A Story With Local Flavor And NYC Style

ALBANY, NY (05/20/2008)(readMedia)-- Old World Provisions, Inc., of Albany, NY today will cut the ribbon (actually, a chain of hot dog links) on its first ever retail outlet store branded as Old World Provisions Outlet.

Located in downtown Albany’s historic South End, Old World Provisions is a manufacturer of authentic New York deli meat products. For over 60 years and four generations, the company has been supplying “Best-in-Class” pastrami, corned beef and beef tongue to the finest and most famous delis across the country. Now with the opening of the Old World Provisions Outlet store, located adjacent to the company’s plant, the public can purchase these prized meats by the pound, hot and sliced to order. In addition, the store offers real NY rye bread, deli mustard, deli pickles and Dr. Brown’s soda – all selected because they are the same products found in NYC’s iconic delicatessens. The store will also market hot dogs, salami, beef bacon and beef tongue.

Old World CEO Mark S. Shuket commented, “Our desire to open this store was based on several key motivators. The unit will serve as a test kitchen for our manufacturing operations, enabling us to continue to produce the very best products for our wholesale accounts. The store also serves as a training center for our food service customers who will be guided through the process of preparing and serving our meats. And finally the opportunity to face the public directly with our product, gives us primary consumer research.”

Today’s ribbon-cutting, scheduled for 11AM, will host a wide array of local and state elected officials as well as representatives from economic development agencies such as the NYS Agriculture and Markets’ Pride of New York program and the Downtown Albany BID. Product sampling throughout the day will be part of the celebration.

Shuket went on to say, “Every item we sell is real New York deli. The bread is baked at Rockland Bakery - supplier to most of NY’s best delis, the pickles are shipped fresh to us from The Pickle Guys on NY’s lower east side and our mustard is the famous Gold’s brand made in Brooklyn. Our menu is the real thing. Not that driving to New York City is such a bad way to spend the day, but with gasoline at over $4.00 a gallon, the drive to downtown Albany is a lot easier and less expensive.”

About Old World Provisions The company began as State National Provisions on Westerlo Street in Albany, NY in 1942. Shuket purchased the company in 1991 and merged it with his JoMar Provisions a Bronx, NY meat processing company he founded with his father in 1981. The new company emerged as Old World Provisions. Today, Mr. Shuket’s sons Seth and Ross are members of the company’s management team and represent the fourth generation to be in the meat business. Mr. Shuket’s grandfather was the General Manager of the Hebrew National brand

Recently, the company completed the acquisition of the highly regarded Fritz Helmbold hot dog plant and outlet market in Troy, NY.

The company employs nearly 50 between its Albany and Troy operations.

Additional information can be found at: Old World Provisions Outlet - pastramiandcornedbeefoutlet.com Old World Provisions, Inc. – pastramiandcornedbeef.com Fritz Helmbold Brand – helmbolds.com

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Downtown Albany Business Improvement District The Downtown Albany BID, incorporated in 1996, is a private, not-for profit 501© (3) organization that works to restore, promote and maintain the character and viability of downtown Albany and to improve the quality of life and overall image of downtown for all those who work in, live in and visit the Capital City. Ample public parking is available at downtown’s public garages, lots and on-street metered spaces. Metered parking is free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all weekends. For information about the Downtown Albany BID, call (518) 465-2143 or visit www.downtownalbany.org.