Local Deli: Pushing Sandwiches at the Neighborhood Market

Terry Bridge Jr. wants to imbue more of that neighborhood feeling into his food market, The Riverton Deli. The all-too-familiar storefront was taken over by Bridge from a family member last August, and he’s pledging to have the deli regain its competitive edge with the locals in the sandwich market.

“In the early ’90s, I used to come in here, and it would be five-people deep, while everyone was waiting for orders,” recalls Bridge. “I’d like to see that again.”

Bridge isn’t surprised, or even miffed, that folks patronize other locales, like fast food franchises. And he understands the big-box supermarkets, who sell lunch meats and package hoagies-to-go, have squeezed out some of the small businesses.

“But if you buy from someone like me, it’s actually cheaper than the larger stores because there is less overhead on my bottom line.”

With no previous training in the food industry—he had a stint working in a machine shop—Bridge has immersed himself in the daily renderings of managing, cooking and serving the hungry lot in a small-scale neighborhood restaurant.

The inside of his spotless market hasn’t changed much since it first opened as a deli more than 30 years ago. An open kitchen galley flanks the right wall, where bagels, burgers, and salads are prepared and cooked. Sodas, juices, and bottled waters wait within a commercial refrigerator for a sale.

“The Boost machine is new,” adds Bridge, of the high-quality protein mixture made fresh in the deli. Inside seating is available at five tables.

A historical sketching of the Riverton Train Station hangs alongside an antique map of the town. Neighborhood handouts advertising a 5K run, a garden tour and registration for a local preschool are taped to the front windows. 

The Riverton Deli sits inside a red brick building, and alongside other notables—the , Gypsy Fish, Guido’s Barber Shop, and Impact Learning Center. For history buffs, the premises offers a storied past.

Up until 1975, the entire building was owned by J.S.Collins & Sons, who operated a hardware store and lumberyard out of the corner structure. 

According to a story from the Burlington County Times in January of that year, (a framed news account hangs in the store), the building was sold to a Riverton-based business, D.L. Associates, who were the owners of Friday’s Fuel Service. Their primary reason for wanting the property was to store their trucks and equipment in the backyard.

“At some point after that, the various storefronts were carved out, and the deli opened,” Bridge, 43, says. Four other proprietors previously owned and managed the store.

Bridge, who lives in Riverton with his wife Leigh and 5-year-old daughter Sarah, still sells the delicious turkey hoagies favored by the lunch crowd.  

“But I expanded the menu and added a lot more items,” such as breakfast sandwiches, wraps, and a variety of soups, he said.

Thirst-quenching Italian water ice, available in seven flavors, is also enjoyed.

Some of Bridge’s best customers are the Riverton Public School’s kids, who have a go-home choice offered during their lunchtime break. 

Sometimes he even gets more than that five-deep customer line he’s been hoping for—with the prepubescent set lunging for potato chips, soft pretzels and chocolate cakes.

“They are really good kids,” says Bridge, suppressing a smile. “Some of them ask me to run tabs for them.”