Apr 7, 2024 By Paul Paterra 3 min read

Deborah Furbee is pleasantly surprised at how well the new business that bears her name – Miss Debbie’s Deli – has done since opening last month in Washington Crown Center mall’s food court.

The recipes are the same she used at B&K Market & Deli, which was located at North Main Street and East Hallam Avenue in Washington but has since closed due to the pandemic.

“I didn’t think it would go this well, to be honest,” Furbee said recently. “I’m not anybody special. It’s humbling. I am still floored by the response we’ve gotten from everybody. Apparently, everybody just loves my cooking.”

Miss Debbie’s Deli is owned by Furbee and her husband, Eric, along with her daughter and son-in-law, Tiffany and Brandon Frazee. Furbee makes all of the food on site.

She’s been cooking for many years, but this is her first venture into ownership.

B&K Market was owned by her brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Becky Moskal, for five or six years.

The Washington woman recalls youngsters coming into the market and asking for Miss Debbie, inquiring about the availability of certain foods. Kids were there regularly because the parking lot served as a school bus stop.

Miss Debbie’s Deli features made-to-order sandwiches and various types of salads. On a recent day, a 20-pound batch of ham salad sold out in about 90 minutes. There also is a hot food special about every day.

Even though she is involved with the deli, Furbee will continue working for the Washington Senior Center, something she has done for about 10 years.

“We do the Meals on Wheels, which I love and won’t give up,” she said. “It’s a much-needed program in Washington County. I work with my seniors from 8 to 1 and come down Chestnut Street and I’m here before 1:30 and stay till 7.”

Furbee said many of her former customers remembered her from B&K and would ask her to make them food.

“It got to the point where I couldn’t keep up,” Furbee said. “Every day I was making something for somebody and I could not keep it straight.”

She felt the best way to rectify this situation was to open a business. The opening date, March 23, was a special one – her mother’s birthday.

“I thought what a great day to start,” Furbee said.

So far, so great.

“It’s been busy,” said Tiffany Frazee. “Everybody seems to be pretty excited that her recipes are back, her food is back. That’s what we keep hearing from everyone. We’ve had some people saying that they grew up with this food. It feels like home. It feels like childhood. It’s nostalgic for them.”

The deli is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

“I love cooking,” Furbee said. “I haven’t worked a day in my life. I love it. I wouldn’t do anything but. I do it all day long.”

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