Cirelli’s Deli celebrates ribbon cutting in Hartville

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce held a Wednesday Morning CONNECTIONS Road Trip and ribbon cutting April 15 at Cirelli’s Deli, 510 S. Prospect Ave., Hartville. Sam Cirelli is the owner. Cirelli’s Deli opened in 2024 as an Italian delicatessen. The phone number is 330-933-6519, and the menu can be accessed at cirellideli.com.

Sam Cirelli loves to cook, although he has no culinary training. He was raised in Canton, graduated from GlenOak in 2007 and Ohio University in 2011.

Cirelli tried the corporate world in sales and construction. It gave him some experience in business, but his heart was not in it. Now he is doing what he wants to do. When he decided to open the deli, he wanted to locate in a small town.

He determined that Hartville was that place because the downtown area was thriving with its shops and known as a destination due to its antique and thrift shops and Hartville Hardware.

He wanted to be “the heartbeat of the community by serving consistent meals.” He bought the home two years ago, lives in the residence on the upper level, has the storefront at Prospect Street level and the kitchen in the lower level, which is a walkout to the parking lot behind the facility.

Joining him in this endeavor is Corynne LeBel, who has more than 10 years of experience in various restaurants and food establishments. The recipes used come from family, friends and his own creations, along with ideas from a friend who is a trained chef.

The deli is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, they offer a hot food bar from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a quick lunch. Seating is available at a small bar. The menu is extensive, featuring sandwiches and pizza served all day. Customers can choose from specialty pizzas or build their own using hand-tossed dough, homemade sauces, cheeses and toppings. The sandwich menu also offers build-your-own options with meats, cheeses and homemade dressings. The most popular sandwich is the “Godfather,” which includes ham, salami, pepperoni, capicola and a mozzarella-provolone cheese blend with homemade Italian dressing. Salads, daily homemade soups, dinners, pastas and pasta bakes, and desserts are also offered, including chocolate-dipped cannoli.

Their motto is “Cured with Love, Served with Passion.” Another phrase featured on their logo plays off the Latin phrase “Veni Vidi Vici,” replacing “Vici” with “Mangia,” meaning “to eat,” for a humorous take: “I came, I saw, I ate.”

Currently, about 90% of business is carryout or dine-in and 10% is catering, though catering is expected to grow. Online ordering is coming soon, and for now customers are encouraged to call ahead for pickup. The deli also offers party trays and custom lunches. Breads are sourced from the Brimfield Bread Oven, meats from Duma Meats and seasonal produce from Pegasus Farm.

Cirelli said, “We are incredibly grateful for the love and support from this amazing community. Your encouragement means everything to us. Thank you for letting us do what we love — feeding you like family — and we look forward to serving you for many years to come.”