Shirley May's Deli and Catering featured in Hays Daily News

By JUDY SHERARD   jsherard@dailynews.net

STOCKTON -- Stepping into Shirley May's Deli and Catering almost is like visiting the neighborhood store of yesteryear.

Aromas from the open kitchen fill the air of the comfortable country-style establishment where most customers are greeted by name. "I like all of the old things. Everything in here is things we bought used, including an old counter from the Rooks County Bakery," said Cheryl Hrabe, who owns and operates the business along with her husband, Rusty Hrabe. "I enjoy getting the old things and fixing them up and being able to use them."

The couple opened the deli at 303 Main about a year ago as an offshoot of Webster's Supermarket, which they also own and operate. "Shirley May was my mother, and I just miss her. She was the inspiration. She taught us kids how to cook, and we had to get by on a little of nothing, and (she) deserved to have it named after her," Cheryl said.

However, the business actually started eight years ago in the meat department of Webster's, where Rusty has worked since he was a teenager when his grandfather, Howard Webster, owned the store. The Hrabes bought their partner's interest and became sole owners a little more than a year ago, Cheryl said.

As the deli and catering department grew, they ran out of room with five people trying to work in the store's meat department, she said. They either had to do more business by opening a deli or quit catering, she said. "Try cooking for 300 people out of a roaster," Rusty said.

When the building that housed the former Dino Discount convenience store just down the street from the grocery store came on the market, they bought it. It took a year to renovate the building with her dad, Jim Axelson, Cheryl said. It's a natural location for the deli and gives plenty of room to prepare food for the catering side of the business. "We can go out the back door and grab the needed supplies quickly," she said.

Besides Cheryl, the business has two full-time and three part-time employees. "Once in awhile, we'll have somebody from the store come over and help, too. This is part of that store as well," she said. Connected to the store by intercom, customers grocery shopping can place their deli order with the clerk and have it added to their shopping total. When they're finished shopping, they stop by the deli and pick up their selection.

Homemade breakfast burritos and biscuits and gravy are on the breakfast menu, Cheryl said. A variety of meats, including ham, roast beef, turkey and pastrami, can be sliced and wrapped for take home or made into deli sandwiches, along with a selection of cheeses. There's a special every day, such as a BLT with cottage bacon smoked on the grill or chicken quesadillas. "On Friday's, we always do barbecue, brisket, chickens, sandwiches," Cheryl said. "We do get pretty busy."

One of their largest catering functions is the Pheasants Forever banquet, but they also cater other events. The catering menu is centered on the grill and might include ham, bacon-wrapped pork loin or stuffed chicken breast, along with side dishes.

Besides sandwiches, the deli offers fresh salads such as cucumber, potato and macaroni, and customers can make their own choices with the recently added salad bar, Cheryl said. "I love to cook. I don't do as much at home. Rusty has to come over here to find supper rather than at home," she said.

Shoppers also can pick up olive oils, veggie trays, pickled eggs and rotisserie chicken.

The exterior still features the large concrete area, but the gas pumps have been removed and replaced with plants and flowers. They fit well with the super market's greenhouse on the west side of the building. Customers can browse in the greenhouse and make their selection but are asked to leave plants outside while they shop in the deli.

The deli is open 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.