For the last 10 years,
Marcella and Matt McManus have savored delicious hoagies from the neighborhood
eatery, Giuliano’s
Deli.
Located just two blocks from their Glenside home, the couple became regulars at
the local spot specializing in Italian hoagies, a variety of hot and cold
sandwiches and beer.
When owners Rose and
Tony Giuliano announced they were retiring from the business that their parents
started in January 1982, Marcella and Matt jumped at the chance to take the
reins.
“We didn’t want somebody
to come in and take over and change the whole vibe,” Marcella said. “We started
talking to the owner and she started to consider what (selling the business)
would look like.”
The couple sought
guidance from SCORE Bucks County mentor Steve Wolfson, who has 40 years’
experience in wholesale distribution and has expertise in starting multiple
business locations.
Wolfson connected them
with an attorney to help with the business acquisition, as well as a business
insurance broker. He also prepared them for what questions to ask, what to look
for, and made them aware of “warning signs” to consider when purchasing a
business.
“He was a great sounding
board,” Matt said. “Steve was phenomenal.”
SCORE volunteers provide
no-cost mentoring services throughout the life of a business based on an
individual business or entrepreneur’s unique needs.
Wolfson is confident the
new business owners will continue the successful tradition of the beloved deli.
“During the process of
negotiating the sell price, and reviewing the financial picture, current and
past, Marcella worked part-time there learning every part of the business in
advance of the sale,” Wolfson said. “They were great to mentor and worked very
hard to make this happen.”
Going forward, Marcella
said Wolfson will help keep the business owners on track – which given how busy
they have been since taking the helm in October – will be an important feat.
“I look forward to the
accountability of him helping us,” Marcella said. “I can see at least for
myself it would be very easy to put that on the backburner.”
Matt, a full-time
software engineer by day, will oversee evenings at the business and beer sales.
Coming on the heels of an extremely busy October as the Phillies competed in
the World Series, Matt would like to offer more beer-focused events.
Marcella, who helped her
family run their soft pretzel business, Country Twist LLC, throughout high school,
and college, is excited to expand the deli’s menu offerings.
“The menu is great
as-is. They have the best hoagies around,” she said, adding that developing a
vegetarian hoagie, rotating in seasonal specials, and offering more soup
options for fall and winter are priorities.
The new owners are
following the adage, “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” when it comes to the
deli.
“The allure of a small business
is to be part of the community,” Matt said. “There are folks who are coming in
who are in their 60s who have been coming as kids.”
Reflecting on the myriad
aspects of the acquisition process, Matt emphasized the importance of taking
one step at a time and keeping a narrow focus. And when several of the
processes presented them with uncertainty and worry, he said they were relieved
to “fall back on Steve.”
“I know I have someone
in my court that’s advocating for me,” he said. “It makes it that much less
challenging.”
About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more
than 11 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE provides small business
mentoring and workshops to more than 375,000 new and growing small
businesses.?With more than 70 members across Bucks and Eastern Montgomery
counties, SCORE Bucks?County?provides over 4,300 free
mentoring services annually to local small business owners
through one-on-one counseling and small business seminars. To stay up to
date on news and happenings, join SCORE Bucks County’s email list. Text
SCOREBUCKS to 22828.
