Photo by Naomi Shertzer for The Lafayette

Josie’s New York Deli was remodeled last year.

Craving New York-style food without the drive? Look no further than Josie’s New York Deli, located close to home in Easton’s center square.

The owner, Josie Koury, has run the deli for 40 years.

“I am very proud,” Koury said. “People, they know me from a long time ago and they still come and ask to talk to me.”

Josie’s Deli shut down in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, which created the perfect chance for long-awaited remodeling to be done. The makeover was completed last year.

“Before, I didn’t have the equipment to cook,” Koury said. “Now we have a stove, we have a kitchen.”

Additional renovations included knocking down a wall to create more seating area.

“When I go in there, I can see it in the old version that it used to be,” said Rebecca Koury ’25, the elder Koury’s granddaughter. “I’ll miss certain things about the old deli, but overall, I feel like the change needed to happen. It was long overdue.”

Along with these changes to the interior layout, the deli moved from a “1970s retro look” to a more minimalist style, with black and white tiles mimicking that of a subway station.

“It kind of plays into the whole New York theme,” Rebecca Koury said.

Despite the many changes to the space itself, the variety of sandwich options and side items offered at Josie’s Deli remain a staple among the community, with the most beloved being the chicken salad.

“I got this recipe and I did it myself,” Josie Koury said. “I didn’t copy it from anybody.”

The other characteristic of Josie’s Deli that has remained the same throughout all of the recent changes is simply the enjoyment both Josie Koury and her customers get out of visiting the deli.

“People love to come and see us … and I love them all,” Josie Koury said. “I’ve never had any problems with my customers.”

Josie Koury hopes that with the new updates to the space, more Lafayette students will stop by during lunchtime to enjoy a sandwich and relax in the freshly renovated space.

“I would like to invite all the students from Lafayette College to come over to see the deli,” Josie Koury said. “We’re going to serve you the best.”