After ten years at the helm of one of Agassiz’s beloved fixtures, Katrien de Brouwer, handed over the Agassiz Deli to new owner Sarah Oostenbrink. The deli and delicatessen is a community favourite and has been on the scene for close to 30 years.
The specialty shop features a myriad of products, many imports from Europe, for a Dutch-European feel that lends itself to a one stop shop for many customers.
The deli has been been converted a few times over the years.
It was once a Red & Green Grocery and a shoe store according to de Brouwer who took on the deli over a decade ago, adding the espresso machine into the mix, to complete the ambience it has now, or what both women call in Dutch “gezellig” which means cozy, and warm as both de Brouwer, and Oostenbrink hail from Dutch backgrounds.
The espresso machine uses the finest that J.J. Beans has to offer which is part of the charm of the deli.
Imported cheeses from Holland and France are par for the course, including a great selection of sandwiches, fresh pies, and baked goods.
“It’s a bit of a community hub, we have a lot of regulars, and there are community lunches here — we have a big Dutch community and they enjoy specialty items,” said de Brouwer.
The deli will be keeping with its Dutch traditions as Oostenbrink prepares to take over. The mother of four from Chilliwack, and married to a foodie husband, saw the opportunity to purchase the deli and took the plunge.
She has been fearless over the past month while shadowing de Brouwer on the job.
“It’s been a month and I’m learning everything about the business — the staff here are really competent, everyone knows them as the deli girls,” said Oostenbrink. “I’m really impressed with the day to day work ethic and efficiency and I’m not worried about that part of it at all.”
Oostenbrink officially took over on Mar. 1.
The deli has always been about quality and customer service according to de Brouwer who’s beginning to take a step back from it all, as Oostenbrink moves forward with the running of the business end of the deli.
As for changes, Oostenbrink has big dreams for the deli including some remodeling down the road as well as a few additions to the menu.
For now she is bringing in fresh bread from her nephew Dustin at the Local Harvest. Customers can expect a real treat, whether it’s a wholesome multigrain bread or Dutch raisin buns.
Oostenbrink is also working on the emergence of a take-out menu for a busy clientele base as she eases into the position of new owner at the Agassiz Deli.