Jack’s Deli Owner Abdul Joulani Sells Business

People filed in and out of Jack’s Meats & Deli on Oct. 28, Abdul Joulani’s penultimate day as its owner. Showcasing a variety of “20% off” yellow signs on shelves, tables and windows, the deli advertised a store-wide sale. This drew attention to the departure of Joulani, whose last day was on Oct. 29, after running the deli for over 30 years.

 Earlier in the year, Joulani made plans to transfer ownership of Jack’s Meats & Deli to Moe and Jude Mubarez, owners of a Brooklyn deli chain who already had ties to the town through their son, a student at SUNY New Paltz. The sale procedure began in July with Joulani intending to close the deal in the summer. “It was supposed to happen in August, but the paperwork was longer than we expected. So it’s going to be the end of October,” he said. 

“I’ve been in it for 35 years. I’m getting to the point where I’m tired, and I’m having trouble keeping up help,” Joulani said. The deli has resided in New Paltz since 1968, with Joulani being the first to receive ownership after the original owner, Jack Provenzano, stepped down. “When I took it from Jack, definitely it was more butcher-style, then I did a little more deli,” he said, intending for his business “to cater to the downtown community and residents, and the college kids too.” 

Joulani wished to keep the deli in its current state, and the new owners complied. Despite possible renovations, the deli’s name and setup will stay the same. 

As an establishment that caters largely to the local community and its needs, Joulani is confident that the deli’s success will continue to flourish through neighborhood support. “It’s a community thing,” he said. “They know they’re paying a lot more, but it’s convenient and people like to come in here.” Open every day from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., the deli hasmade its mark in town as a reliable source of food, drink and miscellaneous household items. Many community members are familiar with Joulani, the man behind the counter.

Tending to the grill and register, Joulani worked steadily as ever on his second-to-last day. It had been busy since the morning as a lengthy customer line formed, and people came to give their well wishes to Joulani. “Majority are customers, but some people I haven’t seen in a while,” he said, referring to those who came from other towns to say goodbye. One customer described Joulani as a town celebrity. Another said, “He’s been feeding us for years!” Similar laudatory expressions filled the store as the day flew by, and Joulani spoke with his customers. “I’m gonna miss the people,” he said. “It’s a good feeling — a sad feeling — but a good feeling to know that the community likes us … We’ve been appreciated.”

Later in the evening, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger visited the deli. She awarded Joulani a Certificate of Recognition, which he displayed on the counter as the deli winded down. When asked about the certificate, Joulani proudly stated his reason for receiving it: “For being a loyal person to the community.”