not staring down one hundred and twenty foot aisles stocked with every variety of grocery store item every put into a bag, can or container.) I guess you can say that Micucci makes my life easier. Do you know what I mean?

If you haven't been to Micucci's lately, here's a really good reason to pop in for a visit -- Sophia's Bakery. Yes, in case you didn't know, Sophia's has relocated to Micucci's back room. You'll notice Sophia's baked goods on the racks as soon as you enter. But don't stop there. I encourage you to walk into the back room and take a peek. Richard Micucci and the folks of Sophia's have designed a small area near the bakery for sitting and enjoying Sophia's delicate and delicious pastries, breads and pizzas. As a lover of bakeries, it was a sad day for me when Sophia's left Market Street. It was a bright day when I noticed a familiar pastry next to the register. It's a one-two punch these days at Micucci's.

You're probably thinking of the neighborhood market near you that possesses some of the same qualities (family owned, ethnic heritage, easy to understand). If you're at all like me you cherish these gems.
We depend on Whole Foods and Hannaford. We rely on places like Micucci's.

My son Simon loves taking a salami sandwich on thinly cut Pepperidge Farm wheat bread, hold the mustard, to school. We know that the salt and fat and who knows what else isn't good for him. So we limit it. But, thankfully, he's due for another small batch of imported hard salami from Micucci's. I think I'm due for some provolone stuffed cherry peppers, a chunk of Reggiano Parmesan and a slice of Sophia's rich, thick cut pizza for the ride home.

Who’s with me?