01/26/2025
Good morning everyone, I apologize in advance for the long post...
I wanted to let everyone know, if you don't already, that I am no longer at Mara's. The reason for this post is because it kills me that I wasn't given the opportunity to say goodbye to all the loyal customers and friends that I have come to know and love over the last 16 years. This is not a pity party, but an outlet to reach as many of you as I can, and to let you know how sad I am at this situation. I hope that people who don't see this post will hear from someone else how I feel, and how it went down. The high road is just not working for me.. I need to express myself so I can move on.
I've waited a while to post this message, mostly so I can calm down, collect my thoughts, and wrap my head around the reality of what I saw coming 2 years ago, when I was told that my lease would not be renewed and the property owner would be taking over the building, and my business along with it. I tried to be graceful and positive, giving EVERYTHING I had to give, starting back when the Kerhonkson Deli to Go was being built and preparing to open for business. I won't bore anyone with the endless list of what that means, those of you who know, know. Looking back, and looking in the mirror, I know there was nothing more I could have given, or done, to make the transition as smooth as possible for ALL involved, even for the first few months there as an employee, I was still helping any way I could.
Of course there were days that I was quiet and in my head, but inside fireworks were going off. Other days I was resentful and bitchy, but mostly I really did feel good about it..I told people "this is going to be great, everyone is still here, I'm still here, nothing will change except it won't be mine anymore, and so much less stress!" No matter what face I was showing the world, no one really understood all of this meant for me. The loss of my identity, my power, the pride I had in what had taken me years to build from nothing (actually less than nothing), was going to be gone in a day. Literally.
Wednesday, July 31st, it was my business, Thursday, August 1st it was gone. Didn't miss a beat.
I was told," you will always have a home here, a job, for as long as you want to be here, I'm going to take care of you for everything you've done for me". I was even told that maybe taking care of my health insurance was on the table..I never expected that to happen, but it was nice to hear, of course.
There was nothing I wouldn't or didn't do for my employees..we worked together for years, were practically family, and all of their lives ( and mine as a business owner) were changed for the better working for Mara's..It blows my mind how much damage can be done in a few short months, as I haven't heard from even one of them to see if I am OK. Last week I definitely was not, but I'm getting better every day. I have no hard feelings, and I would still be there if they ever needed me.
2 weeks ago at the end of my Saturday shift I was told that the payroll numbers were too high (how did I do it all those years?), and I was being "sent" to the Kerhonkson deli to work...me, whose name, 2 weeks later, is STILL on the sign out front. There is no question in my mind that it was known ahead of time that I would NEVER agree to that. I was blindsided and I completely shut down. Done. The locks were being changed as I left the parking lot, as if I would come back and rob the place..(really??) No premeditation there, folks. And that's how I was disposed of...well played.
Time will tell if the quality of the menu will continue on as before, as that was always the most important thing to me, NEVER changing to cheaper products and ingredients, even as overhead and inventory costs were doubling and tripling. I was never about the money..I was about making a living, without sacrificing quality and reputation. Ask anyone. You can read the reviews that have transferred to Deli to Go 2...before August, they were mine, with the help of my awesome employees that everyone knows and loves.
I wish nothing but the best for all involved, and as for customers and friends? My heart is broken that I won't see you there again..maybe I'll see you on the other side of town soon. Thank you so much for everything!!
Mara
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