General News
26 June, 2023
Four decades for deli owners
OLIVERI’S iconic deli at Innisfail is marking 40 years of current ownership and 100 years as a business.
Len and Anita Oliveri bought the deli in 1983 when it was known Saraceni & Ca1.
The deli originally began trading in the early 1920s as a general store-deli but became a flourishing business in the cane cutting years with the migration of ethnic people, in particular the Italians, Greeks and Maltese.
The deli also sold alcohol – beer, wine and spirits.
As sales of wine was big among the Italians the deli had its own underground cellar where the wine was stored in large vats and sold by the gallon to the customers.
“When we purchased the deli in 1983 it was depressed due to the opening of a Woolworths’ supermarket in lnnisfail,” said Mrs Oliveri.
“With only six months into our business we were confronted with the opening of a Coles’ supermarket,” she said.
“The first three weeks in particular saw a huge drop in our sales. We stayed in our own little world learning the trade and slowly introducing new products, trying to keep the local Italians and ethnic community happy at all times and also having to compete with two major chain stores. “The chain stores constantly harassed us seeking our products so that they could stock them – and they did.
“At this stage of the game the customers flocked to the supermarkets to buy products that had been selected by our business over the many years of trading.
“We managed to hold onto a lot of loyal customers and still do so today.
“As time passes by we have started selling to the sons, daughters and grandchildren of these loyal customers and it is they who have made our business flourish.
“By their ability to make meals ‘just like mamma used to make” and our experience in supplying products and advice to mamma, we know just what they require.
“We have gained the confidence of the next generation.”
Mrs Oliveri said their three main focus points had been:
• Customer service
• Product knowledge
• Quality products.
“Our products are selected indirectly by the customers.
“It is because of their feedback and our listening to their positive or negative comments that we stock various lines,” Mrs Oliveri said.
“Our lunch rolls were commenced in 1990 when the demand started to come for some of our specialty lines to be included in a bread roll so they could be eaten on the run.
“Since then we have developed a trade catering for locals, company representatives travelling along the Queensland coast and tourists.
“We are now regarded as one of the best delis in Queensland and an icon for the township of
