Rich’s Deli in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Rich’s Deli, located in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania is a unique combination of economic engine and social hub. Since the early 1980s, Rich’s has served as a consistent meeting place for local Ambler area residents. Located adjacent to Germantown Academy, a private school of over 2,500 students, and next to the Fort Washington train station, Rich’s has enjoyed consistent business for over twenty years.

Over the Thanksgiving break, I visited Rich’s as I had done many times before. The deli serves breakfast from 5:30am until 10:00am and then serves lunch until 6:30pm on most days. The deli’s main patrons include the students from the high-school and commuters who work in Philadelphia and live in the surrounding suburbs. The inside of the deli is decorated with local high-school banners, newspaper clippings that glorify high-school sports legends, pictures of Rich’s two sons, and Philadelphia sports paraphernalia including a seat salvaged from Veteran’s stadium. When members of the community eat or shop at Rich’s they feel at home. The ambiance is homey and a throwback to a small town grocery store. The staff is recognizable since they’ve been employed by Rich’s for so long. Although the prices aren’t as competitive as the omnipresent Wawa convenience store chain in southeast Pennsylvania, the relationship between Rich, the employees, and the patrons is what keeps Rich’s Deli in business and thriving.

In Global Cities, Local Streets, the authors emphasize the intersection of cultural and economic engines in small shops. Rich’s is both valuable to the local economy as it provides competition to the large convenience store chains, provides jobs for locals, and sponsors local youth sports, fundraisers, etc. The deli is also a valuable meeting and socializing place for local Ambler and Fort Washington residents.

Cliff David ’18