Bossley Park General Store and Deli considers return

Don’t dream it’s over, deli lovers. Overwhelmed with the community’s response after its shock closure, a southwest Sydney business has shared its desire to return and continue the “nostalgia”.

A new generation flocks to Bossley Park General Store. Picture: Facebook

A beloved southwest southwest Sydney business, forced to shut after more than 70 years, is entertaining a comeback following its shock demise earlier this month.

Bossley Park General Store and Deli had been a part of the Fairfield community’s heart and soul since 1953, and its popularity soared when online posts of its sandwich bar attracted a new generation.

The Mimosa Rd store’s general operations manager, Paola Borges, whose parents Enzo and Franca Di Federico took over the shop 15 years ago, handed the keys back to landlord Joe de Abreu this week.

Ironically, Mr de Abreu’s father started the business in 1953 but he has alternate plans for the site.

“I think that’s why we were so shocked because we never thought it would come to that, but at the end of the day it’s his decision,’’ Mrs Borges said.

Paola Borges and her dad, Enzo Di Federico. Picture: Facebook

Enzo Di Federico takes out fresh, hot bread ready to be stuffed for sandwiches. Picture: Facebook

She admitted the closure happened “sooner than expected” and the community’s response had been overwhelming.

The faithful customer base has instilled hope the business could return locally.

“Our No. 1 option is to keep the Bossley Park General Store and Deli in Bossley Park or close to that location as much as we can,’’ Mrs Borges said.

Whether it was her Rome-born parents speaking Italian to customers or the Mediterranean groceries stocking the shelves, the nostalgia of the deli will be missed.

“It’s just the carrying on of tradition of food … we’re losing it, sadly, this thing with the past,’’ Mrs Borges said.

“If you don’t have delicatessens that we have had with history and nostalgia that we built over the years, sadly that losing of tradition is going to be fast tracked, faster than it already is.

“It’s great to share food, our culture.’’

Customers wait patiently for sandwiches on the last day the business was open. Picture: Facebook

Most staff were older than 60 and had been deli employees for 20 years.

The Di Federico family previously ran the successful shops Sportscene and Sportspower, in Wetherill Park and Fairfield, and Mr Di Federico was the former president of the Abruzzi Club in the same suburb.

Many customers became friends with the Di Federicos and would stop by to have coffee six times every day despite the shop not selling hot drinks.

Mrs Borges said a visit from social media influencer Sydney Food Boy introduced a younger generation of Australian-Asians to panini.

Customers from all walks of life thronged to the deli on October 6, its last day of operations.

“It was a 45-minute line up for panini so it was a bitter sweet experience,’’ she said.

“Seeing all the support in the store made the last week somewhat enjoyable.’’

Originally published as Bossley Park General Store and Deli considers return