South Salem’s Spring Street Market & Deli Marks Its First Year

SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. – The windows of the Spring Street Country Market & Deli were being painted with an autumn theme last week and while the new artwork indicates the season is changing, it also is means the quaint little store in South Salem is marking its one-year anniversary.

Lisa Reeves and her husband bought what was formerly known as the South Salem Country Deli in the summer of 2011, but couldn't open it until several months later. The building needed some extensive remodeling. Contractors discovered it had 14 layers of old flooring that needed to be removed and a tree had actually grown through one side of the building.

“That was a nightmare,” Reeves said.

The transformation eventually was completed and Reeves hoped the market eventually would become a “go-to” destination where people could come for a cup of coffee and discover some of the traditional deli items upgraded with a gourmet touch.

The plan seems to be working.

“It can’t believe it’s been a year already,” Reeves said. “Business has been very good.”

Reeves decided early on that she wanted the market windows painted with seasonal themes and she knew just the man for the job. Her friend, Doug DePierro, has been an illustrator his entire life and has painted storefronts all over Putnam and Westchester counties.

Besides storefronts, DePierro also does sculptures, portraits (including horses and their owners) and home-improvement work.

“Right now, I am working right now at a mansion here in South Salem – just down the block [from the Spring Street Market] – where I am painting the fiberglass columns to make them look like marble,” he said.

Reeves said the store’s menu will change slightly to coincide with DePierro’s autumnal illustration.

“We will start to carry some seasonal items on the menu,” she said, “including things like pumpkin pie and squash soup.”

Outside, DePierro contemplated his window mural, which depicted a pumpkin patch and a scarecrow. He decided to add a crow to the scene.

“As you can see, the scarecrow is actually afraid of the crow,” he said, “not the other way around.”

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