FRONTENAC, Kan. — One month has passed since Destry Brown officially took ownership of Palluccas, the historic meat and deli market located at 207 E. McKay Street in Frontenac.
“People are just so excited that it's going to continue to be viable and continue to be a part of the community,” Brown said. “Paluccas has always been one of the pillars of Frontenac downtown, and so I've had so many people just come in and thank me for doing good and keeping it going.”
Brown said he grew attached to the deli and Richard “Dick” Pallucca when he was school superintendent for Frontenac USD 249, then later Pittsburg USD 250. He spent many hours working and cutting meat just to help Pallucca. The two became good friends. When Pallucca died in 2013, Brown wanted to buy the business, but it couldn’t be arranged at that time. Now the stars have aligned.
One of the biggest assurances Brown has for his customers is that no recipes are changing, and all mainstay items will remain.
Since taking ownership of the deli, Brown has noticed the popularity of grab-and-go meals and dinners. In the coming months, he wants to expand that portion of his business. He is also hoping to soon sell locally sourced chicken.
A struggle, Brown said, is ensuring he has placed enough product orders to keep the shelves stocked. He said he hates hearing they have run out of a product, but he feels confidant that he is learning and getting better at placing orders.
Brown has watched many of his family members start their own businesses, including his parents who have owned a boutique in downtown Fort Scott for more than 50 years. At one point, Brown was part owner of a t-shirt company, but this is his first venture into running this type of business.
Palluccas’ patrons have been nothing but patient and supportive to Brown.
“The goodwill and support from people that come in has been really great,” Brown said. “Everybody that comes in is just appreciative and thankful that I'm here, and we're doing this. My wife and I are learning as we go, but you know, I think a lot of times if you can take care of the people side and then people have a lot more grace.”
Brown said he is happy to continue the business that has been in Frontenac for the community, and he believes places like Palluccas are essential and important in small towns. Palluccas was first opened by Attilio Pallucca and Enrico Moriconi in 1909 on Cherokee Street, and then moved to its current location in 1930.
“This place has always just been near to my heart, because of Dick,” he said. “I love the feel of small communities, small towns. When I travel, I like to get out of the way to small-town places where I eat and do things, and I just think it's great. I like that family atmosphere, and that's kind of the Pallucca tradition, too. When you're in Palluccas, you're part of the family, that's just how we want to continue to operate.”
At age 63, Brown said he should be retiring, but instead he can be found behind the deli counter nearly every day. He said working in the store keeps him engaged and productive and allows him to be part of the community.
“I really enjoy the people more than anything,” he said. “That's been a lot of fun.”
Palluccas is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.
