Deidra’s Deli back in business

Reopened Jan. 15 after three months closed

By Dan Hammock • February 6, 2018 5:00 pm
DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD Deidra’s Deli owner Deidra Williamson stands in front of one of the many Marilyn Monroe posters in her diner with employee and daughter-in-law Stephanie Grove. The deli reopened in mid-January after being closed for three months while Williamson cared for her ailing mother.
DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD Deidra’s Deli owner Deidra Williamson stands in front of one of the many Marilyn Monroe posters in her diner with employee and daughter-in-law Stephanie Grove. The deli reopened in mid-January after being closed for three months while Williamson cared for her ailing mother.

Been craving a Nancy’s Favorite? Maybe an Inspector Clouseau? Good news, these sandwiches, and taco soup, and all your favorites are again available; Deidra’s Deli has reopened after a three-month shutdown.

Owner Deidra Williamson has run the popular Hoquiam Farmer’s Market eatery for 16 years, but was forced to close shop in mid-October when her mother, Ruth Strong, fell seriously ill.

“I closed the minute I found out (about the seriousness of her mother’s condition),” said Williamson. She focused all her energy on caring for her mother, who passed away Dec. 27. “I got through the service and decided it was time to open back up.”

Strong and her mother were among the founders of the market, and Deidra opened up the deli just after her daughter, at age 16, got into a serious automobile accident and needed her care. She had worked previously at the paper mill for many years.

It’s taking some time, but with the help of daughter-in-law and employee Stephanie Grove, Williamson is getting back in the flow of things.

“Everything is jumbled up in my head. Everything is fresh, new and sad,” she said.

While Williamson was caring for her mother and not working, she relied on family members financially. A friend started a GoFundMe page to raise money, which wound up taking in around $2,500. She spent $2,000 of it updating her Pepsi products and restocking her supplies.

“There was $500 left, so I decided to invite the community for free soup, cookies and a drink,” she said. On Jan. 12, she opened her doors for the event, which drew around 200 people. The soup was Deidra’s mom’s taco soup.

“My mom gave me that recipe the day I opened,” said Williamson. “We used to just serve it on Wednesdays but it got to be so popular we serve it every day.”

Williamson was humbled by the success of the GoFundMe page.

“I looked it up and I realized I don’t know half of the people who donated to get me going again,” she said. On Jan. 15, it was back to business as usual, for the most part.

Williamson said the restaurant will no longer be open Saturdays.

“Life is short,” she said. “None of us know how much time we have.” She will spend the extra day off gardening and spending time with her family.

Strong could be found at the market every Wednesday until her health deteriorated and she was no longer able to work. Williamson’s home sits adjacent to her parents’ house. In between the two is a commercial greenhouse, a project to provide vegetable starts and floral arrangements during the growing season. To carry on her mother’s name, Williamson has started putting it together and will go forward with the plan.

“She used to put together these beautiful floral arrangements and sell them at a reasonable price,” said Williamson. She would pick up vases cheap at the Salvation Army store to keep the costs down, she added.

Deidra’s Deli is located at 1958 Riverside Ave. in Hoquim and is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD The lunch rush at Deidras Deli ramps up around 11 a.m. as regulars and out-of-towners gather to feast on taco soup and huge deli sandwiches made by Deidra herself.

DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD The lunch rush at Deidras Deli ramps up around 11 a.m. as regulars and out-of-towners gather to feast on taco soup and huge deli sandwiches made by Deidra herself.

DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD The lunch rush at Deidras Deli ramps up around 11 a.m. as regulars and out-of-towners gather to feast on taco soup and huge deli sandwiches made by Deidra herself.

DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD The lunch rush at Deidras Deli ramps up around 11 a.m. as regulars and out-of-towners gather to feast on taco soup and huge deli sandwiches made by Deidra herself.