East Side Kosher Deli Prepares for Next Phase

Joshua “Shua” Horowitz, owner of the East Side Kosher Deli in Denver, is selling the business to a community-based group of investors. The business will remain open while the sale is completed.

As the only glatt kosher restaurant for 700 miles in any direction, East Side Kosher Deli has been an important fixture in the Denver Jewish community for over 35 years. Horowitz is actually the third owner of the business, purchasing it in 2015 from Marcy and Michael Schreiber.

Boulder Jewish News asked Shua Four Questions about the Deli:

1. The word is out that you are selling East Side Kosher Deli after 11 years — why now? 

I am selling, this is something that has been in the works for a number of months. It has been 11 years of long hours and tremendous accomplishments, and the next phase of the deli is coming. The buyers are community minded people whose focus is invest, build and grow the deli and they are in a great position to build and grow the deli with and for the community.

2. We’re glad to hear that ESKD is remaining open!  What kind of changes are in store from the new owners?

The specifics I will leave for them, but in our conversations, they have discussed expanding on everything. Being the premier community day to day Kosher grocery to the exclusive high end specialty meat provider. Opening up the community to opportunities to experience every aspect of Kosher food. New restaurant options, expanded catering, specialty imported items.

3. Many of our Boulder readers may not be aware of how central ESKD has been in Denver Jewish life — can you tell them a little of the history and how you came to be involved in 2015?

A little over 12 years ago a member of the Denver community with whom I have a relationship mentioned that the deli was for sale. I had some food service background but I was out of the business for a while. He mentioned that my passion for food and my positive customer service oriented background would do well. At first I laughed it off, I wasn’t in the market to purchase a food business, I had never been to Denver and I certainly hadn’t even considered moving here, ever. But after a few visits and seeing the potential and the community I moved forward with the purchase. I instantly fell in love with both the challenges and opportunities to engage the different communities and address each of their needs and soon found myself a true part of the

4. What are some of the challenges of maintaining a Glatt Kosher restaurant, grocery, butcher and bakery at the edge of the Rocky Mountains?

I think the largest challenge I faced was working with the full broad Jewish community and having every part of the community recognize that they play a key role in success of all the Kosher establishments. Often time we in the Kosher businesses in smaller communities are seen as just being there for when people need it rather than being seen as crucial for the long term sustainability of the community. There are a number of people including myself who have and are investing in Kosher establishments and they need everyone’s support!  I worked hard to address this with community leaders and we made much headway, but I really think that the message should be, these small businesses need constant support from our entire community so they can be available when those communities need them.

Beyond this the other challenges are ones I embraced, and overcame and was supported with many of the endeavors, I is and has been a superb honor to be a part of this. What I hope and pray will happen next is that everyone will rally behind the next phase, embrace and support everyone working to invest in our community to ensure its growth!

For more context, read the full story here at the Denver Post online.