As two students walk into Star Market Catering and Delicatessen around lunchtime, Mike Schettler’s New York drone echoes from across the room. After he approaches the students, the three engage in conversation for a moment at the front counter, until Schettler interrupts and rings a bell on the wall by the door. The two employees working the deli section and five customers join Schettler in loud cheers.
One customer had just handed in his “Sandwich Club” card, with a completed 12 stamps, to Star Market owner Schettler. He had just earned a free sandwich.
“We like to celebrate the regulars that come in here,” Schettler explained. “Eighty percent of our customers are regulars.”
Most of these regulars migrate from the University of Denver, with easy and fast access to the 2357 E. Evans Avenue location, serving a number of sandwiches, salads and cakes. Star Market opened in the 1930s. “It has been in my family for 35 years,” Schettler said. “I’ve been here for 17 years.”
The deli was originally a supermarket, but after competition from larger supermarkets like Safeway and King Soopers, sized down to concentrate on food service.
Schettler moved to Colorado in 1981 to attend DU. He hasn’t forgotten his New York roots, but said the DU community cannot be beat.
“Meeting the people is my favorite part,” he said with a grin.
“Watching the students grow up, then coming back and saying hi…oh, you can’t beat it.” It is obvious that Schettler loves his customers, especially students.
His walls are adorned with DU gymnastics, hockey and basketball posters and DU paraphernalia. He points to his old DU student ID.
“Look at that handsome guy,” he laughs. “Boy, that was back in the day.”
He also points out a number of certificates and framed articles on the wall. He proudly reads outloud saying, “University of Denver staff advisory council is pleased to recognize Michael Schettler.”
Next, he pointed to a framed article in the Denver Business Journal on the wall. “We’ve been named in the list of Top 25 Caterers from the Denver Business Journal for a long time now,” he said of the pride he has of the store.
Although Star Market has been successful, they have had their share of problems. In addition to feeling the aftermath of September 11 economy, the shop will be moving locations in approximately a year due to the redevelopment of the University and Evans intersection (see story, page 1).
Schettler said that a lot of people have been coming into the shop and have been disappointed by the news of their moving, but he reassures them by saying he hopes to stay in the area.
Schettler thinks the situation is cake compared to his most difficult task. “My hardest job has been getting up every morning for 17 years.”
