Downtown Modesto deli permanently closes earlier than expected. ‘Beyond my control’
Eight days after Piccadilly Deli owner Suzie Wirth announced her retirement, the sandwich shop’s permanent closure came sooner than expected.
The last day of business was set for Nov. 27, but a sign in front of the downtown deli seen Thursday at noon said it was no longer open.
“Due to circumstances beyond my control, Piccadilly Deli is now permanently closed,” the sign reads. “We apologize for the sudden notice.”
Orders that were previously arranged will be filled, the sign says.
Wirth told The Modesto Bee on Nov. 13 that business had been great since she announced the deli was closing, but she was experiencing staffing shortages.
It is not known whether staffing issues contributed to the sudden closure.
Piccadilly Deli was founded in 1976 by an English couple who bought a shoe store and transformed it into the eatery, according to Bee archives.
Wirth’s father, Robert Wirth, bought the place in 1978 and kept the name and concept. Suzie Wirth bought the business from her father in 2003.
Modesto resident Mark Looker shared his favorite memory as a longtime customer of Piccadilly:
“I started working downtown in 1982 as an aide to then Congressman Tony Coelho, and Piccadilly Deli was the go-to spot for delicious, affordable sandwiches. Fast forward to the early 2000s and I was in the deli and saw our new next-door neighbor, Suzi Wirth, behind the counter working away on an order.
“I was surprised and said, ‘I didn’t know you worked here.’ I saw all of her employees laughing, and Suzi said very politely, ‘Well, I kind of own the place!’ So, lesson learned. Never make assumptions about who runs the business.
“And every time I have been in the deli, there is Suzie running around, taking orders to the tables, answering the phone, writing down orders, refilling the soft drink machine and so on. She works hard and loves her customers. We are going to miss the deli and its friendly vibe, but Suzie has definitely earned her retirement.”
This story was originally published November 19, 2024 at 1:04 PM.
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