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Pickle May Be Deli's Bread, Butter

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By JASON GEARY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 1, 2007

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - When the temperature dips, David Crouch plans to slip into a pickle suit and stand by the side of the road.

For about three months, the 41-year-old Clearwater resident has been working to attract customers to Dilly Dapper's Deli & Catering, 5553 W. Waters Ave., Suite 301.

Crouch, a graphic artist who displays his works inside the deli, wanted to bring some pizzazz to the venture. He designed menus for the restaurant with a debonair mascot: Dilly Dapper, a sharply-dressed pickle with a top hat, white gloves and cane.

"I'm making a pickle suit because I haven't been able to find one," Crouch said.

The small eatery is tucked inside the Thompson Center Waters at the northeast corner of Anderson Road and Waters.

Crouch said the previous operator of the deli, which was known as Panache Deli Restaurant, closed the doors. The sign for the old deli remains.

As new manager, Crouch said he has been trying to welcome back regular customers, many of whom work inside the office complex, as well as drum up new business.

"I want to make people feel like I'm glad to have them here," he said.

He has been hitting the streets, passing out more than 500 new menus and trying to learn the names of regular customers.

"Nothing beats a face to face," he said.

Sharon Jensen, who has been working in the office park for about 11 months, said she doesn't enjoy fighting lunchtime traffic to get a bite to eat. So, she has been coming to the deli "just about every day."

"It's my hour away from the humdrum business world," she said.

Along with ordering her favorites such as a Cuban sandwich or chili, Jensen said she can visit with other people who work in the office complex.

"It's just a really nice atmosphere," she said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Dilly Dapper's Deli & Catering

WHERE: 5553 W. Waters Ave., Suite 301, inside the Thompson Center Waters at the northeast corner of Anderson Road and Waters

HOURS: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; closed Saturdays and Sundays

INFORMATION: Call (813) 249-9500

Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at (813) 865-1505 or jgeary@tampatrib.com.

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